Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Tobia Fattore
Room C330 Building C, Arts Precinct
By appointment
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPSP or MPASR or GradCertPASR or GradDipPASR (OUA)
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOCI8035
|
Unit description |
Unit description
Social research is critical for evidence based policy making. This unit canvasses the use of qualitative research to inform public and social policy. Students will develop skills in conducting qualitative research and how it contributes to policy processes. This includes designing and conducting qualitative research and working with existing qualitative data to develop policy. The course will be structured around four modules. The first examines qualitative research designs for policy. The second introduces students to qualitative research methods and analysis, including qualitative analysis of policy documents. The third applies this knowledge to policy processes, including finding and using existing qualitative data sets; qualitative research as consultation; and the uses and misuses of citizen perspectives in policy processes. The unit concludes by considering how qualitative and quantitative data can be combined as policy evidence. Throughout, the unit will include expert speakers from the non-profit, government and academic sectors to provide insider perspectives on the use of qualitative data for policy making and to discuss the politics of research utilization. By undertaking this course, students will develop advanced skills in undertaking qualitative research and be able to apply these skills in a range of policy settings.
|
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:
Assignment Submission
All written assignments need to be submitted using the turnitin link for each assignment. These can be accessed under the assessment tab on the iLearn page for the assignment.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles of Macquarie University. It is a fundamental principle that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Policy Research Report | 40% | No | End of Week 14 (Nov 15) |
Participation | 10% | No | Ongoing |
Research Design/Consultation Exercise | 30% | No | End of Week 6 (Sept 6) |
Policy Research Presentation | 20% | No | Weeks 12 and 13 |
Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: End of Week 14 (Nov 15)
Weighting: 40%
Students will analyse a pre-existing corpus of qualitative data to write a report on a policy topic, in the form of a discussion paper/policy briefing. In addition, students will be required to identify and integrate relevant quantitative data to provide context information for the report. The report will require students to undertake qualitative data analysis and develop recommendations based on this analysis.
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Throughout the semester students will undertake practical tasks to develop their qualitative research skills. These include exercises relating to research design, ethics practicing qualitative methods and data analysis. These will be undertaken outside of class and be the basis of the discussion forums.
Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: End of Week 6 (Sept 6)
Weighting: 30%
Students will be required to develop a consultation strategy utilising qualitative research methods. The consultation strategy will outline the policy area or topic upon which consultation will occur; provide an overview of the consultation participants (the sample); outline the overall consultation strategy (research design); describe how information will be obtained from research participants (fieldwork and methods); and describe how the data obtained will be used to provide evidence to inform the policy topic (data analysis).
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 12 and 13
Weighting: 20%
An important skill in social research is the ability to present research in an engaging manner. This assessment task provides an opportunity to develop these presentation skills for social research.
Students will give a 10-15 minute virtual presentation on their policy research, focusing on the themes identified from the analysis and recommendations.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
The teaching program consists of the following:
Week |
Topic |
Seminar Activity |
One |
Introduction to Qualitative Research |
Introductions Thinking like a qualitative researcher |
Two |
The use of qualitative research and evidence in policy processes |
Assessing what is quality in qualitative research |
Three |
Qualitative Research Design |
Developing a qualitative research design |
Four |
Consultations as Qualitative Research Strategy |
Designing a consultation strategy Consultation assignment |
Five |
Research Ethics |
Managing ethical dilemmas |
Six |
Observation / Using Existing Sources |
Undertaking an observation Locating qualitative data |
Consultation Exercise Due – September 6 |
||
Seven |
Qualitative Interviewing |
Developing an interview protocol Undertaking an in-depth interview |
Eight |
Focus Groups |
Conducting and assessing focus groups |
Nine |
Action Research |
Designing a campaign |
Ten |
Introduction to Qualitative Analysis |
Open coding Identifying categories |
Eleven |
Writing Qualitative Research |
Developing Themes Writing qualitative research |
Twelve |
Research Utilisation and Dissemination |
Communicating research findings |
Thirteen |
Policy Research Presentations |
|
Policy Research Report Due - November 15 |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.