Social Research unit (HGA280)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

This unit introduces students to the world of social research. It answers questions about how to understand, interpret, and collect data, and explores the research methods used to investigate and solve social problems. The unit covers a wide range of social research approaches, and illustrates how these can be used to address specific, real-world problems. The unit includes an introduction to how to establish a research question, select appropriate methods for investigation, collect and analyse data, draw conclusions from research findings, and present results. The unit will allow students to discuss approaches to conducting research across different fields of study and real-world contexts. These include health, education, business, sociology, criminology, social work, government, police studies, media, geography and psychology. The unit will provide a foundation for studying further research approaches in different disciplines, developing basic skills for undertaking research in the workplace, and for higher level studies in research.

Summary

Unit name	Social Research
Unit code	HGA280
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator	Associate Professor Peta Cook
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	4/7/2027	26/7/2027	29/8/2027	23/10/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the social research process.
• Differentiate between social research approaches and methods.
• Apply social research method/s to a range of complex social problems and issues.
• Communicate research and research findings clearly for academic and non-academic audiences.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HGA303 AND HGA203 |XBR212

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On Campus: Weekly (recorded) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly face-to-face tutorial (2 hours). Online: Weekly (recorded) lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly online tutorials and/or participation in discussion boards (2 hours).
Assessment	Quiz (20%)|Interview (30%)|Plan (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Walter, M. (ed) (2019) Social research methods. 4th edition. South Melbourne: Oxford. Other required reading materials will be released through the UTAS Library Reading List service. Refer to the Unit Schedule and MyLO for further information.
Recommended	Recommended readings will be released through the UTAS Library Reading List service. Refer to the Unit Schedule and MyLO for further information.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.