Course Title: Research Methods

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Methods

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2181

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012

HUSO2181

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Internet

 Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Summer2012

HUSO2239

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Internet

 Summer2012

Course Coordinator: Shanthi Robertson & Francesca Gullaci

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3773 / 9925 2708

Course Coordinator Email:shanthi.robertson@rmit.edu.au / Francesca Gullaci

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Social research skills are fundamental to the development of key professional competencies taught in the BA (Criminal Justice Administration) and BA (International Studies) programs.

This course provides you with an introduction to the key concepts of research in the humanities and social science. It aims to reach a balance between practice (skills) and theory (methodology and rationale). We aim to give you the practical skills you will need to implement different methods of data collection and analysis, as well as an understanding of the underpinning methodologies.
An important aim is to foster in you an awareness of the sorts of decisions and compromises that you will have to make at each stage of the research process. Emphasis is placed upon practical difficulties encountered by researchers working in cross-cultural contexts. The thematic focus of the lecture program encourages debate about the nature of knowledge production in globalised knowledge markets by drawing critical attention to the role of power-relations in the privileging of certain forms of knowledge at the expense of others.
We aim to give you a good understanding of social research and hope you come to see it as a useful, relevant and creative activity in the criminal justice and international sectors.
You will be able to apply what you learn in this course to many projects that require the collection or analysis of social data; for example, in Honours or Postgraduate projects, in Field Study projects and in professional practice.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course is designed to provide students with the means to:

  • Acquire a fundamental theoretical understanding of differing approaches to research data collection;
  • Gain practical understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including:
    o Surveys and structured interviews;
    o Statistical analysis;
    o Observation, and 
    o Action research and evaluation
  • Develop their capacity to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative research data;
  • Understand issues relating to the application of research methodologies in the criminal justice field and in culturally diverse contexts,in particular the relevance of sociolinguistic and broader cultural matters
     


Upon the completion of this course you should have:

  • Acquired a theoretical understanding of differing approaches to research data collection;
  • Developed your capacity to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative research data;
  • Understood issues relating to the application of these research methodologies in criminal justice and culturally diverse contexts, in particular the relevance of sociolinguistic and broader cultural matters.
  • Gained a practical understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including: 
    o Surveys and structured interviews;
    o Statistical analysis;
    o Observation, and
    o Action research and evaluation


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is offered in both face-to-face and online modes. The overview of learning activities below refers to the face-to-face delivery version.
The online version covers the learning activities described below but in an online mode and offers more flexibility regarding when you undertake the learning activities.

Teaching approach:
There are two elements to the teaching approach adopted here:

• Explanation of key concepts by the lecturer to provide a guide through what is often complex course matter (this may be in the form of short lectures but will preferably be integrated into structured discussion and tutorial sessions);
• Small group tutorial / computer lab sessions to apply and develop research skills (including collection, analysis and presentation of various forms of data).
 

Lectures will aim to signpost the major learning issues for students, and to provide practical advice on assignments in those regards. Students are expected to read ahead to provide themselves the best opportunity to gain the in-depth knowledge to prepare for tutorial work and to apply learning in their assignments.


Overview of Learning Resources

Advice will be given on relevant readings throughout the course as various topics are addressed. The reading list is designed as a resource - you are not expected to read everything! The * denotes readings which would be particularly useful to obtain in order to strengthen your grasp of course materials.


There are two set texts:

Criminal Justice Administration set text: Neuman,W.L. (2007).Basics of Social Research.Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (2nd ed). USA: Pearson Education, Inc

International Studies set text:  O’Leary, Z. (2005). Researching Real-World Problems. A Guide to Methods of Inquiry. London:Sage


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on the basis of written assignment(s) and/or feedback tasks and/or a tutorial presentation and/or an exam. These assignment(s) are based on practical exercises that demonstrate your skills and understanding of research methods, including analysing data, and the research process. The exam establishes your understanding of concepts and debates integral to research methods in the humanities.
The various assessment options are associated with which mode of study (face-to-face or online) you choose for this course.