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Unit outline_

BACH5255: Qualitative Research Methods

Semester 2, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit focuses on qualitative research methodologies, including the disciplinary traditions that contribute to qualitative methodologies and the construction of knowledge using qualitative methods. The implications of methodology for research design will be examined, as will approaches to data collection and analysis. Activities to build skills in research design, data collection and data analysis will be included. Students will work on a research project of their choice throughout the semester.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Participation Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Justin McNab, justin.mcnab@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Justin McNab, justin.mcnab@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 2
Draft research proposal
60% STUVAC
Due date: 15 Nov 2020 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Assignment 1
essay based on contributions to discussion board about research methodology
40% Week 09
Due date: 11 Oct 2020 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Assignment 1 – essay based on contributions to discussion board about research methodology

Assignment 2 – draft research proposal 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Unless an application for special consideration or special arrangement has been approved, students must submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified in the unit of study outline. If the assessment is completed or submitted within an approved period of extension by way of an approved special consideration application, academic plan adjustment or informal simple extension (approved in writing), no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. If an assessment is submitted after the due date (or extended due date as described above), the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows: Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Methodology and method in qualitative research Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Overview of methodologies in qualitative research Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Overview of methodologies in qualitative research Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 The qualitative researcher Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Unobtrusive qualitative research Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Interviews and focus groups Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Content, discourse and visual methods Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Analysing qualitative data Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Analysing qualitative data Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Mixed methods Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Participatory research Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Writing your research proposal chapter Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements: As this unit will be presented in distance education mode, all learning materials for this unit of study are available on the eLearning site. Online activities including listening to and watching materials provided and discussing these materials and unit readings on the discussion board. You are expected to undertake the activities as listed on the eLearning site. The site contains administrative information (for example, the detailed unit outline, announcement, assessment information, and assessment results), learning materials (lecture materials, readings, and links to relevant websites), and communication facilities (discussion board).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the principles of qualitative research design and implementation
  • LO2. critically reflect on qualitative approaches to health research and the varying methods used
  • LO3. communicate your knowledge about qualitative research through discussion with your peers and in written form
  • LO4. apply your knowledge of qualitative methodology and method to project design.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updates to lecture content

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.