SOCI 2012 - Social Research
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code SOCI 2012 Course Social Research Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Incompatible GWSI 2015, GWSI 2110, GWSI 3015, GSSA 2110 Assessment Group activities (including workshop attendance, participation and online tasks) 30%, Research exercise (1,000 words) 30%, Discourse analysis (2,000 words) 40% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell
Dr Ruthie O'Reilly is the Course Cooradinator for SOCI 2012 Social Research in Semester 2 2017. Please contact her on ruthie.oreilly@adelaide.edu.auCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
Understand the purpose of social research and its potential to investigate contemporary social issues through both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Identify the range of methods, techniques and skills used in contemporary social research and their capacity to solve specific social problems.
Demonstrate skills in social science methods including the ethical and practical aspects of researching social problems, critical reading, reflection and analytical writing.
Work with others in the exploration of ideas and to collectively develop arguments and negotiate solutions to problems.
Undertake a research project including formulating a research problem and its key questions, investigating the problem and analysing the results.
Present research findings in a coherently argued written report and engage in critical debate.
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)
1,2,3 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
2,3,4,5,6 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 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
2,3,4 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
3,4,5 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Walter, M (2013) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Recommended Resources
Gray, D. (2009) Doing research in the real world. London: Sage.
Neuman, W. (2006) Social research methods. Boston: Pearson International.Online Learning
Lectures, handouts, links to further readings, websites and updates will be posted to the MyUNi course site available via the MyUni link. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
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.
WORKLOAD - STRUCTURED LEARNING
TOTAL HOURS
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
WORKLOAD - SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
TOTAL HOURS
3 hours assignment preparation per week
36 hours per semester
7 hours reading/research per week
84 hours per semester
TOTAL: 156 hours per semester
Learning Activities Summary
1 Definitions & Beginnings 2 social Research with Aboriginal Communities 3 Participant Observation 4 Surveys & Questionnaires 5 Participant Observation Exercise 6 Analysing Quantitative Data 7 The Why's and Wherefore's of Doing Interviews 8 Analysing Qualitative Data 9 Analysing Texts 10 Using Social Theory - The 'So What' Question 11 Reporting on your Findings Small Group Discovery Experience
Weekly workshops provide opportunities to put new knowledge and skills into practice in fun and meaningful ways. Activities in workshops are group based. -
Assessment
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)
Workshop Attendance and Participation
Formative & Summative
30%
1,2,3,4
Online Quizzes x 3
Formative & Summative
15%
1000 word research exercise
Formative & Summative
15%
3,5,6
2000 discourse analysis
Summative
40%
3,5,6
Assessment Related Requirements
Students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass this course.Assessment Detail
Workshops: Participation in workshops is a key feature of this course as they provide opportunities to explore ideas, theories and examples in the readings and lectures - 30% weighting
Research Exercise: This is a research exercise to put into practice a research skill that you have learnt in the first few weeks of the course. This includes an activity on campus, where you conduct a participant observation exercise, and write this up as a short report - 15% weighting.
Content & Discourse Analysis: In this assignment you can choose an issue or controversy and explore the way it is represented in the media over a period of time. This is an independent learning project, where you will be supported to conduct your own textual analysis - 40% weighting.
Online Quizzes: Students are required to complete 3 x online quizzes during the semester. These quizzes will be based on lecture content and required reading from the textbook – 15% weighting.
Submission
No information currently available.
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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
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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