SOCI 3010 - Social Research Advanced: Real World Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

The aim of Social Research Advanced level is to apply students' knowledge and understanding of research - how and why it is done and to expose students to different theoretical perspectives and methodologies employed by researchers in conducting social research. Students will undertake an independent research project from design (formulate a research question, the methods used to obtain data, fieldwork, the interpretation of data collected and the writing up of research findings). Students will also be taught about ethical considerations in social research and how the research findings inform social change.

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Course Details

Course Code	SOCI 3010
Course	Social Research Advanced: Real World Practice
Coordinating Unit	Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 6 unitsof level 2 undergraduate study
Incompatible	GWSI 3017, GSSA 3017, GSSA 3018
Assumed Knowledge	Broad understanding of Social Research Methods
Assessment	Oral presentation 10%, Literature review (1,500 words) 25%, Ethics application (750 words) 20%, Final research paper (3,500 words) 45%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

	Describe the purpose of a Literature Review and recognise the need for and components of an Ethics Application as required in any Social Research project.
	Locate, analyse and synthesise academic literature into a Literature Review, and develop a research question in a timely and effective manner.
	Develop a research question and design an independent research project including an Ethics Application, survey and interview instruments.
	Recruit research participants using online survey generators and social media.
	Conduct face to face research interviews according to social, cultural and ethical protocols and with professional integrity.
	Analyse quantitative and qualitative data and communicate the findings through a research report and oral presentation.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,2,6
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	2,3,4,6
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	4,5
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1,2,3,4,5,6
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	3
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	2,3,4,5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Social Research Methods, edited by Maggie Walter, South Melbourne: Oxford University Press, Second Edition 2010 or Third Edition 2013. The book is available from the Co-Op and there are three copies in the Barr Smith Library.

Online Learning

Additional course-related material is available through MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Structured Learning

1 x 1 hour lecture (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
1 x 2 hour workshop (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester

Self Directed Learning

8 hours reading per week	96 hours per semester
15 hours assignment preparation per week (average)	180 hours per semester

Total: 156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1	Introduction
Week 2	Conducting an Independent Research Project
Week 3	Social Research Skills in the Workplace
Week 4	Writing a Literature Review
Week 5	Preparing a Research Proposal
Week 6	Ethical Dimensions
Week 7	Sampling & Surveys
Week 8	Respectful Interviewing
Week 9	Analysing Quantitative Data
Week 10	Analysing Qualitative Data
Week 11	Presenting Findings
Week 12	Writing a Research Report

Specific Course Requirements

This course requires students to carry out their own fieldwork. Students will be implementing a survey, and they will be conducting three face-to-face interviews on the North Terrace campus of the University of Adelaide. Participants in both the surveys and interviews will be current University of Adelaide students. Step by step guidance will be provided by the Course Coordinator.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
Oral presentation	Formative and Summative	10%	3,4,5,6
1500 word literature review	Formative and Summative	25%	2
750 word Ethics Application	Formative and Summative	20%	3
3500 final research paper	Formative and Summative	45%	3,4,5,6

Assessment Detail

Oral Presentation (10%)
Students are required to briefly summarise and present their research project and findings to date.

750 word ethics application, survey and interview instrument (20%)
Students are required to complete a pre-designed Ethics Application as approval from an Ethics Committee is an important component of any social research project. In preparation for fieldwork, students are also required to submit the survey they have designed and the interview guide they have prepared.

1000 word literature review (25%)
Students are required to write a 1500 word review of the academic literature in preparation for the research project.

3500 word final research paper (45%)
This is a written report on the entire project, including an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

Submission

All written assignments need to be submitted electronically, using MyUni

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator