Social Science Research Methods

About this subject

• What you'll learn

  After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:

  1. Describe and explain the theoretical tenets of quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to research design;
  2. Demonstrate skills in identifying and researching relevant literature and documents, including theoretical and empirical research and policy documents;
  3. Explain the theoretical principles underlying research question/s and research hypothesis/es and demonstrate an ability to construct appropriate research question/s and research hypothesis/es for a specified research project;
  4. Describe, explain and select an appropriate methodological approach and sampling strategy and design data collection instrument/s for a specified research project;
  5. Describe and apply principles of ethical research;
  6. Report the key elements of a written research proposal according to American Psychological Association guidelines;
  7. Be cognisant of the range, complexity and value of criminological research

• Topics covered

• Description

• Assessments

• Textbooks

• About Griffith University

Entry requirements

Prior study

To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:

one of

• GRF-CCJ19 (Not currently available)

• GRF-CCJ109-Doing Criminology

You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:

one of

• GRF-CCJ209-Quantitative Methods for Social Research

• GRF-CCJ29 (Not currently available)

Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• GRF-CCJ32 (Not currently available)

Others

Students who have completed more than 2 OUA units (GPA 4.0+) and are planning on completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to enrol in the degree. Part of this process will involve registering your study plan with Griffith University, which will help to ensure that you are studying the required units.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Study load

0.125 EFTSL

This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.

Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.

Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.