98003 Research Methods for Social Sciences
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 32 credit points of completed study in completed any Bachelor's Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in completed any Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in completed any Bachelor's Honours OR 32 credit points of completed study in completed any Bachelor's Honours Embedded OR 32 credit points of completed study in completed any Bachelor's Combined Honours
Description
In this subject, students learn to locate and make sense of, as well to generate new information through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches to research. Students learn about the use of technologies and techniques in the collection, collation, and analysis of information in order to both extend and generate insights into social phenomena. Learning activities focus on design, methodology, method, and analytical selection as well as conducting ethical research, while students also develop practical skills with regards to presenting social research.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify examples of qualitative and quantitative research in the area of social sciences, and compare and contrast the associated strengths of each approach |
|---|---|
| b. | Compare and contrast research designs, sampling, data collection and data analysis methods used by researchers in the social sciences |
| c. | Evaluate the appropriateness of methodological choices in relation to research question/s |
| d. | Appraise the reliability and validity of published research, considering the reported methods and results to support the formulation of a study |
| e. | Critically engage with the role of ethics, appropriate communication and referencing in the research process |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and existing and emerging threats to justice, public safety and property (1.1)
- Apply and evaluate methodologies, technologies and practices relevant to contemporary criminology for policy formulation, risk analysis and stakeholder cooperation (1.2)
- Employ skills in critical analysis, problem solving, data literacy to analyse and respond to criminal justice and social policy challenges within organisations, communities and systems of governance (2.1)
- Analyse crime as a global phenomenon and explain how different jurisdictions define and respond to current and emerging trends in crime (3.1)
- Act with personal and ethical integrity and demonstrate social responsibility, demonstrating a critical understanding of the links between criminal law, criminal process, criminalization, poverty, disadvantage and justice (5.1)
- Convey complex concepts clearly, logically and effectively in written and oral forms to a variety of audiences (6.1)
- Communicate for high-level collaborative engagement and be competent in working in teams to address issues in crime (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning opportunities in this subject utilize asynchronous, pre-recorded lectures and explanations to be reviewed as preparation for interactive and practical weekly workshops where students discuss, develop, and analyse information and data in order to acquire both knowledge and skills in doing research. Students are expected to complete all preparation activities – typically active watching of video resources, reading, and various online learning activities - prior to attending their face-to-face class session. Formative online activities (discussions, unmarked quizzes, polls) allow students to track their progress and improve their comprehension of the material and their study skills. Early feedback is provided via the quiz activities. This subject's teaching and learning strategies also include collaboration with community and industry partners, regarding the learning material's content and assessment delivery. For example, students will have the opportunity to design research projects that have implications for practice.
Throughout the subject, students develop a broad skillset such as information finding and gathering, critical thinking and analysis, along with developing their written and oral communication skills, that are useful in preparing future practitioners. Assessments contribute to the development of these capacities and deepen knowledge of the subject content.
An aim of this subject is to help students develop both academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace.
Content (topics)
This subject seeks to introduce students to the process available to social scientists for researching the social world. The subject explores the process involved in locating and making sense of information used in research, policy, and practice along with research design, methods and analysis used in social research.
Students will learn how to formulate research questions and be introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methods that can be used to answer such questions. The subject will demonstrate that each method has its strengths and weaknesses while ensuring students acquire the basic tools to be an informed and critical user of social science research. Students will learn how to find the most up-to-date and highest quality studies and apply the methodological and analytical reasoning. The subject will be taught under four themes:
1. The nature and process of social research;
2. The nature and process of quantitative research;
3. The nature and process of qualitative research;
4. Alternative approaches to primary quantitative and primary qualitative research.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Quiz
| Objective(s): | a and b | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||
| Length: | 15 questions randomly drawn from a pool of questions made up on multiple choice answers and true/false answers. | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Developing a Quantitative Study Proposal
| Objective(s): | a, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1,600 words (In-text citation included, reference list excluded). It is recommended that 800-900 words are used for points 1 to 5, with the remaining word count used for the creation of the data collection tool/experimental procedure. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Developing a Qualitative Study Proposal
| Objective(s): | a, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1,600 words (in-text citations included, reference list excluded). It is recommended that 800-900 words are used for points 1 to 5, with the remaining word count used for the creation of the data collection tool/guide | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Online Exam: Data Analysis
| Objective(s): | b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1.5 hours online exam. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L., & Bryman, A. (2021). Bryman's social research methods. Oxford University Press.
