In this module students will begin to understand the process and debates surrounding how researchers learn more about the social world. What techniques and approaches do social researchers draw upon to organise, structure and interpret research evidence? How do we judge the quality of research? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the range of frameworks and methodologies? The first part of the module introduces students to the conceptual issues and debates around the 'best' way to explore social questions, forms and issues, and an overview of some popular methods for doing so. In the Spring Term, students will spend most of their time applying what they have learned in a group research project and an individual research design project.
Total contact hours: 44
Private study hours: 256
Total study hours: 300
Health & Social Care BA
Criminology BA
Social Policy & Social Change BA
Sociology BA
and Criminology, Social Policy & Social Change and Sociology joint honours courses
Main assessment methods
Coursework - Qualitative research quiz - 15%
Coursework - Qualitative research project - 35%
Coursework - Quantitative research quiz - 15%
Coursework - Quantitative research project - 35%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework.
Abbott, A. (2003). Methods of Discovery: Heuristics for the Social Sciences. New York: W.W. Norton
Babbie, E. (20052011) The Basics of Social Research (5th edn)Intl Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Bryman, A. (2015) Social Research Methods, 5th edition, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Hesse-Biber, S.N. and Leavy, P. (2006) The Practice of Qualitative Research (2nd edn), London: Sage
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Judge and evaluate the validity of research evidence.
8.2 Identify a range of different research strategies and methods, and their respective advantages and disadvantages, as well as their philosophical underpinnings
8.3 Seek out and use statistical and other data derived from social surveys and other research publications
8.4 Read and interpret tables of statistical data
8.5 Initiate research questions and conduct preliminary empirical research using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Gain skills in the written presentation of research ideas and findings
9.2 Analyse and utilise in argument basic empirical data drawn from research and official sources
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