Graduate Diploma in Social Research Methods
Social research methods skills are vital across a range of disciplines. This course forms part of the Master of Social Research Methods, which introduces students to key concepts in social science research methods and offers them the opportunity to develop their skills through application.
The course provides students with an advanced understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques used in the social sciences, from action research to surveys, to more innovative methods such as photovoice. It also covers the range of methodological approaches and ethical considerations. Students obtain first-hand experience with some of the methods, and learn to understand and critique social research. They also learn how to craft a research project, and how to identify sources of funding and develop funding proposals. Examples of research from sociology, anthropology, political science, archaeology, linguistics, communications, geography, psychology, education, community development, tourism and other social sciences are used to illustrate research strategies.
Course overview
- Course title
- Graduate Diploma in Social Research Methods
- Award abbreviation
- GradDipSocResMeths
- Course code
- 12360
- Course type
- postgraduate diploma
- Status
- not available in 2020
- Administered by
- Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education
- CRICOS code
- 084023J
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Credit points required
- 48
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1 year
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- multi-mode
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Farida Fozdar and Associate Professor Loretta Baldassar
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Course structure
Note: This course is not available in 2020.
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; SS = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2020; NS = non-standard teaching period; OS = offshore teaching period; * = to be advised |
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANTH4103 | Knowing Social Realities: Theoretical Foundations |
| seminars: 2 hours per week for up to 10 weeks |
| NS | SOCS5003 | Research Design |
| up to 30 hours |
| N/A | SOCS5005 | Social Research Ethics | 24 hours—taught intensively and may include evening and/or Saturday classes | |
| NS | SOCS5501 | Evaluation | Taught intensively over 6 weeks (second half of S1), |
Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points:
Note: Students choosing to undertake a quantitative methods unit can select either PUBH4401 Biostatistics I or EDUC5633 Quantitative Inquiry.
| Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AHEA5801 | Aboriginal Health Research and Ethics | lectures/seminars: 3 hours per week | |
| S2 | ANTH4101 | Advanced Qualitative Methods: Interviews and Focus Groups |
| seminars: 2 hours per week for up to 10 weeks |
| NS | COMM5701 | Strategic Communications in a Digital Era | up to 24 hours | |
| N/A | EDUC5633 | Quantitative Inquiry | 25 hours | |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending a compulsory 1-hour seminar per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions. Additionally there is a compulsory 2-hour computer practical lab per week for which students will undertake applied use of GIS. Completion of these labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. | |
| N/A | HUMA5801 | Analysis and Interpretation in the Humanities | 3 hours per teaching week | |
| S1, S2 | PUBH4401 | Biostatistics I |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week (for face-to-face mode only) |
| S2 | SOCS5001 | Engaging Cultural Difference | lectures and workshops: up to 3 hours per week; or intensively (12 x 3-hour sessions over 2 weeks) | |
| S2 | SOCS5002 | Advanced Qualitative Methods: Ethnography |
| up to 3 hours per week |
| N/A | SOCS5004 | Engaging Gender | 3 hours per week | |
| N/A | SOCS5009 | Innovative Social Research Methods | up to 3 hours per week | |
| SS | SOCS5200 | Digital Advocacy | 1 week (30 hours) intensive split between lectures (15 hours) and practical training (15 hours); project workshops: 4 x 1 hour; final workshop: 8 hours. Summer: delivered intensively. | |
| N/A | SOCS5301 | Researching the Past |
| lectures/workshops: 2 hours per week; field trips: up to 3 x 2 hours |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Note: This course is not available in 2020.
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/postgraduate/student-procedures'>student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials module
2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module).
(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module is not required to repeat the module.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) (i) a relevant bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and
(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in the Level 3 units of a relevant major;
or
(b) (i) a Graduate Certificate in Social Research Methods, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and
(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:
- 12260 Graduate Certificate in Social Research Methods (24 points)
- 12360 Graduate Diploma in Social Research Methods (48 points)
- 12560 Master of Social Research Methods (96 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Graduate Diploma in Social Research Methods course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 48 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress in a calendar year a student must pass units to a value of at least half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress under Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.