1	Understand basic methods and techniques of data analysis in the social sciences and the ways in which they can be used in research.
2	Develop skills in analysing and interpreting social, demographic and economic data, such as the Australian Census of Population and Housing, to competently present data by means of tables and graphs.
3	Perform descriptive statistics, statistical testing, and multiple regress analysis of survey data using SPSS software.
4	Develop an awareness of the social applications of geographical information systems (GIS) in mapping and interpreting spatial variations in social, demographic and economic data.
5	Develop skills in selecting the appropriate techniques for various types of data, and presenting results of data analysis with high quality written skills.

Publications relating to the content of the census and other information relating to surveys and data sources provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) can be found on the ABS website at: http://www.abs.gov.au

Detailed online teaching/learning materials (including learning objectives, concepts, and readings suggested) will be delivered via MyUni on a weekly basis. Online materials will provide fundamental information on data and techniques of analysis in the social sciences, introducing social and demographic issues, measurement, sources of data, analysis, interpretation and presentation. Such materials will also reflect layered levels of students in terms of their knowledge basis, disciplinary diversity, and skill levels. Two-Hour Practical Workshops at a computer per week are built upon basic understandings of online teaching/learning materials and follow a sequence of 3 Modules. The first module, based on 2016 Census data, examines population and socio-economic trends using EXCEL to show social indicators, tables and graphs. The second module is based on the collection of survey data and analysis using SPSS to provide descriptive statistical analysis
and explanation. The third module focuses upon regression analysis of survey data using SPSS to develop skills in regression analysis and interpretation of results.

WORKLOAD – STRUCTURED LEARNING	TOTAL HOURS
1 x 1-hour online teaching/learning per week	12 hours per semester
1 x 2-hour computer workshop per week	22 hours per semester
WORKLOAD – SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING	TOTAL HOURS
6 hours reading per week	72 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
	TOTAL = 160 hours per semester

Schedule

Week 1	Social Science research: Introduction; Secondary data sources
Week 2	The Australian Census: applying census data to social sciences study; Data analysis, research report writing and presentation
Week 3	Demographic applications in Social Science research: family and household change; Social indicators
Week 4	Quantitative and qualitative measurement
Week 5	Survey techniques: sampling and questionnaire design; Ethics in research
Week 6	Descriptive analysis of survey data I
Week 7	Descriptive analysis of survey data II
Week 8	Bi-variate analysis and hypothesis testing using SPSS
Week 9	Correlation and linear regression as analytical techniques; Multi-variate analysis
Week 10	Non-linear regression; Mixed methods
Week 11	Doing Qualitative Research: Discourse Analysis, Focus Group and Interviews; GIS & social sciences: examples
Week 12	Course summary & Exam preparation

A course requirement is that students submit all three Workshop Assignments. Attendance and satisfactory participation in the Workshops is a major component of the course. Failure to attend them will make it very difficult to pass this subject and could preclude you from undertaking the exam.

This course is designed to encompass focussed computer workshops to develop skills in data analysis and presentation with small group discovery around interpretation of the outcomes.

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Workshop participation	Formative and Summative	10%	1-5
Workshop assessment tasks	Formative and Summative	50%	1-5
2-hour take-home final exam	Summative	40%	1-5

N/A

Ongoing Workshop Participation (10%):
Students MUST attend and participate in practical workshops. Students are required to notify the Course Co-ordinator as soon as possible if they have to miss a workshop. You need written evidence (e.g. medical certificate; note from employer; counsellor’s letter) if you have to miss more than one. Students are expected to be well prepared for each workshop and to actively participate. 

During the online teaching/learning process, students have opportunities to self-manage and undertake a range of learning activities which will be designed to assess ongoing learning of what are the key concepts, techniques, and issues discussed throughout the course. Development of oral and aural skills will be an important part of this assessment.

Importantly, please note that although this allocation is 10% only, evidence shows that students who commit to regular attendance and engage with the course via active participation, often get up to 10/10 for this assessment component and that this can make the difference of up to a grade level if done well (i.e. Pass to Credit, Credit to Distinction, Distinction to High Distinction). 
 

Workshop Assessment Tasks (50%):
The Workshops are of 2-hour duration per week and are based on basic understandings of self-managed online learning/teaching materials. It is advisable that you regularly read online teaching/learning materials and attend required Workshops. Some weekly workshops will include an assessment task which allows students to demonstrate both the successful completion of the workshop
tasks, and their understanding and application of the techniques and skills which they learn each week.  Students need to submit all 3  Workshop Assessment Assignments on the following: (1) Analysis of Census data; (2) Statistical descriptive analysis of survey data using SPSS; (3) Regression analysis of survey data using SPSS. Full details of the Workshop Assessments will be provided at the start of each
workshop. All assignments in this course must be submitted online via the relevant course site. Assignment files must be converted to PDF before being submitted to MyUni.

 
The DUE dates are as follows:

1. Analysis of Census data           (20%)      Workshops 1-5     Monday, 6 April

2. Statistical descriptive analysis of survey data using SPSS (10%)      Workshops 6-8      Monday, 11 May

3. Regression analysis of survey data using SPSS (25%)      Workshops 9-11    Monday, 18 June

 
Submission of assignments must be lodged by the given DUE date to avoid penalty.  If an assignment is submitted late there must be an adequate reason given to the Course Coordinator. Students will receive feedback on or grades for their work by the end of week after the due date of each submission.

 
Take Home Final Exam (40%):
This exam will be delivered and completed during the week from 8th June to 12th June. It will be a take home exam that students will submit to MyUni by the DUE date of mid-night 12th June. Students will be provided with online guidance that takes them through the exam and practice what a good answer looks like.

Online submission MyUni for assignments - Information available on enrolment.