DEMO8087 Online Research Methods

Offered By	Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Demography
Offered in	Second Semester, 2011 and Second Semester, 2012
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	The World Wide Web is only around 20 years old, but it has transformed the way we work, collaborate, engage in commerce, participate in the political process and interact socially. This course will provide students with thorough training in online research methods for social science Internet research. While "obtrusive" social research methods (e.g. online surveys and focus groups) will be covered, there will be greater emphasis on unobstrusive research methods, e.g. quantitative (statistical) analysis of Internet trace data from emails, websites, blogsites and social networking sites such as Facebook.
Learning Outcomes	By taking this course, students will acquire important skills necessary for conducting empirical social science Internet research both in academic and industry settings. Students will learn: What online research methods are best suited for researching various economic, political and social phenomena on the Internet, and how do these differ from methods traditionally used by social scientists? What are the available tools and data for online research? How to collect and analyse data from the Internet? How to design and implement a research project that uses online research methods? What are the ethical implications of the various online research methods?
Indicative Assessment	Class attendance and participation (10%), two written assignments - 6500 words total (90%)
Workload	Two ninety minute sessions on campus per week.
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Areas of Interest	Marketing, Political Communication, Political Sciences, Population Studies, Science Communication, Social Research, and Sociology
Assumed Knowledge and Required Skills	Students are expected to be familiar with using a computer and using a web browser in particular. It is expected that students will have had some exposure to quantitative or qualitative social science research methods.
Recommended Courses	DEMO8007 Statistics for Social Scientists or equivalent, DEMO8086 Social Science of the Internet
Consent Required	Students not enrolled in the Master of Social Research or the Graduate Certificate in Social Research require permission of the Masters Coordinator, Dr Robert Ackland, to enrol in this course. Please email him on adsri.study@anu.edu.au
Indicative Reading List	A complete set of course notes, including additional readings will be supplied.
Technology Requirements	Students will need to access the Internet using the Firefox web browser (software used in the class does not currently work with Internet Explorer).
Programs	Master of Social Research and Master of Social Research
Other Information	Students undertaking the "Social Science of the Internet" stream of the Master of Social Research must take this course and DEMO8086 Social Science of the Internet. This course can be selected as one of two DEMO methods courses that students undertaking the "Social Research Methods" stream of the Master of Social Research are required to take. This course is available via distance learning.
Academic Contact	Dr Robert Ackland

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.