50164 Research Methods 1

Handbook description

This is the core subject for the professional research strand and offers the opportunity for students to develop basic research skills applicable in different disciplinary fields and workplaces. The aim of the subject is to provide a critical introduction to designing and carrying out a small quantitative research project on a contemporary social issue. The subject is structured on a project basis, involving students in hands-on workshops in designing ways of collecting, analysing and writing about quantitative data. Practice in this subject is on survey research with students working in tutorial groups so they can collect enough data to explore some basic statistical concepts and computer-based cross-tabulation.

The subject also focuses on developing theoretically informed analyses of data, a critical approach to research methodology and a practical awareness of the often politically and ethically loaded contexts of research. The subject focuses on skills including questionnaire design, data analysis and research report writing. The subject forms a sequence with Research Methods 2 for students who wish to develop advanced research, analysis and writing skills often valued in the workplace.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to:

1. have developed practical research skills in the areas of research design, survey fieldwork, data analysis, and writing
2. have developed their capacity to conceptually frame empirical data
3. have a developed sense of the appropriate use of quantitative research techniques
4. have a developed sense of the strengths, weaknesses, ethical and political dilemmas of quantitative research and the research process in general.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is designed to provide graduates with:

• a broad range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in social inquiry, research and advocacy
• the ability to research and analyse wider social and public issues as well as apply critical analytical perspectives to daily and personal life
• an understanding of the multiple dimensions of social difference and inequality especially in terms of race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic class, sexuality, disability and age
• a critical understanding of, and an ability to engage with, the political and public policy processes, advocacy and social change.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is based roughly on a one hour lecture and two hour workshop format. Because of the professional skill development involved in this subject, however, there will at times be three hour practical workshops for project design, fieldwork, and analysis using computer labs. This subject will involve a range of activities including reading, practical workshop activities, conceptual and practical engagement in a class research project, as well as independent research and analysis.

Content

• Foundations of research – why do we undertake research, what does it mean and how can it be used.
• Ethics, power and politics – what does it mean to undertake research, particularly to the groups being researched? How can results be interpreted and what effect does it have on society and/or individuals?
• The enquiry instrument – what are you asking, what do you need to know. How to choose different types of questions: precoded/forced choice, scales, rankings, ratings, open ended/probing.
• Basic statistics – what is a statistic, what does it really mean, how do you work it out? Don't worry if you failed at maths, this is about principles not formulas. You do need to know why statistics matter and how they can be used.
• Conducting interviews and surveys.
• SPSS in the computer lab – you will need to use SPSS to enter your data, analyse your results and insert tables into your final reports.
• Analysis – how does what you have found fit in with other research?
• Writing it up – workshop on writing and presenting your results to get the best possible outcome from the research process.
• Reporting the results – presenting your results to the class.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Comparison of methods for social research

Assessment item 2: Analysis of a dataset

Assessment item 3: Research proposal

Assessment item 4: Research report

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

The following books and publications are listed for use as both a reading list and reference material. You need access to at least one book on social science research methods.

Referencing
Online and printable referencing guide: www.bell.uts.edu.au

For further referencing details and examples, see Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, rev. Snooks and Co, John Wiley and Sons, Milton, Queensland.

As well as the texts from which your readings are drawn, there are many quantitative research texts available – the issue is not to become overwhelmed by them as many have a heavy statistical focus.
Below are a few texts which I have found most helpful:
*Punch, K. 2003, Survey research: The basics, Sage, London.
*Pallant, J. 2001, SPSS Survival manual, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.
Argyrous, G. 2005, Statistics for Research with a guide to SPSS, London: Sage
Babbie, E. and F. Halley, 1995, Adventures in Social Research: Data analysis using SPSS for Windows, Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Bryman, A. & D. Cramer, 2009, Quantitative data analysis with SPSS 14, 15 and 16: a guide for social scientists London; New York: Routledge
Coakes, S. J. 2005, SPSS: Analysis without anguish, version 12.0 for Windows, Milton: John Wiley & Sons.
Creswell, J. W. 2003, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches, 2nd edn, Sage, Thousand Oaks.
De Vaus, D. A., 1995, Surveys in social research, 4th edn, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.
Dorling, D and Simpson, S. 1999, Statistics in society: The arithmetic of politics, Arnold, London.
Fink, A. 2003, The survey handbook, 2nd edn, Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.
Fink, A. 2003, How to ask survey questions, 2nd edn, Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.
Gilbert, N. 1993, Researching social life, Sage, London.
George, D. and P. Mallery, 2005, SPSS for Windows step by step: a simple guide and reference, 12.0 update, Boston: Pearson Education.
Greasley, P.2008, Quantitative data analysis using SPSS: an introduction for health and social science Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Hammersly, M. 1999, Social research: Philosophy, politics, and practice, Sage, London.
Kirkpatrick, Lee, A. & Feeney, B. C. 2009, A simple guide to SPSS: for version 16.0; London: Cengage Learning
Neuman, W. L. 2000, Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches, 4th edn. Allyn and Bacon, Needham Heights, MA.
Punch, K. F. 1998, Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches, Sage, London.
Sapsford, R. 1999, Survey research, Sage, London.
Wagner, William E. 2007, Using SPSS for social statistics and research methods, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage
Weinberg, Sharon L. & Sarah K. Abramowitz. 2008, Statistics using SPSS: an integrative approach Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press