Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

~ ~ 7 4 8 Research Methodology
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisite: SM745
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to continue the work in project planning in
SM745 by selecting the appropriate research methodology
necessary to proceed and, if necessary, develop additional
skills needed to complete the research. The content will vary
from student to student depending on the project
undertaken.
Textbooks and References
Depends on topic.
~ ~ 7 4 9 Minor Thesis
25.0 credit points
No. of hours per week: eight hours
Prerequisite: SM748
Subject aims and description
This subject follows on from Research Methodology SM748
and aims to carry out an original piece of social research and
report the findings.
Textbooks and References
Depends on topic.
~ ~ 7 5 0 Basic Statistical Computing
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Instruction: computer laboratory sessions and
classroom lectures
Assessment: computer tests and assignments
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to develop competence in the use of personal
computers and associated statistical packages and to acquire a
level of statistical computing literacy necessary for data
analysis in the social and health sciences.
It includes an introduction to microcomputers, a mainstream
statistical package such as SPSS and a mainstream spreadsheet
such as Lotus123 or Excel.
References
To be advised.
Statistical packages
Epi Info V5 (1992)
Excel Version 4 (1 992)
SPSSIPC, Version 5.1 (1991) andlor SPSS for Windows (1992)
~ ~ 7 5 1 An Introduction to Data Analysis
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Instruction: audio visual presentatations and
laboratory sessions using computers and
calculators
Assessment: practical and theoretical tests
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to provide a computer based introduction to
the concepts and practice of data analysis, statistical
estimation and hypothesis testing.
It includes the following topics. Exploring data, describing and
summarising data, variability, levels of measurement, time
series, drawing inferences from sample data, confidence
intervals and testing hypotheses on means and proportions for
two groups. Chi square and t-tests. Determination of sample
size. Use of demographic and health data. Use of statistical
packages such as Minitab and SPSS as appropriate.
References
To be advised.
~ ~ 7 5 2 Advanced Statistical Computing
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisites: SM750, SM751
Assessment: mixture of practical assignments and
tests
Subject description
This subject aims to expand the work done in Basic Statistical
Computing by introducing the students to other aspects of
statistical computing, in particular the SAS system. It will look
at various modules of the SAS System such as Base SASISTAT,
SASIASSIST, SASIGRAPH, as well as requiring the students to
investigate the use of higher level statistical procedures using
as appropriate data set. Interfaces between other packages
and SAS will also be covered.
Students will be given the opportunity to work with their own
data.
Textbooks end References
Will be supplied by the lecturer.
5~753 Survey Methods
12.5 credit points
No. of hours per week: four hours
Prerequisites: SM751 and SM750
Instruction: class teaching and workshops
supplemented by audio-visual presentations and
computer laboratory sessions
Assessment: assignments and a test
Subject aims and description
This subject aims to describe and understand some of the
methodologies used in survey research carried out in the
health sciences.
The subject will include an introduction to:
data collection methods including questionnaire design,
interview techniques (personal and telephone), mail
surveys and census methods;
sampling methods and obtaining estimates of sampling
errors. Overview of basic probability methods such as
simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster
sampling and multi-stage sampling. Determination of
sample size;
basic techniques to analyse survey data such as
construction of indices and scales. Examples will be drawn
from areas such as health sciences, sociology, psychology,
economics and marketing.
References
To be advised.