206-314 Social Research Methods

Availability

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

202-202 Experimental Design/Statistical Methods.

Semester

Subject Description

This subject develops understanding and skills in social research in rural and industry settings with a focus on social research methods relevant to human use of natural resources and the environment.

Topics include:

• quantitative and qualitative methods in social and market research;

• theory of social measurement; measurement of beliefs and attitudes;

• surveys as a form of data collection;

• the appropriateness of different research techniques for given social or market research problems;

• sampling procedures;

• sampling and measurement error;

• interviewing techniques for individual and group settings;

• communication skills relevant to interviewing; group dynamics;

• data coding, processing and analysis;

• social and psychological bases of responses to land degradation problems;

• influencing human behaviour related to the environment;

• and market research and consumer behaviour. New issues in social research methodology.

Assessment

A three-hour examination 3000 words (50%), an assignment, a field project, class exercises and seminar, written and practical tests (totaling 50%).

Prescribed Texts

• de Vaus D.A., Surveys in Social Research. 4th ed.. Allen and Unwin, 1995.
• Robson, C., Real World Research. Blackwell, 1993.
• Gardner, G.T. and Stern, P.C., Environmental Problems and Human Behavior. Allyn and Bacon, 1996.