POLS20034 The Craft of Political Research

University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.

• No final exam: all coursework
• About 2.5 class hours a week
• 20% group work

Is POLS20034 hard?

POLS20034: Easier. Not counted by Bachelor of Science, so it isn't on its lists. Makes it easier: No final exam, Only 2.5 class hours a week. No student reviews yet — based on the Handbook only.

What you learn

How political and social research is designed and done, mainly with qualitative methods, and how to judge whether research is good.

After it you can

• Explain different ways of knowing in social science
• Compare research methods and their limits
• Judge the quality and ethics of a study

What you need first

25 points from POLS10001, POLS10003, INTS10001 or (AHIS10001 and ARTS10005 and CRIM10001 and ENGL10002 and HPSC10002 and INDG10001 and LANG10001 and LING10002 and PHIL10002 and POLS10003 and SOCI10001 and ASIA10003 and HIST10015 and POLS10001 and INTS10001)

• POLS10001 Australian Politics
• POLS10003 Introduction to Political Ideas
• INTS10001 International Politics
• AHIS10001 Art History: Theory and Controversy
• ARTS10005 The Buddhist Universe
• CRIM10001 Crime, Criminology, and Critique
• ENGL10002 Literary Canons: Then and Now
• HPSC10002 Science, Philosophy and Society
• INDG10001 Indigenous Australia
• LANG10001 The Power of Language
• LING10002 Intercultural Communication
• PHIL10002 Philosophy: The Big Questions
• SOCI10001 Understanding Society
• ASIA10003 Asia, Australia and the World
• HIST10015 Dictators & Democrats: The Modern World

What it leads to

• POLS30001 Parliamentary Internship
• POLS30003 Public Affairs Internship
• POLS30035 Policy Design: From Theory to Practice

Can’t be taken together with

• MULT20003

How it’s assessed

Assignments 30%, Reports and essays 20%, Projects 50%

Student reviews and ratings

No student reviews yet — be the first to rate it.

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Quick answers

When is POLS20034 offered?

Runs in 2026: Semester 1.

What do I need before taking POLS20034?

Needs 25 points from POLS10001, POLS10003, INTS10001 or (AHIS10001 and ARTS10005 and CRIM10001 and ENGL10002 and HPSC10002 and INDG10001 and LANG10001 and LING10002 and PHIL10002 and POLS10003 and SOCI10001 and ASIA10003 and HIST10015 and POLS10001 and INTS10001).

Does POLS20034 have a final exam?

No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Assignments 30%, Reports and essays 20%, Projects 50%.

How many class hours a week does POLS20034 have?

2.5 h a week in class

Can I take POLS20034 as breadth?

No, it isn’t listed as breadth for any course.

What can I take after POLS20034?

3 subjects need it first, for example POLS30001, POLS30003, POLS30035.

Can I rate POLS20034?

Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.

Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026

Always confirm in the official Handbook.

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