Media Masters Research Methods

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 6004
Course ID icon
Course ID
204225
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Campus
Adelaide City Campus West, Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
12
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Edward Palmer
Course level icon
Course level
6
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course supports students to develop an advanced understanding of a range of approaches to research within media studies. Discipline specific approaches to online research and qualitative methods are complimented by exploration of qualitative and computational research. As well as critically engaging with a range of advanced media methodologies and research frameworks, students will address research at the applied, theoretical and philosophical levels, and includes weekly insights from active researchers into how these methods are used in their research. Some key questions include: What role does previous literature play in ongoing research? How do the methods we choose in our research shape the kinds of knowledge we produce? What kinds of insights can be gained through different methodologies? What are the politics and ethics of different research methods? What are the central themes of media research and why? How do you structure a research proposal? How do you find and keep track of resources? How do you structure a literature review? How do you structure an argument? Throughout the course, students gain practical experience in a range of approaches to research design and data analysis, and use this to develop a research design appropriate for a thesis project at Masters level study.

Course learning outcomes

  • Have gained a fuller understanding of the range of research methods available in the field of media
  • Understand the implications of different research method choices on the kinds of knowledge produced
  • Understand the components of, and be able to produce a research proposal
  • Understand the difference between a range of disciplinary approaches to research
  • Be able to produce a literature review and understand its importance in their own research process
  • Have gained skills in referencing softwares and data management softwares (if relevant)
  • Have gained a broad understanding of the research agendas of media studies in general, and how their own project fits within the field

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 29611
Section
Section 01CW
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus West ,
Class number
Class number 30041
Section
Section SE01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West AHMS, 6052A-B
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West AHMS, 6052A-B

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MDIA1029 Honours Media Research Methods OR must not have completed MDIA7007 Media Masters Research Methods at the University of Adelaide

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Degree list
The following degrees include this course