ATS2723 Social research methods
Faculty of Arts
ATS2723 Social research methods is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before ATS2723
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ATS2723
No unit lists ATS2723 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units or Science units SCI1501 and SCI1502. It is highly recommended that you only take this unit after you have completed two gateway units in Sociology or Behavioural studies.
Prohibition: ATS3723, AZA2490, AZA2723, AZA3723
Overview
Doing social science research requires us to think conceptually, to systematically plan how we might obtain valid information relevant to the research questions we are asking, and to analyse information. Because social science research draws on people's experiences, its conduct inevitably raises ethical and political questions. In this unit, we will discuss these issues. We will also consider various qualitative and quantitative research strategies and data gathering techniques available to us when we seek to document the social world.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-class testQuiz / Test10%
- Literature reviewWritten20%
- In-class testQuiz / Test30%
- Research proposalWritten40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
An understanding of the strengths, limitations and appropriate applications of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research;
- 2
Knowledge of methods commonly used in both quantitative and qualitative research;
- 3
Understanding of the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations in research;
- 4
Knowledge of issues related to the design and implementation of social science research.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Required resources
This unit requires access to a laptop that meets minimum specifications (https://www.monash.edu/esolutions/students/bring-your-own-device-byod). Free specialist software is available via MoVE (https://www.monash.edu/learning-teaching/innovation/learning-technologies/move).
The unit will use specific software applications. Instructions will be given to you on how to access and install relevant software.
Where it fits
ATS2723 is part of 8 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- BEHVRSTD03Level 2 or 3 elective unitBehavioural studiesNo reviews yet
- BEHVRSTD01Level 2 and 3 elective unitsBehavioural StudiesNo reviews yet
- CRIMINOL06Level 2 and 3 elective unitsCriminologyNo reviews yet
- CRIMINOL09Level 2 and 3 elective unitsCriminologyNo reviews yet
- HUMNGEOG06Level 2 and 3 elective unitsHuman geographyNo reviews yet
- HUMNGEOG09Level 2 and 3 elective unitsHuman geographyNo reviews yet
- SOCIOLG05Level 2 cornerstone unitsSociologyNo reviews yet
- SOCIOLG06Level 2 and 3 elective unitsSociologyNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Dharmalingam Arunachalam
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Dharmalingam Arunachalam
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ATS2723?
ATS2723 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ATS2723 offered?
In 2026, ATS2723 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ATS2723?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ATS2723 have an exam?
No. ATS2723 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ATS2723?
ATS2723 is part of Behavioural studies, Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Human geography and Sociology.