About the courseBecome a researcher and help solve the world’s problems.

Skillful social researchers are in high demand around the world, as organisations and government seek an understanding of public opinion relating to current issues or proposed changes that may affect society.

As such, the Master of Social Research Methods degree at The University of Western Australia (UWA) is the perfect capstone to any undergraduate degree, or the ideal complement to any professional working across fields that use information about people. Some research applications include: how to change unhealthy behaviours; why some groups are seen as deviant; the social patterns of violence; how people are using social media; people’s feelings about immigration; the impact a new business/industry may have; how relationships have changed over time, and, of course, much more.

This course delivers highly transferrable and much sought after social research skills with a ‘hands on’ approach, giving students the skills to find information and solutions to pressing social questions. It also provides the skills needed to prepare and present much needed research findings in ways that have an impact.

Students will gain an advanced understanding of a range of research methods, as well as the skills to conduct and present research. They will obtain first-hand experience in understanding, critiquing and undertaking social research and writing up results, including crafting a research project, understanding the ethical implications, identifying sources of funding and writing funding proposals. As well as core units on methods and ethics, students can take options in cultural/ethnographic research, biostatistics, gender research and social impact assessments, Aboriginal health research, historical research and geographical information systems.

About UWALocated on the beautiful Swan River in Perth, Western Australia, UWA is proud to have scored five star rankings in the Good Universities Guide 2014 for student demand, graduate outcomes, graduate starting salaries, getting a full-time job, research intensity and research grants.

UWA is recognised internationally and is ranked in the top 100 of the highly respected Shanghai-JiaoTong University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities.

UWA belongs to the Group of Eight (a coalition of the top research universities in Australia), it is one of only two Australian members of the Worldwide Universities Network and the only Australian member of the Matariki Network (a network of leading universities with long track records in research and teaching excellence).

FACULTY OF ARTS

Master of Social Research Methods

Course structureThis course may be completed full-time or part-time for domestic students, or full-time for international students. Students have up to 8 years to complete the Master of Social Research Methods.

Students who wish to exit the Master prior to completion (96 points) may graduate with a Graduate Certificate (24 points) or Graduate Diploma (48 points).

Core unitsSocial Research EthicsExplore the range of ethical issues that social research generates, including the notion of doing no harm, requirements around informed consent, issues of conflicts of interest, working with vulnerable groups, the dissemination of results, and the role of values in research.

Research ParadigmsUnderstand the ways people think about and approach research today, as well as consider how research has been thought about and conducted in the past. Examine the assumptions and theories of knowledge inherent in research projects and learn to evaluate various schools of thought.

Research Design and ResourcingThis unit focuses on the design of social research for academic and applied purposes, including the logic and methods of social inquiry and the application of social research methods to a range of contexts and social problems.

Quantitative InquiryDiscover the principles of research design (e.g. reliability, validity, the interpretation of quantitative data and the development of measuring instruments and scales) and the analysis of quantitative data from research and evaluation studies in education and the social sciences.

EvaluationGain the skills and knowledge needed to accurately assess the effectiveness and efficiency of social programs. Best practice requires that all projects, whether government, NGO or industry funded, include an evaluation component.

Qualitative Methods and AnalysisFocusing on design and outcomes of qualitative research as well as the collection and analysis of qualitative data, historical background, epistemological context and paradigm considerations. Also, develop and write qualitative research proposals and reports.

Master of Social Science Research Methods DissertationWith staff approval, students who satisfy the prerequisites may write a dissertation (15,000 words maximum) on a social research methods topic of their choice.

Innovative Social Research MethodsDiscover and critically analyse a range of new social research methods including PhotoVoice, action research, social media analysis and other approaches using technological innovations.

Optional unitsÌÌ Aboriginal Health Research and EthicsÌÌ BiostatisticsÌÌ Demonstrating Social ImpactÌÌ Doing Gendered ResearchÌÌ Engaging Cultural DifferenceÌÌ EthnographyÌÌ Geographic Information Systems

ApplicationsÌÌ Issues in Researching AsiaÌÌ Leadership for Social ImpactÌÌ Social Impact – Entrepreneurs and

Social InnovationÌÌ Strategic Communication

Career opportunitiesGraduates of the Master of Social Research Methods may find themselves working in a broad range of exciting careers, including public and private policy development, social research companies, organisations that work heavily with the community (e.g. mining, tourism, retail), the health industry and more.

ÌÌ Associate Professor Loretta Baldassar, Chair of Anthropology and sociology. Research leader in migration and transnationalism research.

ÌÌ Associate Professor Farida Fozdar, sociologist with extensive applied research experience. Research leader in migration and nationalism research.

ÌÌ Associate Professor Alison Bartlett, Chair of Gender Studies and research leader in feminist studies.

ÌÌ Professor Paul Flatau, Chair in Social Investment and Impact and Director of the UWA Business School

Centre for Social Impact. Research leader in social investment and housing research.

ÌÌ Associate Professor Jeannette Taylor, Chair of Political Science and International Relations. Research leader in the improvement of the operations of public organisations and governments.

ÌÌ Dr Ingrid Burkett, UWA Business School Centre for Social Impact. President of the International Association for Community Development. Research leader in social impact assessment.

ÌÌ Dr Rob Cover, Chair of Communication Studies. Research leader in strategic communication and media.

ÌÌ Dr Shino Konishi, Historian and Associate Professor in the School of Indigenous Studies and the School of Humanities.

ÌÌ Dr Bryan Boruff, Centre for Regional Development, School of Earth and Environment. Research leader in risk and vulnerability assessments.

CRICOS Provider Code: 00126G UniPrint 117051

Meet your International Lecturing Team:

How do I apply?Admission requirementsApplicants need to have achieved an average mark of at least 65% in their undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualifications or life-skills, as recognised by the Faculty.

Language requirementsEnglish: IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with individual items no less than 6.0.

How to apply The course will commence in February 2016, with applications opening on 28 September 2015. To apply online, domestic and international applicants should visit studyat.uwa.edu.au/postgraduate/apply

Scholarships and grantsVarious scholarships are available. Please contact the Postgraduate Administration Office for more information (contact details listed).

Key dates Applications for a beginning of year entry open in September and close mid January. Applications for a mid-year entry open in April and close mid June. International students are encouraged to apply early, allowing sufficient time for the processing of their application and to secure a student visa.

Further informationThe Postgraduate Administration Office Faculty of ArtsThe University of Western Australia35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009Tel: +61 8 6488 2853Email: postgrad-arts@uwa.edu.auWeb: studyat.uwa.edu.au/courses/master-of-social-research-methods-coursework