JSQ167 Public Sector Research
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSQ167 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | JSN167 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,756 |
Unit Outline: Session 1 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ167 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
It is essential that students have knowledge and understanding of applied research so that they may work effectively in professional research and policy contexts (e.g. government, non-government and academic). This unit builds applied research and policy evaluation knowledge and skills for use in public policy development.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply research and evaluation concepts and methods (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
- Apply knowledge of concepts and processes of research ethics (CLOs 2.2, 2.4)
- Critically analyse qualitative and quantitative social data, making judgements based on risk analysis to provide rational, real world solutions to complex problems (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3)
- Communicate professionally and strategically to clarify complex information for diverse stakeholders (CLOs 2.3, 3.1, 3.2)
Content
Module 1 - Research Methods
- Principles of research
- Critical research literacy
Module 2 - Research Skills
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Designing qualitative research
- Research ethics including working with indigenous communities
- Designing quantitative research
Module 3 - Evidence-Based Policy
- Doing research
- Understanding and interpreting basic statistics
- Communicating research findings
Learning Approaches
This research unit provides you with key applied research skills.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Independent, self paced learning through module content and learning activities that introduce you to the theory, context and key concepts for each topic
- Online activities and readings to apply your knowledge and practice your research skills
- Collaborative sessions to work with your team on your research projects and receive feedback from your communities of practice and the teaching team
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
The following types of feedback will assist you to develop the knowledge and skills in this unit:
- Self-feedback in the form of online written reflections
- Peer feedback in the form of group discussion and online collaborative sessions
- Adaptive feedback in the form of online interactive learning activities and quizzes
- Teacher feedback in the online collaborative sessions, discussion boards, and written feedback on assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are two different pieces of summative assessment for this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
You will produce a literature review on your research topic in accordance with the literature review template.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Research Proposal
You will write a research plan based on the gaps in the knowledge of the literature review. This plan will include a detailed methodology. Word count: 3000 words.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Required reading
Readings will be provided via QUT Readings, e-books and articles in the QUT library, and web links.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative. Pearson Education Limited
Recommended text(s)
Babbie, E (2013). The Practice of Social Research, 13th ed. Belmont (CA), Wadsworth
Bartels, L and Richards, K (2011). Qualitative Criminology: Stories from the Field. Sydney: Hawkins Press
Hagan, F (2005). Essentials of Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Boston: Pearson
Halperin, S. & Heath, O. (2020). Political research: methods and practical skills. Oxford University Press, USA.
Westmarland, L (2011). Researching Crime and Justice: Tales from the Field. London: Routledge
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ45 Master of Justice
- Critically analyse research, data and evidence and apply to justice practices and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically interpret and convey critical information to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Examine how ethics, intersectionality and contextual factors converge to impact on and shape social justice issues.
Relates to: ULO2, Literature Review, Research Proposal
Unit Outline: Session 3 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ167 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
It is essential that students have knowledge and understanding of applied research so that they may work effectively in professional research and policy contexts (e.g. government, non-government and academic). This unit builds applied research and policy evaluation knowledge and skills for use in public policy development.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply research and evaluation concepts and methods (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
- Apply knowledge of concepts and processes of research ethics (CLOs 2.2, 2.4)
- Critically analyse qualitative and quantitative social data, making judgements based on risk analysis to provide rational, real world solutions to complex problems (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3)
- Communicate professionally and strategically to clarify complex information for diverse stakeholders (CLOs 2.3, 3.1, 3.2)
Content
Module 1 - Research Methods
- Principles of research
- Critical research literacy
Module 2 - Research Skills
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Designing qualitative research
- Research ethics including working with indigenous communities
- Designing quantitative research
Module 3 - Evidence-Based Policy
- Doing research
- Understanding and interpreting basic statistics
- Communicating research findings
Learning Approaches
This research unit provides you with key applied research skills.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Independent, self paced learning through module content and learning activities that introduce you to the theory, context and key concepts for each topic
- Online activities and readings to apply your knowledge and practice your research skills
- Collaborative sessions to work with your team on your research projects and receive feedback from your communities of practice and the teaching team
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
The following types of feedback will assist you to develop the knowledge and skills in this unit:
- Self-feedback in the form of online written reflections
- Peer feedback in the form of group discussion and online collaborative sessions
- Adaptive feedback in the form of online interactive learning activities and quizzes
- Teacher feedback in the online collaborative sessions, discussion boards, and written feedback on assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are two different pieces of summative assessment for this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
You will produce a literature review on your research topic in accordance with the literature review template.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Research Proposal
You will write a research plan based on the gaps in the knowledge of the literature review. This plan will include a detailed methodology. Word count: 3000 words.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Required reading
Readings will be provided via QUT Readings, e-books and articles in the QUT library, and web links.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative. Pearson Education Limited
Recommended text(s)
Babbie, E (2013). The Practice of Social Research, 13th ed. Belmont (CA), Wadsworth
Bartels, L and Richards, K (2011). Qualitative Criminology: Stories from the Field. Sydney: Hawkins Press
Hagan, F (2005). Essentials of Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Boston: Pearson
Halperin, S. & Heath, O. (2020). Political research: methods and practical skills. Oxford University Press, USA.
Westmarland, L (2011). Researching Crime and Justice: Tales from the Field. London: Routledge
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ45 Master of Justice
- Critically analyse research, data and evidence and apply to justice practices and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically interpret and convey critical information to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Proposal - Examine how ethics, intersectionality and contextual factors converge to impact on and shape social justice issues.
Relates to: ULO2, Literature Review, Research Proposal