Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Tobia Fattore
Contact via tobia.fattore@mq.edu.au
Australian Hearing Hub, Level 2 South Wing
By appointment
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPASR or GradCertPASR or GradDipPASR or MSocEntre or MSecStrategicStud or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSIA or GradCertSIA or MPH
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOCI1701: Qualitative Methods: Issues and Practices
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides students with an opportunity to develop practical skills collecting, analysing and presenting qualitative data to address essential research questions. The unit introduces participants to a wide range of qualitative research methods, including observation, participant observation, interviewing, the use of focus groups and unobtrusive research methods. Students will also learn how to organise and analyse qualitative research data. The unit adopts a hands-on approach to provide an opportunity to develop research skills and a critical perspective of the research process itself.
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Research Proposal | 25% | No | End of Week 5 |
Research Report | 40% | No | End of Week 14 |
Research Methods Presentation | 20% | No | Week 12 and 13 Seminars |
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 research will form the basis of the major assignment for the unit - the individual research report. As part of this process students are required to submit a 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 a qualitative approach, is feasible and uses the strengths of qualitative methods.
Due: End of Week 14
Weighting: 40%
Students will prepare a qualitative research report based on fieldwork they have undertaken throughout the semester. The research report will focus on presenting the research question, study rationale, analysis and presentation of the themes.
Due: Week 12 and 13 Seminars
Weighting: 20%
Students will give a short presentation outlining the research project they have undertaken throughout the semester. The focus of the presentation will be on the research question, aims and objectives, research methodology and critical evaluation of the research experience.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%
Many of the seminars revolve around practical demonstration of qualitative research skills. From week to week students will be required to engage in these practical tasks to develop their skills as qualitative researchers. Students will be assessed on their participation in these activities and ongoing contributions to the seminars based on the quality of their participation.
The course is offered in a two-hour seminar format, comprising a lecture, group discussion and practice based workshop each week. Additional one-hour non-compulsory workshops and laboratories will be available later in the session for students to develop their qualitative analysis skills.
There are no required texts for this course. The readings for each week can be accessed through the Macquarie University library (Unit Readings function)
However the following texts 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 |
Introduction to Qualitative Analysis |
Week 9 |
Grounded Theory |
Week 10 |
Discourse Analysis |
Week 11 |
Writing Qualitative Research |
Week 12 |
Research Method Presentations (I) |
Week 13 |
Research Method Presentations (II) and Wrapping Up |
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:
Undergraduate 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 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.
Late Submission Penalty
“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: