Important Aspects of University Experiences for SSAP Students

This research explores the important aspects of university experiences for SSAP students. It includes a summary of the research methodology, data interpretation from interviews and surveys, and recommendations for future use of findings. The study focuses on the School of Social Sciences and Psychology and aims to understand the significance of these aspects to the students.

Running head: RESEARCH
‘What are important aspects of the university experiences for SSAP (School of Social
Sciences and Psychology) you and why are these aspects important to you?’

RESEARCH 2
Table of Contents
Summary of method....................................................................................................................................3
Data interpretation.......................................................................................................................................3
Interview.................................................................................................................................................3
Survey through questionnaire..................................................................................................................5
Recommendations for future use of findings.............................................................................................18
References.................................................................................................................................................19
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................20

RESEARCH 3
Summary of method
In this research, primary data collection method is used for gathering the information about the
important aspects of the university experiences for SSAP student. This primary data is collected
by using different sources such as interview and survey through questionnaire. Furthermore, both
qualitative and quantitative research data is gathered by using these sources. In this way,
qualitative data is captured through interview and quantitative research data is obtained through
survey (monkey survey) (Kumar, 2019). Furthermore, total 10 questions and 25 respondents
(Students) are selected in survey from Western University as well as 2 experienced academic
staff and 2 expert students is selected from Western university for interview. The length of time
for completing this research is 10 min. Researcher provided guidelines before starting the survey
(Flick, 2015). Investigator gave right to respondents that they can skip the questions in case of
any personal issues and also told them that researcher will not share confidential data of
participants to anyone. This helps to ethically conduct the research (Mackey, and Gass, 2015).
For analysing the qualitative data, content analysis is used as it helps to gain depth understanding
about the collected coding from interview. Along with this, statistical data analysis method is
used to analyse the quantitative data. In this way, Univariate analysis is used for assessing the
pooled data through frequency analysis and measuring central tendency (Silverman, 2016).
Data interpretation
Interview
Table 1: What experience do you have in Western Sydney University during SSAP (School
of Social Sciences and Psychology) course?
Coding level 1 (SSAP
Academic staff)
Coding level 1 (SSAP
student)
Quotes
Flexible career options Wide range of career option All social science courses
support students to create a

RESEARCH 4
wide range of transferable
skills as well as, open up
several career choices.
Curiosity Interesting subject Social sciences subjects
permits students to looking
inward, and use psychology,
or looking towards society as
a whole
(Sources: Western university)
From table, it is found that both academic staff and student share their different experiences
about Western Sydney University during SSAP courses. In this way, academic staff give
response such as “flexible career options” as well as, student gave responses like “wide range of
career option”. It indicates that all social science courses support students to create a wide range
of transferable skills as well as, open up several career choices. It is illustrated that some
academic staff gave responses like “Curiosity” as well as, some student share experiences like
“Interesting subject”. It indicates that social sciences subjects permits students to looking inward,
and use psychology, or looking towards society as a whole.
Table 2: Aspects on their involvement in research activities throughout the undergraduate
curriculum
Coding level 1 (SSAP
Academic staff)
Coding level 1 (SSAP
student)
Quotes
Information technology Use of Technology University provides
technology and IT system in
performing research activities
throughout the undergraduate
curriculum
Involvement Knowledge University involve the SSAP
student in all research activity
and it helps to develop the
knowledge.
(Sources: Western university)
From table, it is found that both academic staff and student have different aspects on their
involvement in research activities throughout the undergraduate curriculum. In this way,
academic staff give response such as “Information technology” as well as, student gave
responses like “Use of Technology”. It indicates that university provides technology and IT
system in performing research activities throughout the undergraduate curriculum. It is also
illustrated that some academic staff gave responses like “Involvement” as well as, some student