References
Abbott, M. L., & McKinney, J. (2013). Understanding and applying research design. John Wiley & Sons.
Alasuutari, P., Bickman, L., & Brannen, J. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE handbook of social research methods. Sage.
Argyrous, G. (2011). Statistics for research: With a guide to SPSS. Sage Publications.
Berg, B. L., & Lune, H. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Pearson.
Bergman, M. M. (Ed.). (2008). Advances in mixed methods research: Theories and applications. Sage.
Bernard, H. R., & Bernard, H. R. (2013). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage.
Bickman, L., & Rog, D. J. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE handbook of applied social research methods. Sage publications.
Byrne, D. (2016). Research Design. Sage.
Cresswell, J. (2018). The Sage Handbook on Qualitative Research. Sage publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Sage.
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics, fifth edition. Sage.
Gelman, A., & Nolan, D. (2017). Teaching statistics: A bag of tricks. Oxford University Press.
Goertz, G., & Mahoney, J. (2012). A tale of two cultures: Qualitative and quantitative research in the social sciences. Princeton University Press.
Johns, M. D., & Jon, H. G. (2004). Online Social Research: methods, issues & ethics. P. Lang Publishing.
Halfpenny, P., & Procter, R. (Eds.). (2015). Innovations in digital research methods. Sage.
Hancock, G. R., Stapleton, L. M., & Mueller, R. O. (Eds.). (2019). The reviewer’s guide to quantitative methods in the social sciences, second edition. Routledge.
Kaplan, D. (2004). The Sage handbook of quantitative methodology for the social sciences. Sage.
Lichtman, M. (2017). Qualitative research for the social sciences. SAGE publications.
Mertens, D. M., & Ginsberg, P. E. (2009). The handbook of social research ethics. Sage.
Salkind, N. J. (Ed.). (2010). Encyclopedia of research design (Vol. 1). Sage.
Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2020). Qualitative research. Sage Publications Limited.
Sirkin, R. M. (2005). Statistics for the social sciences. Sage Publications.
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2016). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioural research, second edition. sage.
Urdan, T. C. (2016). Statistics in plain English. Taylor & Francis.
Walliman, N. (2015). Social research methods: The essentials. Sage.
Walter, M. (Ed.). (2013). Social research methods, third edition. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Other resources
Key Journals
Sage Mixed Methods Journal
Sage Secondary Data Analysis
Sage Quantitative Research Methods
Sage Qualitative Research Methods
Behaviour Research Methods
Journal of Participatory Research Methods
Methodology
Journal of Experimental Criminology
Crime Science
The Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology
Journal of Quantitative Criminology
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Criminology & Public Policy
British Journal of Criminology
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
European Journal of Criminology
Asian Journal of Criminology
Current issues in Criminal Justice
Journal of Criminological Research, Policy & Practice
Journal of Forensic Practice
International Journal of Law & Psychiatry
Policing
Policing: An International Journal
Policing & Society
Police Practice & Research
Journal of Police & Criminal Psychology
Key Resources
The following provide good quality information and research resources:
https://methods-sagepub-com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/ Sage Research Methodology Database (via UTS (University of Technology Sydney) Library)
https://www.aic.gov.au/ - Australian Institute of Criminology
www.afp.gov.au/afp - Australian Federal Police
https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/ - NSW (New South Wales) Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
www.police.nsw.gov.au – NSW Police Service
www.homeoffice.gov.uk – UK Home Office website
http://www.austlii.edu.au/ - Australasian Legal Information Institute
https://www.abs.gov.au/ - Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.cyber.gov.au - Australian Cyber Security Centre
https://esafety.gov.au - Australian Government, Office of the e-Safety Commissioner