Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Designing Social Science Research

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

In 2024 this course is titled 'Research Strategies (Honours)'. 

From 2025 this course will be titled 'Designing Social Science Research'. 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO1222

City Campus

Undergraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006

HUSO1222

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 2 2024

HUSO1222

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Elinor Assoulin

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0449

Course Coordinator Email: elinor.assoulin@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 10. Room 14

Course Coordinator Availability: By Appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is an Honours level course. It is assumed that you have completed a three-year undergraduate degree in the Social Sciences (or a related field).   

Recommended Concurrent Study 

As a Full-time student you should undertake HUSO2451: Social Science Research Methods for Honours and HUSO2374: Honours Thesis Part A at the same time as this course as they contain areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice.  

If you are a Part-time student, you be required to have your proposed program plan approved by the Program Manager. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact the Program Manager if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   


Course Description

Designing Social Science Research is a core course in the GUSS Social Science Honours Program. It assumes that you have at least commenced research for your Honours thesis. This course is designed to assist you in developing a proposal for your social science research project or thesis. In this course, you will refine your topic, develop it into a full research plan and critique relevant literature to support the first part of your thesis.   

Your learning in this course will be facilitated through workshops where you will engage with your research community, which includes students and discipline relevant academics and/or professionals, to explore and apply the related content. 

This course will run as a six-week intensive in the first half of Semester 1. 

If you are enrolled in this course as a component of your Bachelor Honours Program, your overall mark will contribute to the calculation of the weighted average mark (WAM). See the WAM information web page for more information. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following BH131 program learning outcomes:  

PLO1: Apply creative, critical, and innovative thinking, along with reflective practice, to effectively identify and analyse diverse social science challenges. 

PLO2: Critique, reflect on and synthesise knowledge, experiences and information from a range of sources to enhance understanding and application in social science research. 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

CLO1: Use basic skills to identify, formulate, and design a feasible research proposal proportionate to your prior expertise and your area of research 

CLO2: Develop a feasible and logical research question/problem 

CLO3: Locate your research within relevant and contemporary academic literature 

CLO4: Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues relevant to research in your general areas of interest 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves lectorials, workshops, group and class discussion and individual research.  

Delivery may be face-to face, online or a mix of both.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your course coordinator, including books, journal articles and/or web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own research. Course specific resources can be accessed via Canvas. 

There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services.   

For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against your program learning outcomes.  Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of designing social science research and you will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific research area.   

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Preliminary review of the literature.  

Weighting: 50%  

Addressing course learning outcomes: 2, 3 

Assessment 2: Full research proposal  

Weighting: 50%  

Addressing course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.