RESEARCH 5
share experiences like “Knowledge”. It indicates that university involve the SSAP student in all
research activity and it helps to develop the knowledge.
Table 3: Aspects on developing research skills of SSAP scholar
Coding level 1 (SSAP
Academic staff)
Coding level 1 (SSAP
student)
Quotes
Jobs that make a difference Unique job Social sciences subjects
naturally lead to progression
into the kinds of careers that
make a very real difference to
society.
Understanding Further research University develops the
understanding that helps in
doing the further research.
(Sources: Western university)
From table, it is found that both academic staff and student have different aspects on developing
research skills of SSAP scholar. In this way, academic staff give response such as “Jobs that
make a difference” as well as, student gave responses like “Unique job”. It indicates that social
sciences subjects naturally lead to progression into the kinds of careers that make a very real
difference to society. It is also explained that some academic staff gave responses like
“Understanding” as well as, some student share experiences like “Further research”. It indicates
that university develops the understanding that helps in doing the further research.
Table 4: Aspects on making connections across subjects and out to the world
Coding level 1 (SSAP
Academic staff)
Coding level 1 (SSAP
student)
Quotes
Connect different people Opportunity to connect with
society
It connects different people in
SSAP courses along with,
provides the chances to link
with the society.
Flexibility to learn Motivating towards society University provides flexibility
to learn as well as motivating
the students to work
differently towards their
society.
(Sources: Western university)
From the analysis of above table, it is observed that both students and academic staff provide
their different views related to aspects on making connections across subjects and out to the
world. Academic staff stated that SSAP courses connect different people whereas students
opined that SSAP course offers Opportunity to connect with society. It indicates that SSAP
courses not only connect different people but also it provides the chance to link with the society.

RESEARCH 6
Further, it is also demonstrated that certain academic staff viewed that university provides
flexibility to learn whereas, some of the students believed that university motivate students
towards the society. It indicates that university provides flexibility to learn as well as motivating
the students to work differently towards their society.
Survey through questionnaire
Table 5: frequency table of Gender
Gender Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Male 13 52%
Female 12 48%
Table 6: Descriptive statistics of Gender
Gender
Mean 12.5
Standard Error 0.5
Median 12.5
Mode #N/A
Standard Deviation 0.707106781
Sample Variance 0.5
Range 1
Minimum 12
Maximum 13
Sum 25
Count 2
Chart 1: Pie chart of Gender

RESEARCH 7
With respect to the above table, it is found that mean value is 12.5, median value is 12.5. From
the analysis of chart is it assessed that survey through questionnaire is conducted on 52% male
and 48% females.
Table 7: frequency table of Age-group
Age-group Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
17-26 19 76%
27-36 4 16%
37 and Above 2 8%
Table 8: Descriptive statistics of age-group
Age-group
Mean 8.333333333
Standard Error 5.364492313
Median 4
Mode #N/A
Standard Deviation 9.291573243
Sample Variance 86.33333333
Range 17
Minimum 2
Maximum 19

RESEARCH 8
Sum 25
Count 3
Chart 2: Pie chart of age-group
As per the assessment of above table, it is found that mean value is 8.33, median value is 4. With
respect to the analysis of above mentioned chart it is assessed that 76.00% respondents belong
from the age group of 17-26 whereas, only 8.00% participants belonged from 37 and above age
group that are participated in the survey through questionnaire.
Table 9: Frequency table related to academic aspects of SSAP student
Do you agree that
university focuses
on developing
scholarly,
academic and
intellectual
qualities?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 13 52%
agree 7 28%
Neutral 1 4%
Disagree 3 12%

RESEARCH 9
Strongly disagree 1 4%
Table 10: Descriptive statistics related to academic aspects of SSAP student
Do you agree that university focuses on developing scholarly,
academic and intellectual qualities?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.280351
Median 3
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 5.09902
Sample Variance 26
Kurtosis 0.579882
Skewness 1.206869
Range 12
Minimum 1
Maximum 13
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 3: Bar chart related to academic aspects of SSAP student

RESEARCH 10
From the analysis of above table, it is observed that mean value is 5, median value is 3 and mode
value is 1. Further, as per the assessment of above chart it is found that 52% respondents are
strongly agree that university focuses on developing scholarly, academic and intellectual
qualities. Whereas, 4% research participants are strongly disagree that university focuses on
developing scholarly, academic and intellectual qualities.
Table 11: Frequency table related to involvement aspect of university
Do you believe
that university
involved in
different social
events?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 14 56%
agree 6 24%
Neutral 3 12%
Disagree 1 4%
Strongly disagree 1 4%
Table 12: Descriptive statistics related to involvement aspect of university
Do you believe that university involved in different social events?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.428992
Median 3
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 5.43139
Sample Variance 29.5
Kurtosis 2.183855
Skewness 1.544693
Range 13
Minimum 1
Maximum 14
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 4: Bar chart related to involvement aspect of university

