Fundamentals of Social Research

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
POLI 1006
Course ID icon
Course ID
201050
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
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Course level
1
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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
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

Is the job market for university graduates in Australia improving or worsening? Are youth attitudes to alcohol or drug consumption changing? This course will provide students with the basic tools to be an informed and critical user of social research methods to address important questions like these. It offers students a basic introduction to the various ways that social research is designed, carried out, and communicated. By learning how to discriminate between different methodological approaches and research methods, and the importance and complexities of social research ethics, students will develop the capacity to evaluate the methodological aspects of social research studies. 

  • Identifying social research topics and developing questions 
  • Designing social research
  • Data collection, analysis and evaluation research

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand the purpose of social research and its potential to investigate contemporary issues through both quantitative and qualitative approaches
  • Identify the range of methods, techniques, and skills used in contemporary social research and their capacity to solve specific problems
  • Critically evaluate the methodological aspects of published social research
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise academic literature into a Literature Review, and develop a research question in a timely and effective manner.

Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Choice Questions, Proposal, Multiple Choice Questions, Literature Review, Exam