Exploring the Social World: Insights and Approaches
UndergraduateLTU-SOC3MSR2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Exploring the Social World: Insights and Approaches
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate and apply diverse research methods and strategies in order to identify complex social problems in need of creative solutions.
- Work collaboratively to generate and manage new ideas and evaluate their impact.
- Identify ethical issues and report on research practice and findings clearly.
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research
- Interviews and Focus Groups
- Surveys and Questionnaire Design
- Secondary Data
- Document Analysis
- Research Ethics
Are you curious about certain social phenomena, behaviours, or cultural trends but unsure how to delve deeper into them? Or do you wonder how to apply theoretical ideas from your studies to better understand the world around you? This subject offers an immersive experience that empowers you to explore the complexities of the social world by integrating sociological perspectives with practical approaches. You will engage with real-world examples and conduct research projects to investigate social phenomena and current issues, developing essential skills to tackle social challenges and identify evidence-based solutions. You will learn to formulate research questions and critically evaluate the suitability of various research strategies and methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document analysis) as well as the use of diverse information sources within dynamic social contexts. In previous years, students in this subject have explored timely research topics related to: communication in the digital era; youth employment trends and social inequality; socio-cultural influences on wellbeing; and public views on immigration. This subject will help to enhance your analytical abilities through hands-on training in social inquiry, while also supporting your capacity for innovative and ethical research. It is intended to nurture your growth and preparation for both educational advancement and professional opportunities.
- Online test of research methods (equivalent to 1000 words) (25%)
- Online test of research ethics (equivalent to 300 words) (10%)
- Research project (data collection and analysis; peer review involved; equivalent to 800 words) (15%)
- Research project (final report; equivalent to 2000 words) (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 30 credit points of Level two subjects.
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed SOC2MSR (Social Research Methods) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
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.
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