Master of Applied Social Research
Course summary for current students
Division of Student Administration (DSA)
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au
Arts and Education Postgraduate Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries
Tel 03 9244 6007
or 03 9251 7071
artsed-pg@deakin.edu.au
Course Director
Karen Lane, +61 3 924 43977, karen.lane@deakin.edu.au
Contact the Course Director for matters relating specifically to the academic content of this course - all enrolment related queries must go to the Student Support Office.
B = Melbourne Burwood Campus
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Applied Social Research |
|---|---|
| Campus | Off campus*
*All students should note that attendance on campus will be required for ASC744 Analysis of Quantitative Data, offered as intensive weekend study. |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Deakin course code | A719 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Alternative exits
- Fees and charges
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Details of specialisations
Course overview
The Master of Applied Social Research is designed to equip graduates with practical and analytical skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods. It aims to develop holistic social researchers who are confident and competent in designing, conducting, interpreting and presenting research. You will examine conceptual and theoretical frameworks informing the research environment as a means to operate effectively within it.
The focus of the program is on building a comprehensive suite of skills and knowledge that can be applied to the social research context. Course content covers the stages of conceptualising and planning research (including ethical, cultural and theoretical dimensions), as well as the requisite skills and techniques used to carry out qualitative and quantitative research (data collection, manipulation, analysis and dissemination). Elective offerings enable you to tailor your degree to your area of interest, with specialisms available in communication, gender, health and social policy.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Applied Social Research (A520) |
Fees and charges
Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.
Please be aware:
- Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
- Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
- Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Master of Applied Social Research, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study made up in one of the following ways:
- 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points of units chosen from a specialisation
OR
- 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points from elective list (chosen with the permission of the Course Director)
OR
- 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points of minor thesis (as pathway to PhD)
Specialisations
To qualify for a specialisation within the Master of Applied Social Research, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study including the following:
- 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points from within one of the following specialisations listed below
OR
- 4 credit points of core units, 2 credit points from within one of the following specialisations listed below and a 2 credit points research project (ASC745) in a related specialist area (as approved by the course director)
Students who complete a specialisation of four (4) credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Course structure
Core units
Trimester 1
| ASC741 | Conducting Qualitative Research (X) |
| ASC742 | Survey Research (X) |
Trimester 2
| ASC743 | Analysing Qualitative Data (B, X) |
| ASC744 | Analysis of Quantitative Data (X) |
Electives
Trimester 1
| AIP740 | Public Policy Analysis (X) |
| AIP747 | Policy and Program Evaluation (X) |
| ALC705 | Organisational Communication: Culture, Diversity, Technology and Change (B, X) |
| ALC706 | Culture, Communication and Globalisation: Critical Practices in/and Local Cultures (B, X) |
| ASD711 | Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning (X) |
| EXE738 | Policy Studies in Global and Local Contexts (B, X) |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health (B, X) |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies (B, X) |
| SLE721 | Policy and Planning for Sustainable Development (X) |
Trimester 2
| AID714 | Gender and Development (X) |
| AIP740 | Public Policy Analysis (X) |
| AIP777 | Accountability and Corporate Social Responsibility (X) |
| ALJ724 | Law Media and Communication (B, X) |
| ALR718 | New Activism, Communication and Citizenship (B, X) |
| ALW729 | Writing for Communication Media (B, X) |
| ASD710 | Submission and Tender Writing (X) |
| EXE732 | Social Justice and Difference (B, X) |
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| HSH703 | Health Promotion (B, X) |
Trimester 2 or trimester 3
| HSH705 | Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning (B, X) |
Minor Thesis units
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| ASC745 | Minor Thesis A (B, G, X) |
| ASC746 | Minor Thesis B (B, G, X) |
Note: Students may undertake any postgraduate unit offered within the Faculty of Arts and Education with approval of the Course Director.
Details of specialisations
Communications
This specialisation will provide you with a sound understanding of, and ability to operate within, culture and communications industries. Advanced knowledge of organisational culture, ethical practice and globalisation will equip you with specialised expertise of the sector in which applied research is conducted.
| ALC705 | Organisational Communication: Culture, Diversity, Technology and Change (B, X) |
| ALC706 | Culture, Communication and Globalisation: Critical Practices in/and Local Cultures (B, X) |
| ALR718 | New Activism, Communication and Citizenship (B, X) |
| ALW729 | Writing for Communication Media (B, X) |
| ASC745 | Minor Thesis A (B, G, X) |
Gender
Students undertaking this specialisation will be introduced to theoretical and conceptual frameworks to strategically approach and evaluate gender and other forms of social difference.
You will gain an appreciation of how gender is understood and utilised in a diverse range of applied contexts such as aid agencies, educational settings, human rights conventions and public policy documents.
| AID714 | Gender and Development (X) |
| AIP740 | Public Policy Analysis (X) |
| EXE732 | Social Justice and Difference (B, X) |
| ASC745 | Minor Thesis A (B, G, X) |
Health
With a focus on contemporary health issues and policies, program planning, evaluation and promotion, this specialisation provides a comprehensive framework with which you can confidently approach applied research in health settings.
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health (B, X) |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies (B, X) |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion (B, X) |
| HSH705 | Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning (B, X) |
| ASC745 | Minor Thesis A (B, G, X) |
Social Policy
This specialisation introduces applied social researchers to the latest conceptual frameworks and knowledge needed to understand the processes, practices and policies of governments, non-government organisations and other organisations.
| AIP747 | Policy and Program Evaluation (X) |
| AIP777 | Accountability and Corporate Social Responsibility (X) |
| ASD711 | Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning (X) |
| EXE738 | Policy Studies in Global and Local Contexts (B, X) |
| ASC745 | Minor Thesis A (B, G, X) |