RESEARCH 11
From the above table and chart, it is stated that 56% of respondents were strongly agreed that
university involved in different social events. In contrast to this, only 8% of participants were
disagreed with the given statement. It is also identified that mean value is 5, median value is 3,
and mode value is 1. It shows that average of 5 people have same experience about the
university.
Table 13: Frequency table related to Psychology aspects of SSAP student
Do you feel that the
Psychology
Discipline at
Western Sydney
University is
involving different
workgroups in
SSAP course?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 12 50%
agree 5 21.00%
Neutral 3 12%
Disagree 2 8%
Strongly disagree 2 8%

RESEARCH 12
Table 14: Descriptive statistics related to Psychology aspects of SSAP student
Do you feel that the Psychology Discipline at Western Sydney University is
involving different workgroups in SSAP course?
Mean 4.8
Standard Error 1.881488772
Median 3
Mode 2
Standard Deviation 4.207136794
Sample Variance 17.7
Kurtosis 3.254811836
Skewness 1.810214306
Range 10
Minimum 2
Maximum 12
Sum 24
Count 5
Chart 5: Pie chart related to Psychology aspects of SSAP student
As per the above table and chart, it is demonstrated that 71% of respondents were agreed that
psychology discipline at Western Sydney University is involving different workgroups in SSAP
course. In contrast to this, only 16% of participants were disagreed with the given statement. It is

RESEARCH 13
also identified that mean value is 5, median value is 3, and mode value is 2. It indicates that
average of 5 people have same opinion about the university.
Table 15: Frequency table related to Intellectual aspects of student
Do you agree that
research centre
for SSAP student
helps to enhance
your academic
skills?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 14 56%
agree 3 12%
Neutral 3 12%
Disagree 3 12%
Strongly disagree 2 8%
Table 16: Descriptive statistics related to Intellectual aspects of student
Do you agree that research centre for SSAP student helps to enhance your
academic skills?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.258317958
Median 3
Mode 3
Standard Deviation 5.049752469
Sample Variance 25.5
Kurtosis 4.860438293
Skewness 2.193856321
Range 12
Minimum 2
Maximum 14
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 6: Column chart related to Intellectual aspects of student

RESEARCH 14
Through the table and chart, it is demonstrated that 56% of respondents were strongly agreed that
research centre for SSAP student helps to enhance their academic skills. In opposed to this, only
20% of participants were disagreed with this statement. It is also addressed that mean value is 5,
median value is 3, and mode value is 3. It shows that average of 5 people have same aspects
about the university.
Table 17: Frequency table related to Humanitarian aspect of SSAP student
Do you believe that
Western is the only
university to offer a
Humanitarian and
Development Studies
course?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 17 68%
agree 1 4%
Neutral 3 12%
Disagree 2 8%
Strongly disagree 2 8%

RESEARCH 15
Table 18: Descriptive statistics related to Humanitarian aspect of SSAP student
Do you believe that Western is the only university to offer a Humanitarian
and Development Studies course?
Mean 5
Standard Error 3.016621
Median 2
Mode 2
Standard Deviation 6.745369
Sample Variance 45.5
Kurtosis 4.782273
Skewness 2.174874
Range 16
Minimum 1
Maximum 17
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 7: Column chart related to Humanitarian aspect of SSAP student

