This Paper introduces many of the research methods commonly used in the Social Sciences. These research techniques are outlined and illustrated, and their relevance to various types of research questions examined. The validity and limitations of each technique are highlighted as it is critically evaluated in the light of important current methodological issues and perspectives. Students successfully completing this Paper should be able to identify a research topic and an appropriate method, pre-test the method, and report the results with an awareness of their validity and limitations.
Extensive changes were made to the Paper in 2003, including the adoption of a new Textbook, a different approach to Tutorial preparation, and the use of a number of new audio-visual teaching aids in lectures. The response to these by most students were very positive as reflected in the Paper evaluation and comments. The Overall Rating given to the Paper in B Semester 2003 was 1.7 and in 2004 was 1.5 (where 1 is excellent, 2 is very good, 3 is satisfactory etc.). Comments made by students included:
* This course was the best out of my three years of study.
* I found the relaxed style of teaching was effective and lectures were stimulating.
* Lectures were interesting, tutorials were non-threatening, and the tutor was very good.
* The music, cartoons, video clips etc. were an excellent idea to help my learning – made the course enjoyable that otherwise I probably would have hated.
* I was impressed by and have enjoyed the tangible practical info that was given and the way in which it was shown and demonstrated.
* It was good to learn something practical for once.
* Every lecture was well-organised, always clear, helpful, made me think about it all deeply.
* Really good use of historical examples of research, to use actual real research to illustrate points in lectures.
* Range of teaching aids used made ideas easier to think about.
* I liked how the requirements for assignments and exam were clearly set out.
Objectives/Outcomes:
1. To provide students with a general introduction to the major social research methods in the social sciences including their critical evaluation in the light of methodological and ethical issues and perspectives.
2. To teach these methods, issues and perspectives through the examination of research examples as well as of methodological principles and guidelines.
3. To make students aware of the theoretical and ideological influences upon social research.
4. To reflect the University's Charter commitment (and the Faculty’s commitment) to equity issues, especially with regard to the interests of Maori and of women, in relation to the conduct of social research.
5. To provide students with an appreciation for issues of research design.
6. To make students aware of the main ethical issues in social research and present to them the University of Waikato ethical guidelines for research with human subjects.
7. To make students aware of the most important methods of data collection. To cover the steps involved in collecting and recording data, appropriate research topics, the main relevant ethical issues, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
8. To introduce students to both quantitative and qualitative analysis - to make them aware of the usefulness of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, and to provide an overview of quantitative analysis; to make them aware of methods of qualitative analysis of textual material; and to alert them to the usefulness of relevant computer packages.
9. To present students with the main elements involved in the writing of research reports.
10. To provide students with limited firsthand experience in designing a data collection instrument.
11. To provide students with references to more detailed texts on perspectives, methodologies, methods, ethical issues, and research examples.
12. To provide students with a foundation of knowledge enabling them to go on to SSRP307 “Techniques for Social Science Research: Quantitative Analysis”, SSRP304 “Qualitative Methods in Social Science Research” and POPS303 “Analysis of Social Policy Issues” to gain more in-depth experience with methods of data collection and analysis.
13. To provide students with a foundation of knowledge enabling them to go on to SSRP301 “Social Science Research in Practice: Sharing the Experience” to gain more in-depth appreciation of the theoretical, ethical and practical aspects of the conduct of social research.
