Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Methodology of Social Research
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: continuous
Note: This subject must be taken by students
completing a major in sociology
Subject aims and description
AS306
This subject is designed to provide an understanding of the
range of methodologies that link sociological theory with
social research practices, and to provide the opportunity for
practical experience in research by using different methods
and designs.
In this subject, we examine the relationship between theory,
research design and policy. Students are introduced to a
range of methods of data gathering, data analysis and
presentation of results, using both quantitative and qualitative
strategies. Each student will carry out a substantial
piece of independent research under staff supervision.
References
de Vaus, D.A. Surwys in Social Research. 3rd ed. North Sydney: Allen
and Umrvin, 1991
Judd, C.M., Smith, E.R. and Kidder, L.H. Research Methods in Social
Relations. 6th ed, Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1991
AS307 Sociology and Social Policy
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
This subject is designed to allow students to develop their
understanding of the relationship between sociological
research, theory and social policy.
Particular attention is giwn to the sociology of health and
illness. The subject reviews the major theoretical and ideological
approaches to social policy and introduces students to
some of the key processes in healthy policy, e.g. problem
identification, policy implementation, evaluation and
monitoring.
References
Gardner, H. (ed.) Health hlicy: Development, Implementation and
Evaluation in Australia. Melbourne: Churchill Livingstone, 1992
Palmer. R. and Short, 5. Health Care and Public blilicy, an Australian
Ana/ysk South Melbourne: MacMillan, 1989
Sax, S. Health Care Choices and the Public Purse. Sydney: Allen and
Unwin, 1990
AS308 Migration and Ethnicity
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204 (or two sociology subjects and
AP207 for students majoring in Australian
studies)
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
International migration pressures in Western societies are
widespread and growing, as are tensions over settlement
and integration. This subject will examine social and political
factors shaping these processes with examples drawn from
Australia, North America, France and Germany. It will analyse
theories that attempt to explain the international movement
of people and theories focused on the development of
ethnicity. Particular attention will be paid to the position of
migrant women.
References
Freeman, G. and Jupp, J. (4s.) Nations of Immigrants: Australia, the
United States and International Migration. Melbourne: Oxford
University Press, 1992
Glazer, N. and Moynihan, D. (eds.) Ethnicity: Theory and Experience.
Cambridge, Mass.: Haward University, 1975
Simcox, D. (ed.) U.S. Immigration in the 1980s: Reappraisal and
Reform. Boulder, Colorado: Mstview Press, 1988.
AS400 Urban Social Theory
Subject aims and description
This subject is designed to introduce students to the major
theoretical perspectives used by social scientists to analpe
urban development, to examine the nature of the
urbanisation process and related urban problems, and to
develop an understanding of the role of the State in urban
society.
AS402 Urban Policy
Subject aims and description
This subject is concerned with an examination of national,
state, and local policies that pertain to urban areas. Crucial
issues covered include consideration of what constitutes
urban problems and policies, the significance of ideology to
policy, formulating policy, putting ideas into operation,
evaluation and analysis of policy, and the significance of
political structure. Particular topics such as housing, land-use,
infra-structure will be used to exemplify issues, and experts
in various policy areas participate in the course.
As403 Research Report
Subject aims and description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to gain
research experience by carrying out a research study under
staff supervision and presenting the results of the study in
the form of a report. The report is one of the major
requirements of the graduate diploma course.
AS404 Advanced Urban Research
Subject aims and dexription
This subject offers more intensive first-hand training in
research methods than that offered in AS41 1. Students
undertake a group research program which involves taking a
research issue through from conception to completion of a
final report. The research program will involve students in
survey, design, data collection, interviewing, coding,
computing, and research analysis. For students undertaking
an empirical analysis in their research projects or for students
seeking employment as research officers, this subject
provides necessary additional training in urban research.
A541 1 Urban Resea~h
Subject aims and description
This subject has three broad objectives: first, to introduce
students to the range of subject areas and methodologies
covered in contemporary urban research; secondly, to
familiarise students with information sources for Australian
urban research and methods of data acquisition; and thirdly,
to develop a limited competence in basic research techniques.
This involves introductory statistical procedures relevant
to urban research, use of Swinburne's computer
facilities, and an introduction to the software packages for
social research.