121-503 Research Methods and Design

In this subject research modules are offered in intensive mode over summer. Students should consult Dr Ray Wyatt, the modules coordinator, for details by November in the year prior to enrolment. Strict enrolment deadlines apply to subjects taught during the Summer Semester. Any enrolment in, or withdrawal from, this subject for the Summer Semester must be made in line with HECS census dates.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours or any masters coursework degree.

This subject will introduce students to a range of research methodologies relevant to both their chosen careers and their thesis research. Students will choose three methodology 'modules' from the list of modules available. The program coordinator or thesis supervisor must approve the choice of modules. The actual modules offered vary from year to year, but typically, they cover topics such as the Statistical Package for Social Scientists, Descriptive Statistics, Inferential Statistics, Survey Design and Analysis, Geographical Information Systems, Geocomputing Library Information Retrieval, Electronic Focus Groups, Field Methods and Research Ethics.

• gain an introductory level of skill at using popular GIS research approaches and methods;

• have an ability to organize one's time sufficiently to submit assignments on schedule within an intensive mode of teaching;

• have a keen understanding of the advantages, disadvantages and dangers of using different research methods in different ways;

• have gained considerable expertise in gaining skills that are essential for their own research but which have not studied to any great depth hitherto.

This will depend on the modules chosen and it will vary from small assignment to be completed during the intensive two days during which that module is taught, through to small assignments or a major essay to be completed by the end of March. Such assessment will total 5000 words for 4th year students and 6000 words for masters students.