Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Subject description
This subject aims to identify and understand some of the
methodologies used in survey research. It includes an
overview of the procedures used in survey research, a
descriptive approach to methods of sampling and data
collection methods including questionnaire design and
interview techniques (personal and telephone) mail surveys
and census methods. Basic techniques to analyse survey data
such as construction of indices and scales. Other topics may
include data processing including editing, coding, quality
control and preliminary analysis and analysis of multiple
response questions.
Textbooks and References
Given in class
SM733 Demographic Techniques
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisite: SM742
A subject of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Science
(Social Statistics).
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to give an understanding of the basic
methods of demographic analysis and to develop an
awareness of the social implications of demographic data. R
will include topics chosen from the following: sources of
demographic data. Elementary rates and ratios, examples
from mortality, fertility, marriage and migration. Census data
and use of CD ROM technology such as CDATA91. The Life
table and use in predictions such as population projections.
Models for regional demographic analysis.
Textbooks and References
To be advised
SM735 Survey Sampling
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
A subject of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Science
(Social Statistics).
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to introduce the theory and practice of
sampling methods for social surveys. The emphasis is on
basic sampling methods such as simple random sampling,
stratified sampling and cluster sampling, and includes the
estimation of standard errors.
Textbooks and References
To be advised
SM742 Elementary Statistical Modelling
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisites: SM750, SM751
A subject of the Graduate Certificate and Diploma of
Applied Science (Social Statistics).
Subject aims description
This subject aims to extend the work done in lntroduction to
Data Analysis by further developing the concepts of
statistical estimation and testing. Topics will include analysis
of variance and regression. lntroduction to linear algebra.
lntroduction to multiple regression. Analysis of categorical
data.
Textbooks and References
To be advised
SM743 Multivariate Statistics 1
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisite: SM742
A subject of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Science
(Social Statistics).
Subject aims description
This subject aims to identify and apply the multivariate
techniques most commonly used in social research and to
understand the assumptions underlying their use. The course
will include a selection of topics chosen from multiple
regression, statistical inference for multivariate data, principal
component analysis, factor analysis, discriminant analysis and
cluster analysis.
Textbooks and References
To be advised
SM744
Statistical Modelling
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisite: SM743
A subject of the Master of Applied Science (Social Statistics)
by coursework.
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to make an in-depth study of several
statistical modelling techniques for both categorical and
higher level data. Topics will be chosen from: regression
models for categorical data: log-linear models including
logistic regression for analysing binary data, procedures for
analysing two way tables such as social mobility tables and
multi-way contingency tables. Causal modelling, structural
equation models, LISREL.
Textbooks and References
To be advised
SM745 Project Planning
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisites: requirements of the Graduate
Diploma in Social Statistics with at least two
distinctions in the second year
A subject of the Master of Applied Science (Social Statistics)
by coursework.
Subject aims and description
In this subject students define and plan a project and
conduct an extensive literature search. The content will vary
from student to student depending on the work undertaken.
If will involve selecting an appropriate project and
conducting an extensive literature search.
Textbooks and References
Depends on topic
SM746 Multivariate Statistics 2
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisite: SM743
A subject of the Master of Applied Science (Social Statistics)
by coursework.
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to make an in-depth study of a range of
multivariate techniques used in social research. A selection
of topics will be made from multivariate analysis of variance,
multiple regression, factor analysis, discriminant analysis,
cluster analysis, conjoint analysis, correspondence analysis
and scaling techniques such as multi-dimensional scaling.
Textbooks and References
To be advised