Unit Outline

Qualitative Research Methods provides Honours, Masters and HDR candidates with grounding in qualitative research methodologies and associated methods. Students will develop abilities in framing research questions; developing, critiquing and applying qualitative research methodologies; defending method choice; and the practicalities of method use such as interviewing. The unit is based on an expectation that students will engage in close and critical reading of key texts; participate in class discussion and group work; and position their own research in relation to historic and current trends in qualitative research. Students’ own research will be central to class-based discussion, and students are expected to demonstrate a developing research methodology specific to their own research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Evaluate qualitative research methodologies relevant to your research
2.	Justify the selection and application of qualitative research methods to your research
3.	Analyse your qualitative research taking into account ethics, representation, legitimacy, validity, and trustworthiness
4.	Frame your research in relation to historic and current trends in qualitative research

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Methodology outline/plan	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Methodology seminar and peer review	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Methodology essay	Refer to Assessment Description	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Methodology outline/plan

Task Description:

For this task you will produce an outline/plan of your essay for Assessment Task 3 detailing how, given the specifics of your research project and your disciplinary field, you will address the assessment criteria for Assessment Task 3 (the methodology essay).
Please see MyLO for assessment details.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Produce an essay outline/plan to evaluate qualitative research methodologies and methods	LO1, LO2
2	Produce an essay outline/plan that engages with issues of ethics, representation, legitimacy, validity and trustworthiness	LO3
3	Produce an essay outline/plan that positions your use of qualitative research within relevant traditions	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Methodology seminar and peer review

Task Description:

There are two interrelated aims for this task: (1) to articulate your developing qualitative research methodology via an oral presentation and discussion; and (2) to develop skills in critiquing the methodologies of peers and offering constructive feedback, using the template provided.
Assessment details are provided in MyLO.

Task Length:

15-minute seminar & 1-page peer review per student

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain your research project, including its significance, and outline your key research question/s or aim/s	LO1, LO4
2	Outline your ontological, epistemological and axiological position and their implications for your qualitative research practice	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Discuss methodological challenges you face and frame these in the context of qualitative research	LO3, LO4
4	Provide opportunity to engage in discussion and debate with colleagues	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Methodology essay

Task Description:

You are asked to prepare an essay about the development of your research
methodology, including your research ontology, epistemology, axiology and methods.
Please see MyLO for additional assessment details.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Position your qualitative research in relation to relevant historic and current trends.	LO4
2	Apply critical reflexivity to methodologies relevant to your research project.	LO1
3	Articulate a justification and explanation of your choice in methods.	LO2
4	Discuss issues of representation and legitimation.	LO3
5	Describe how you are ensuring validity and trustworthiness in your research.	LO3
6	Write a scholarly work of academic standard, including the correct use of the English language and appropriate referencing style (Harvard).	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.