Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the world of social research. It answers questions about how to understand, interpret, and collect data, and explores the research methods used to investigate and solve social problems. The unit covers a wide range of social research approaches, and illustrates how these can be used to address specific, real-world problems. The unit includes an introduction to how to establish a research question, select appropriate methods for investigation, collect and analyse data, draw conclusions from research findings, and present results. The unit will allow students to discuss approaches to conducting research across different fields of study and real-world contexts. These include health, education, business, sociology, criminology, social work, government, police studies, media, geography and psychology. The unit will provide a foundation for studying further research approaches in different disciplines, developing basic skills for undertaking research in the workplace, and for higher level studies in 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	Explain the social research process.
2	Differentiate between social research approaches and methods.
3	Apply social research method/s to a range of complex social problems and issues.
4	Communicate research and research findings clearly for academic and non-academic audiences.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HGA303 AND HGA203 XBR212

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In 2024, the unit curriculum, schedule, and assessments were altered in light of program changes. This involved cross-disciplinary discussions in the School of Social Sciences (involving sociologists, criminologists and social workers primarily). The unit changes were positively received by students. In professional reflections, the teaching team have altered the "assignment" task for 2025 from a written task to an oral assessment task. This aids to vary the assessment format and skill sets. Your professional feedback will assist us to evaluate this change and to reflect on future iterations of the unit.

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:	Quiz	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Assignment	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Tutorial / Discussions Participation	Week 12	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Plan	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quiz

Task Description:

During the unit, you will complete three online quizzes. These are open book quizzes, meaning you can refer to the unit materials during the test. This task is designed to help you assess your own progress in the unit, and your understanding of key concepts from the unit. Once you open the quiz, you must complete it. Once you have completed the test, you will not be able to change your answers or resubmit it; there is one attempt only. You will receive your result when you have submitted the quiz (MyLO > Grades). Feedback will be released after all eligible students have completed the quiz.

If you have a LAP, you may be entitled to more time on this assessment item. It is your responsibility to discuss this with the unit coordinator in advance. To arrange this, please ensure the unit coordinator has an electronic copy of your LAP at least one week prior to the opening date of the first quiz.

Quiz 1 will cover Weeks 1 to 4. It will consist of 5 questions and is worth 5%. You have 10 minutes to complete Quiz 1.
Quiz 2 will cover Weeks 5 to 8. It will consist of 10 questions and is worth 10%. You have 15 minutes to complete Quiz 2.
Quiz 3 will cover Weeks 9 to 12. It will consist of 10 questions and is worth 10%. You have 15 minutes to complete Quiz 3.

Task Length:

25 multiple choice questions

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Differentiate between social research approaches and methods	LO2
2	Identify the applicability and relevance of research methods for the investigation of social problems and issues	LO3
3	Outline the social research process	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Assignment

Task Description:

You are part of a collaborative team who have recently released some new research findings. Your team have been contacted by the ABC to do a short radio interview, and you have been asked to do the interview and represent the research.

For this assessment task, you need to pretend you are being interviewed by ABC radio. You will be record your pretend radio recording for this assessment task.

More information on this task and how to format it will be provided on MyLO.

Remember: you are not actually doing an interview with ABC. The intent of this assessment task is to examine your ability to translate empirical research to non-academic audiences in an engaging, brief, and accessible manner.

Task Length:

10 minutes (approx. and maximum)

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain research in clear and appropriate language for a non-academic audience	LO4
2	Outline the relevance and application of social research approaches to a contemporary social issue	LO2
3	Explain social research findings	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial / Discussions Participation

Task Description:

Participation in in-person tutorials (on-campus students) or Zoom tutorials and/or Discussion forums (omline students) throughout the semester. Note that you are being assessed on participation, not attendance. Further details will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

Actively participate in at least 6 tutorials or Discussion forums. Further details will be provided on MyLO.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain different dimensions of the research process	LO1
2	Differentiate social research approaches and methods	LO2
3	Discuss and apply suitable social research methods to a range of social issues and problems	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Plan

Task Description:

This task requires you to write a research proposal. A research proposal is a plan for conducting research (including a justification of key elements of that plan). You do not need to conduct the research: this is a proposal only.

In completing this task, you will build your knowledge of designing research; the practicalities and implications of methods choices; the relationship between different elements of research design; and writing research proposals and plans.

Your research proposal must have a framework reflective of the social sciences. More information on this task and how to format it will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the social research process in detail	LO1
2	Identify why the selected social research methods are appropriate for the proposed research	LO2
3	Describe the research topic	LO3
4	Justify the proposed research including the significance	LO1
5	Explain relevant ethical issues	LO1, LO2, LO3
6	Communicate in accordance with academic standards including to an academic audience	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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.