Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Methods of Inquiry

• Unit Code

  CMM6116

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

Description

This unit introduces a suite of research methodologies which will equip communications, media and design students to research at postgraduate level. Rather than offering recipes for methods, it will provide a challenging environment to explore the epistemological origins of methodology. Students will investigate the possibilities offered by emerging, as well as traditional, methodologies and develop reflexive practices. This unit will uncover the dynamic relationships between analysis, interpretation and effective research writing.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CMM5114, CMM5116

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Explain discourses surrounding academic research.
2. Demonstrate specific knowledge about methodologies by appropriate choices for projects.
3. Devise data collection strategies or design practical investigations appropriate to a program of communication, media or design research.
4. Analyse and interpret information gathered using different methodological approaches.
5. Evaluate and write about research methodology to academic publication standard.

Unit Content

1. Discourses of inquiry and epistemological perspectives.
2. Research questions, methods choices and research program plans.
3. Methodologies applied to research in communication, media and design contexts: - Interpretive/qualitative methods - Evaluation and testing methods - Action/participatory methods - Arts-based/practice-led methods - Reflexivity across methods
4. Analytical and interpretive techniques.
5. Research writing for academic publication.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, Seminars and Workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ Edith Cowan University. (2010). CMM5116 Methods of inquiry: Book of Readings. Perth, Australia: Edith Cowan University.
• Alvesson, M., & Skoldberg, K. (2014). Reflexive methodology: New vistas for qualitative research. (2nd ed.). London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
• Babbie, E. (2010). The practice of social research. (12th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.
• Creswell, J.W. (2012). Qualitative inquiry & research design : Choosing among five approaches. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Crouch, C. & Pearce, J. (2012). Doing research in design. London, United Kingdom: Berg.
• de Vaus, D.A. (2014). Surverys in social research. (6th ed.) Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
• Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.). (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Gray, C., & Malins, J. (2004). Visualizing research: A guide to the research process in art and design. Farnham, United Kingdom: Ashgate.
• Sullivan, G. (2010). Art practice as research: Inquiry in visual arts. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Wimmer, R.D., & Dominick, J.R. (2013). Mass media research: An introduction. (10th ed.). Belmont: Cengage Learning.

^ Mandatory reference