Key facts
UNE unit code: GEPL338
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information

Research plays an important role in our changing world: businesses, government agencies and civil society organisations rely on research to inform their decision-making and produce sound public policy.
The range of research issues, methods and theories is vast and no unit on research methods could hope to cover them all. Instead, in this unit we focus on equipping you with the tools and competencies you need to go forward as a confident researcher, whether your next research project is a social planning assessment, an honours thesis or some other project.
We do so by providing you with practical exercises and assessments alongside lectures that will build your knowledge and skills in research.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an awareness of the key issues relating to research and knowledge of a variety of theories, concepts, data collection techniques and sampling frameworks use in qualitative and quantitative research;
- demonstrate an ability to collect, interprete, analyse and evaluate academic literature;
- apply knowledge of research design to the design of an independent research project, from topic development through to data collection;
- demonstrate a capacity to think logically about the research process and its relationship to research design and implimentation; and
- present your ideas to different audiences in a variety of written formats.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Oral - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Ten-minutes (approx.) per student Students must pass the Assurance Task in order to pass the unit. No. Words: 2500 (equivalent) |
| Research Exercise | Yes | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 1000 |
| Small Discussion Group | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Seven-minutes (approx.) per student No. Words: 1500 (equivalent) |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Key Methods in Geography
ISBN: 9781529772098
Clifford, Nicholas Cope, Meghan Gillespie, Thomas W. (editors), Sage 4th 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Research Design in Urban Planning : A Student′s Guide
ISBN: 9781473921375
Stuart Farthing, Sage 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
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