Overview
This unit familiarises students with the practice of researching and the collection of data. Through the development of core skills, students are introduced to both qualitative and quantitative methods. Links between theory and social research methods are investigated in an effort to understand the production and analysis of social research data. At the end of the unit students should be able to critically assess and analyse the application and use of appropriate research methods. Within this framework students should be able to devise and undertake a social survey, understand and explain the application of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and be able to use both quantitative and qualitative approaches to their research.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Students to be allowed to select their own research topics for the two written assessments.
Students will select their own social issues for the assessments. Examples of suitable social issues will be provided and students will be encouraged to confirm their selected social issues with the unit coordinator.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Provide students with more exemplars of report format and quantitative assignments.
More exemplars will be provided and clearer Assessment structure information provided.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Finding some assessment resources in the Assessment tile.
The Moodle site will provide separate sections for each of the three assessments in the Assessment tile.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation, email
An engaging and interesting unit with good assessments. The lectures, tutorials, teaching and support provided by the unit coordinator helped students learn.
To continue to support and engage with students.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Provide a better practice quiz.
The practice quiz will be expanded in the number of questions and improved.
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Social Research Methods
Edition: 4th (2019)
Authors: Walter, M.
Oxford University Press
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780190310103
If you are having issues accessing the text at Library website, physical copies of the book can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
If you are having issues accessing the text at Library website, physical copies of the book can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
Additional Textbook Information
Other prescribed readings are available via the eReading list on the unit Moodle site.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- Online access Australian Standards (through CQU Library)
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- EndNote (bibliographical software). EndNote bibliographic software to format your references is NOT mandatory. However, it will be a great tool to manage your research references and cite them in texts. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Social Work Resources
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.rockloff@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Research and the research process
Chapter
Chapter 1 & 3 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 1 set readings and activities.
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation:
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Weekly lecture/tutorial. (Attend the Zoom tutorial or watch the recording)
Activity: Access the Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and what you want to learn from studying this unit.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Regularly check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Qualitative and quantitative research
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 2 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Research design and research questions
Chapter
Chapter 2 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 3 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethics in research
Chapter
Chapter 4 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 4 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative and quantitative methodologies
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 5 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Module/Topic
Measuring and sampling
Chapter
Chapter 5 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 6 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quantitative research - Constructing and conducting surveys
Chapter
Chapter 6 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 7 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quantitative research - Analysing data and presenting survey results
Chapter
Walter (2019), pp.239-254.
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 8 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative research method - interviewing
Chapter
Chapter 10 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 9 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative research - Analysing the data
Chapter
Chapter 11 & 13 of Walter (2019)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 10 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quality in research - Rigour
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 11 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Completion of Assessment 3.
Chapter
No set readings for this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term, and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Type: One Online Quiz
Quiz opens: 00:01 hour (AEST) Thursday, 14 August 2025 (Week 5)
Quiz closes: 23:59 hours (AEST) Thursday, 14 August 2025 (Week 5)
Return to students: Results for the quiz will be available on Friday, 15 August 4 pm (AEST)
Permitted attempts: One
Weighting: 20%
Length: 20 questions (combination of question types)
Completion time: 30 minutes
Extensions: Not available as per policy. The 72 - hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Unit Coordinator: Dr Susan Rockloff
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts, ethics, methodologies, methods, and facts covered by the textbook, recommended readings, lectures and tutorial content covered in weeks 1 to 5 of the term.
Instructions
Instructions for this assessment can be accessed on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
- Level of GenAI use allowed:
- Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
1
Other
Week 5 Thursday (14 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Completion of the quiz is required by 23:59 hours (AEST). An open quiz will be automatically submitted at 23:59 hours (AEST).
Week 5 Friday (15 Aug 2025)
Results for the quiz will be available on Friday, 15 August 4 pm (AEST).
Automatic grading in the online quiz.
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
2 Written Assessment
Type: Written Assignment
Due date: Monday, 8 September 2025 4pm AEST
Extensions: Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Return date: Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 4pm (AEST).
Weighting: 40%
Length: 1800 words +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Unit Coordinator: Dr Susan Rockloff
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to design a quantitative social survey by conducting an exploratory and concise literature review in the relevant field and formulating a research question, followed by developing hypotheses and a survey. The purpose is for you to make connections between the unit material, a real life research approach and the use of a quantitative research method.
Instructions
Instructions for this assessment can be accessed on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
- Level of GenAI use allowed:
- Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 8 Monday (8 Sept 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assignment via the unit Moodle site as a single file in Microsoft Word format only.
Week 10 Wednesday (24 Sept 2025)
Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 4pm (AEST).
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for information on how marks will be assigned. Assessment re-attempt is not available for this Assessment task.
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
3 Written Assessment
Due date: Monday, 6 October 2025 4pm AEST
Extensions: Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Return date: Results for this assessment will be made available on Monday, 27 October 2025 4pm (AEST).
Weighting: 40%
Length: 1700 words +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Unit Coordinator: Dr Susan Rockloff
Instructions
Instructions for this assessment can be accessed on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
- Level of GenAI use allowed:
- Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Tuesday (7 Oct 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment as two files via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
27 October 2025 - students will be advised of the release of marked assignments via email notification
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
