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 Outline: Session 1 2024, QUT Online, Online

Unit code:JSQ167
Credit points:12
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

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:

  1. Apply research and evaluation concepts and methods (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
  2. Apply knowledge of concepts and processes of research ethics (CLOs 2.2, 2.4)
  3. 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)
  4. 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.

Weight: 40
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

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.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties 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.