HUMN 7036 Research in the Social Sciences

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102175

Coordinator Sharon Kwok Opens in new window

Description From 2016 this subject replaced by 102357 - Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy for students enrolled in 4595-Master of Art Therapy only. This subject provides foundational skills and knowledge for research in the Social Sciences including contemporary developments such as digital and online research. It introduces key research concepts of epistemology, ethics, theory and methodology drawing on different fields of studies within the Social Sciences. The subject canvasses critical debates and approaches to research in the Social Sciences; the processes by which knowledge is created through research; and the purposes to which knowledge is applied in the Social Sciences. Finally, the subject focusses on developing student's skills and knowledge for developing research questions and research proposals.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Studies In Human Society

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Equivalent Subjects CULT 7005 - Research for Practice

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Assumed Knowledge

Undergraduate degree in the Social Sciences or equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical understanding of the importance of research in the social sciences
  2. Critically analyse the processes by which knowledge is created through research
  3. Explain and evaluate epistemological and theoretical frameworks for research in the social sciences
  4. Understand and demonstrate the steps required in completing a research proposal
  5. Appraise different methodological approaches to research in the social sciences

Subject Content

1. Introduction ? research in the social sciences
2. Contemporary approaches to research in the social sciences
3. Doing ethical research in the social sciences
4. From research interest to research question ? developing a research question
5. Conceptualising research in the social sciences - What is ontology/epistemology
6. Theoretical perspectives in the social sciences
7. Research Methodologies
8. Methods for collecting and analysing research data
9. The research proposal template
10. Writing as research

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Literature Review 500 words each, (total 2,000 words) 40 N Individual
Essay 100 words each, (total 1,000 words) 10 N Individual
Report 2,000 words 50 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject