SOC-20073 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

CRI-20020, EDU-20020, see C6.

Description for 2024/25

This module aims to introduce you to the principles of developing research strategies and to the strengths and weaknesses of different data collection methods used within sociology. The lectures will be concerned with examining the criteria that can be used to judge the advantages of different research approaches, as well as introducing you to the assumptions that underpin different modes of data collection. There will also be a focus on the ethics of social research.
The workshops will help develop further the understanding gained through the lectures. They will be more practically focused. Workshops will entail you demonstrating skills in the use of bibliographic data bases, evaluating existing research and exploring alternative methodologies for collecting relevant data within the constraints of specified research resources.
The module will consist of lectures and workshops. The workshops will based and concerned with applying the concerns of the lectures to specific research problems, the discussion of specific methodological issues or the development of research skills.

The module aims to enable students to:
- Appreciate the range of different research methods used in sociology and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
- Know how to formulate a research question, building on existing sociological literature and research.
- Understand criteria for evaluating the adequacy of different data for sociological explanation.
- Understand the construction of research strategies and be able to identify the different elements of the process.
- Appreciate ethical guidelines in the conduct of research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of a range of qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures used in sociological research: 1
Explain the relationship between empirical data and theory production and testing within sociology: 1
Identify and evaluate the research strategies used by sociologists: 1
Identify an area of sociological enquiry and evaluate the most appropriate methods to conduct the research: 1
Recognise ethical considerations relating to a range of empirical research collection strategies: 1

Study hours

Active learning hours include 22 contact hours (11 lectures and 11 seminars) and 44 asynchronous learning hours (e.g., key readings, note-taking, seminar preparation, video content, other online material)
Independent study hours: 84 hours assessment preparation (includes engaging with additional readings)

School Rules

Students taking this module are barred from taking CRI-20020 and EDU-20020.

Description of Module Assessment