Outline

Overview

How do people make and use new media technologies? To answer this question you need to know how to conduct research: a systematic investigation using carefully chosen and ethically sound methods. In this unit students prepare a research proposal to improve knowledge about the social implications of the latest developments in information technologies. They build their methodology by choosing a combination of methods: big data analysis; ethnography, interviews, surveys, online methods, discourse analysis, content analysis and/or case studies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(6 credit points at 2000 level in ARIN and (12 credit points at 1000 level in ARIN or 1000 level in MECO)) or (12 credit points at 2000 level in DECO or DESN)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ARIN2000
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chris Chesher, chris.chesher@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Annotated bibliography Write a draft title for your project Write 3 research questions Write an annotated bibliography that includes twelve scholarly sources: Conceptual sources (脳4), Methodological sources (脳4), Field sources (x4).	25%	Week 04 Due date: 28 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 23 Jul 2026	1100 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	3-minute thesis video Create a 3-minute video featuring a mix of content types that tightly presents your project's thesis (900wds equivalent per student) and one exegesis (200 words per student).	25%	Week 08 Closing date: 30 Oct 2026	3 minute video + exegesis	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Conference-style paper All team members present on their project (100 words equivalent each) and participate in a Q&A	0%	Week 12 Closing date: 06 Nov 2026	5-mins per team. 100 words equiv/student	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research proposal Write one proposal (2000 wds per team member) + 200 wd statements of contribution each) Research proposal including abstract, introduction / significance, research questions, literature review, methodology, ethical considerations and viability.	50%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Dec 2026	In teams: 2000wd pp + 200wd statement ea	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Exemplary
Distinction	75 - 84	Very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Good standard with demonstrated effort
Pass	50 - 64	Acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	Failure to meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

听

For more information see .

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the听Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website听provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the听Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)听which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a听simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for听special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,听听includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy听reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is Digital Cultures Research?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introductions and writing annotations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Why We Mix Methods	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Class-wide annotated bibliography	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	The Research Process	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Frame field site & draft research questions	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Digital Research Ethics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Research ethics exercises	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Digital Ethnography	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Digital ethnography exercises	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Interviews and focus groups	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Focus group and interviewing exercises	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Surveys	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Write, complete surveys and analyse results	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Qualitative text analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Qualitative coding exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Computational text analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Show student videos with Q&A	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Computational analysis exercise	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Platform and interface analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Platform analysis and walkthrough	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Visual analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Visual analysis and image generation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Research design: Putting it all together	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Conference presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Writing research proposals	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Revision workshop & final troubleshooting	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner鈥檚 Board. The Examiner鈥檚 Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours鈥� preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

ARIN3620: Researching Digital Cultures, Semester 2 2026

Required textbook

Lindgren S. & Krutr枚k M听Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. Sage 2024. 听

Week 1: What is Digital Cultures Research?

Lindgren & Eriksson, ed. Chapter 1. In: Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. Sage; 2024:249 pages :

Johnson MR. Humour and Comedy in Digital Game Live Streaming. New media & society. 2024;26(6):3045-3067. doi:10.1177/14614448221095160

Chan LS. Multiple uses and anti-purposefulness on Momo, a Chinese dating/social app. Information, communication & society. 2020;23(10):1515-1530. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2019.1586977

Matamoros-Fern谩ndez A. Platformed racism: the mediation and circulation of an Australian race-based controversy on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Information, communication & society. 2017;20(6):930-946. doi:10.1080/1369118X.2017.1293130听

Week 2: Why we mix methods

Chapter 2 in 6.Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Chapter 1 in Beatty L. Writing the Annotated Bibliography : A Guide for Students and Researchers . 1st ed. (Cochran CA, ed.). Routledge; 2021.听

Week 3: The Research Process

Chapter 3 in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.
听

Alvesson M. Constructing Research Questions: Doing Interesting Research . Second edition. Sage Publications Ltd; 2024. doi:10.4135/9781529682588

Week 4: Digital Research Ethics
Chapter 4 in 鈥楧igital Research Ethics鈥� in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

National Health and Medical Research Council, A. R. C. and U. A. (2025). National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. National Health and Medical Research Council. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/national-statement-ethical-conduct-human-research-2025

Week 5: Digital Ethnography

Chapter 5 in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Week 6: Interviews and Focus Groups

May T. Interviewing: methods and process. In: Social Research Issues, Methods and Process . 4th ed. Open University Press; 2011:131-160.

Cronin A. Focus Groups. In: Gilbert GNigel, ed. Researching Social Life . 2nd ed. Sage Publications; 2001:164-176.

Week 7: Surveys

Rea LM. Designing and Conducting Survey Research : A Comprehensive Guide . 4th ed. (Parker RA, Wallace C, eds.). Jossey-Bass; 2014.

Week 8: Qualitative Text Analysis

Chapter 6 in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Week 9: Computational Text Analysis
Chapter 7 in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Week 10: Platform and Interface Analysis

Chapter 10 in Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Light B, Burgess J, Duguay S. The walkthrough method: An approach to the study of apps. New media & society. 2018;20(3):881-900. doi:10.1177/1461444816675438

Week 11: Visual Analysis
Lindgren S. Researching Digital Media and Society . 1st ed. (Eriksson Krutr枚k M, ed.). Sage; 2024.

Week 12: Research Design
Richardson L. Writing: a method of inquiry. In: Hesse-Biber SNagy, Leavy P, eds. Approaches to Qualitative Research : A Reader on Theory and Practice . Oxford University Press; 2004:473-495.
Ridley D. The Literature Review : A Step-by-Step Guide for Students . 2nd edition. SAGE; 2012.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Identify and frame a research problem in digital cultures, articulating its significance and the methodological approaches appropriate to investigating it.
LO2. Critically survey existing scholarship in a defined area of digital media and society research, evaluating the methodological choices of existing studies and identifying gaps in current knowledge.
LO3. Apply and evaluate a range of digital research methods through structured practical exercises.
LO4. Design a methodologically coherent research proposal that demonstrates understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks, research methods, and ethical considerations appropriate to the study of digital cultures.
LO5. Collaborate effectively in a research team, negotiating a shared intellectual project, dividing and integrating work, and documenting individual contributions.
LO6. Communicate research problems and designs clearly and persuasively across different formats, including written and multimodal forms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been updated and redesigned for 2026 with a new textbook, structure and assessments.

Additional information

All assessments must be attempted to pass this unit of study.听

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

爆料王

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARIN3620: Researching Digital Cultures

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links