In this subject researchers experience the thrills of identifying and creating new knowledge. Their research experience is enhanced by using appropriate and sound approaches. This subject supports students undertaking social science research in natural resource management. Students are exposed to all aspects of research from project development to publication and dissemination of findings. After an introduction to qualitative and quantitative methodologies students specialise in the study of methods they will use in their research. There is no residential school associated with this subject. On completion, students will have a range of specialised skills in the application of several social science research methodologies and be able to choice the most appropriate method to a research task.
HD/FL
One session
School of Environmental Sciences
Restricted to Faculty of Science and Agriculture students enrolled in Honours or other research degrees or in Masters degrees by Coursework.
Students will study a common core and then specialise in either qualitative or quantitative methods. The two streams will combine for a final topic on publication and funding.
1. The nature of social research in natural resource management
2. Issue identification, problem refinement and hypothesis formulation
3. Social science theories and paradigms
4. Qualitative and quantitative methods: an overview
5. Qualitative and quantitative streams:
a. Qualitative:
- Interviewing
- Participant observation
- Analysing and presenting qualitative data
- Case studies of qualitative research
- Ethics
b. Quantitative:
- Survey design and administration
- Distributions, measures of central tendency and variability
- Bivariate and multivariate analysis
- Ethics
6. Report and thesis writing, journal publication, and research funding
For further information about courses and subjects outlined in the CSU handbook please contact:
The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2019. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.