Students
SSCI2010 – Qualitative Inquiry in the Social Sciences
2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Selvaraj Velayutham
Payel Ray
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(40cp including SSC100, SSCI100 or SSCI1000)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Qualitative inquiry aims to access ‘human stories’ and lives as they unfold or through the traces people leave behind. How do people interact in and understand their social worlds? How do these interactions and perceptions shape their outlook, behaviour, and experiences in particular situations? This unit focuses on the valuable insights that qualitative inquiry can provide to address these questions. The unit proceeds in three parts. The first part surveys influential approaches to qualitative research design, highlighting the importance of understanding social context as well as managing the relationship between theory, method and analysis. The second part focuses on how to ethically apply common data collection methods used in qualitative inquiry, from interviews to observational techniques to unobtrusive practices. The third part of the unit examines how to manage and analyse qualitative data in a critical, robust and systematic manner. In this unit, students will gain insight into how to design and carry out quality qualitative research into social lives and important social issues. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: display knowledge of the range of qualitative approaches and know when each should be used in social research
- ULO2: design and apply qualitative instruments, methods and analytic strategies
- ULO3: employ skills in interpreting data and the results generated by qualitative social research in an ethical and transparent manner
- ULO4: apply knowledge of major challenges confronting researchers working in the social sciences
- ULO5: apply high-level information retrieval, critical reading, problem development, and writing skills required to undertake social research with qualitative methods
General Assessment Information
Late penalty text
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review essay | 15% | No | Week 4 |
| Online quizzes | 30% | No | Week 5 & 10 |
| Research report | 35% | No | Week 13 |
| Active participation | 20% | No | Ongoing |
Review essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 15%
750 word written paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
- display knowledge of the range of qualitative approaches and know when each should be used in social research
- employ skills in interpreting data and the results generated by qualitative social research in an ethical and transparent manner
Online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Week 5 & 10
Weighting: 30%
2 x online quizzes (each worth 15%)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- display knowledge of the range of qualitative approaches and know when each should be used in social research
- apply knowledge of major challenges confronting researchers working in the social sciences
Research report
Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 35%
1,800 to 2,000 word research report
On successful completion you will be able to:
- employ skills in interpreting data and the results generated by qualitative social research in an ethical and transparent manner
- apply knowledge of major challenges confronting researchers working in the social sciences
- apply high-level information retrieval, critical reading, problem development, and writing skills required to undertake social research with qualitative methods
Active participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Participation in online and/or on-campus unit activities
On successful completion you will be able to:
- display knowledge of the range of qualitative approaches and know when each should be used in social research
- design and apply qualitative instruments, methods and analytic strategies
- apply high-level information retrieval, critical reading, problem development, and writing skills required to undertake social research with qualitative methods
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
All required readings are available through the library and the unit ilearn page.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
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.
Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook