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POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
This course provides an introduction to the main empirical social science methods, types of data, and techniques for collecting social science data. The course will provide students with the skills to apply social science methods to the generation and analysis of data to inform policy, business and service delivery decisions. Content will cover: overview of main social and behavioural theories (rational choice; nudge and behavioural insights; complexity theory), introduction to research design (observational designs; intervention and experimental designs and action research), techniques for collecting data (quantitative surveys; qualitative interviews; behavioural and experience methods), measurement issues, participatory approaches to research, vulnerable populations, and ethics and privacy considerations.
Class participation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assignment 1 - Critique of selected empirical research paper (1,500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 4
Assignment 2 - Research proposal (3,500 words)
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 5
Oral presentation - Empirical strategy and ethics considerations (10 minutes)
Learning outcomes 5
Class test (2 hours)
Learning outcomes 4, 5
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: made up of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and online activities; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
To be provided on the course canvas site. Preliminary Reading Chapters 1 and 2 from Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford university press.