RESEARCH 16
From the table and chart, it is illustrate that 72% of participants were agreed that Western is the
only university to offer a Humanitarian and Development Studies course. In opposed to this, only
16% of participants were disagreed with this statement. It is also demonstrated that mean value is
5, median value is 2, and mode value is 2. It indicates that average of 5 people have same
believes about the university.
Table 19: Frequency table related to Social aspect of student
Do you believe that
Western’s Social
Science courses helps
you to deepen your
understanding of
people, culture, society,
the criminal mind or
your justice system?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 15 60%
agree 5 20%
Neutral 1 4%
Disagree 3 12%
Strongly disagree 1 4%
Table 20: Descriptive statistics related to Social aspect of student
Do you believe that Western’s Social Science courses helps you to deepen your
understanding of people, culture, society, the criminal mind or your justice system?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.607681
Median 3
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 5.830952
Sample Variance 34
Kurtosis 3.384083
Skewness 1.815867

RESEARCH 17
Range 14
Minimum 1
Maximum 15
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 8: Pie chart related to Social aspect of student
The above table and chart, it is illustrate that 80% of respondents were agreed that Western’s
Social Science courses helps student to deepen their understanding of people, culture, society,
the criminal mind or justice system. On the other hand, only 16% of participants were disagreed
with this statement. It is also identified that mean value is 5, median value is 3, and mode value
is 1. It indicates that average of 5 people have same aspects about the university.
Table 21: Frequency table related to Vocational aspect of SSAP student
Do you feel that
university emphasizes
Frequency of
responses
percentages of responses

RESEARCH 18
on developing the
vocational and
occupational
competence?
Strongly agree 16 64%
agree 5 20%
Neutral 1 4%
Disagree 1 4%
Strongly disagree 2 8%
Table 22: Descriptive statistics related to Vocational aspect of SSAP student
Do you feel that university emphasizes on developing the vocational and
occupational competence?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.846049894
Median 2
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 6.363961031
Sample Variance 40.5
Kurtosis 3.609510745
Skewness 1.901137574
Range 15
Minimum 1
Maximum 16
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 9: Column chart related to Vocational aspect of SSAP student

RESEARCH 19
As per the above table and chart, it is illustrate that 84% of respondents were agreed that
university emphasizes on developing the vocational and occupational competence. In contrast to
this, only 12% of participants were disagreed with this statement. It is also addressed that mean
value is 5, median value is 2, and mode value is 1. It indicates that average of 5 people
experiences same about the university.
Table 23: Frequency table related to Educational aspect of SSAP student
Do you agree that
university provides
scholarship to
undertake post
graduate degree?
Frequency of
responses percentages of responses
Strongly agree 15 60%
agree 5 20%
Neutral 2 8%
Disagree 1 4%
Strongly disagree 2 8%

RESEARCH 20
Table 24: Descriptive statistics related to Educational aspect of SSAP student
Do you agree that university provides scholarship to undertake post graduate
degree?
Mean 5
Standard Error 2.588435821
Median 2
Mode 2
Standard Deviation 5.787918451
Sample Variance 33.5
Kurtosis 3.603920695
Skewness 1.895353113
Range 14
Minimum 1
Maximum 15
Sum 25
Count 5
Chart 10: Bar chart related to Educational aspect of SSAP student

RESEARCH 21
From the above table and chart, it can be demonstrated that 80% of participants were agreed that
university provides scholarship to undertake post graduate degree. In contrast to this, only 12%
of respondents were disagreed with the statement. It is also addressed that mean value is 5,
median value is 2, and mode value is 2. It means average people experience same about the
university.
Recommendations for future use of findings
The findings could be used in further research to understand the research issues. Furthermore,
these findings could be published on university websites and journals.

RESEARCH 22
References
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.

RESEARCH 23
Appendix
Survey through questionnaire
Please specify your gender
Male
Female
Please mention your age-group
17-26
27-36
37 and above
Do you agree that university focuses on developing scholarly, academic and intellectual
qualities?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you believe that university involved in different social events?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree

RESEARCH 24
Do you feel that the Psychology Discipline at Western Sydney University is involving
different workgroups in SSAP course?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you agree that research centre for SSAP student helps to enhance your academic skills?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you believe that Western is the only university to offer a Humanitarian and
Development Studies course?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you believe that Western’s Social Science courses helps you to deepen your
understanding of people, culture, society, the criminal mind or your justice system?
Strongly agree

RESEARCH 25
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you feel that university emphasizes on developing the vocational and occupational
competence?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Do you agree that university provides scholarship to undertake post graduate degree?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree