Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Tobia Fattore
Contact via tobia.fattore@mq.edu.au
W6A Room 837
By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOC831
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores the potentials and limits of qualitative methods in the social sciences. As well as exploring the theoretical issues of this approach, students will develop practical skills collecting, analysing and presenting data to address essential research questions. The unit adopts a hands-on approach to provide an opportunity to develop research skills and a critical perspective of the research process itself.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Research Proposal | 25% | No | End of Week 5 |
Research Report | 45% | No | End of Week 13 |
In-class Exam | 15% | No | Week 13 Seminar |
Seminar Participation | 15% | No | Ongoing |
Due: End of Week 5
Weighting: 25%
Students will be required to undertake a research project involving qualitative methods for this unit.This project should relate to the research area they are investigating for their Masters of Research. As part of this process students will be required to submit a brief research proposal for their intended research. The proposal will outline the research question and summarise the intended research methods that will be used to address the question. Proposals will be assessed on whether the project is suitable for qualitative research, is feasible and uses the strengths of qualitative methods.
Due: End of Week 13
Weighting: 45%
Students will undertake a qualitative research project throughout the semester based on the research proposal submitted earlier in the semester. This assignment presents the results of these investigations. The research will involve data obtained through the use of qualitative research methods discussed in the unit. As well as presenting the research question, study rationale, research methodology and findings, the report will also provide a critical evaluation of the research experience.
Due: Week 13 Seminar
Weighting: 15%
This short-answer test, to be undertaken in-class in Week 13, assesses your knowledge of the concepts covered in the seminars, focussing on the lecture material. Each question will be of equal value.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%
Students will be assessed on their ongoing contributions to the seminars, based on the quality of the participation.
The course is offered in a two-hour seminar format, comprising a lecture, group discussion and practice-based workshop each week. Additionally a non-compulsory one-hour workshop will be available to students to develop their qualitative analysis skills.
There are no required texts for this course. The readings for each week can be accessed from e-reserve.
However the following textbooks are recommended, that you may find useful for this course and as a resource for social research more generally.
Kathy Charmaz (2014) Constructing Grounded Theory (2nd Edition) Sage Publishing
Alan Morris (2015) A Practical Introduction to In-depth Interviewing Sage Publications
Week | Topic |
Week 1 | Introduction to Qualitative Research |
Week 2 | Is Qualitative Research a Science? |
Week 3 | Designing Qualitative Research |
Week 4 | Research Ethics and Politics |
Week 5 | Ethnography and Observation |
Week 6 | The Interview Technique |
Week 7 | Focus Groups |
Week 8 |
Content Analysis, Visual Techniques and Task-oriented Methods |
Week 9 | Introduction to Qualitative Analysis |
Week 10 | Grounded Theory |
Week 11 | Discourse Analysis |
Week 12 | Writing Qualitative Research |
Week 13 | Wrapping Up and In-class exam |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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