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SSCI2010 – Qualitative Inquiry in the Social Sciences

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Banu Senay
banu.senay@mq.edu.au
Convenor
Selvaraj Velayutham
selvaraj.velayutham@mq.edu.au
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

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 non-timed written assessments (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc) is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams/quizzes, 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
Online quizzes 30% No 29 March & 24 May
Review essay 15% No 22 March
Active participation (online) 15% No ongoing
Research report 40% No 31 May

Online quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: 29 March & 24 May
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

Review essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 22 March
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

Active participation (online)

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 15%

Participation in online 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

Research report

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 31 May
Weighting: 40%

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

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

SSCI2010 lectures are recorded and made available via ECHO. Tutorial participation is essential for the successful competion of the unit. Students are required to contribute to the weekly online forums.

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:

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 connect.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.

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:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.04 of the Handbook