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HE Unit Template
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Research Methods in the Social Sciences
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FEAFN3001 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences
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20250100
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2.3
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2026-06-16
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2026-06-16
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090301
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Sociology
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn3001">090301 - Sociology</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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<p>This unit introduces students to the nature, design and processes of social research. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of research approaches, designs and methods available to social researchers, and will develop critical skills in planning research by integrating methods and practice. The unit guides students through the various stages of the research process, from the formulation of a research topic to the development of a research design framework and research proposal. Students will also develop their ability to critically reflect on the ethical and political considerations of social research and to deconstruct the implicit assumptions of social scientific methods.</p>
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<p>•What is social research?<br>
•Research design<br>
•The research process<br>
•Literature reviews<br>
•Ethics, politics and values in research<br>
•Analysing quantitative data<br>
•Analysing qualitative data<br>
•Surveys and sampling<br>
•Narrative, life history and case study analysis<br>
•Discourse analysis<br>
•Evaluation research in practice settings</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2026
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2026
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FEAFN3001 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences
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FEAFN3001 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
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Year
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit introduces students to the nature, design and processes of social research. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of research approaches, designs and methods available to social researchers, and will develop critical skills in planning research by integrating methods and practice. The unit guides students through the various stages of the research process, from the formulation of a research topic to the development of a research design framework and research proposal. Students will also develop their ability to critically reflect on the ethical and political considerations of social research and to deconstruct the implicit assumptions of social scientific methods.</p>
Unit content
<p>•What is social research?<br> •Research design<br> •The research process<br> •Literature reviews<br> •Ethics, politics and values in research<br> •Analysing quantitative data<br> •Analysing qualitative data<br> •Surveys and sampling<br> •Narrative, life history and case study analysis<br> •Discourse analysis<br> •Evaluation research in practice settings</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn3001">090301 - Sociology</a>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>( the student must have achieved at least 30 credit points prior to enrolment AND must be Units taken at level 2000-2999)</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p> must not have completed all of SOCIO2597, SOSCI2001, ATSGC2831</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Understand the nature of social research and the research process</p>
K2
<p>Examine the uses of quantitative and qualitative research methods in social research</p>
K3
<p>Identify which methods are appropriate for particular research questions and topics</p>
K4
<p>Analyse critically the strengths and limitations of social research methods</p>
K5
<p>Evaluate the ethical and political concerns of social research</p>
S1
<p>Develop advanced research skills in the social sciences</p>
S2
<p>Design a research topic based on critical reflection of the research literature, professional practice, lived experience and/or personal narrative</p>
S3
<p>Construct a research design framework</p>
S4
<p>Apply appropriate social research methods to particular social questions and problems</p>
S5
<p>Support and justify a project in a research proposal</p>
A1
<p>Analyse critically the research process and develop a research topic</p>
A2
<p>Evaluate research methods to formulate a research design framework</p>
A3
<p>Construct a research proposal</p>
A4
<p>Apply advanced critical thinking skills to ethical and political issues in social research</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Develop a research topic informed by the research literature, professional practice, lived experience and/or personal narrative.</p>
<p>Research topic</p>
<p>10-25%</p>
K1, K5, S1, S2, A1, A4
2
<p>Prepare a research design framework that outlines the focus, aims, significance, conceptual framework, methodology and methods, and ethical and political considerations.</p>
<p>Research design framework</p>
<p>20-35%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S3, S4, A2, A4
3
<p>Construct a research proposal that details and justifies the focus, aims, significance, conceptual framework, methodology and methods, and ethical and political considerations.</p>
<p>Research proposal</p>
<p>40-60%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2, A3, A4
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplimentary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn3001">090301 - Sociology</a>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Disclaimer
<em>Information in the Federation Handbook is correct at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to alter any course, unit, procedure or fee.</em>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: FEAFN3001 - U2.3