SD2S17 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences 01 Sep 2016 - 31 Aug 2024 | Version 3
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | SD2S17 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Leadership and Public Services | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Leadership and Public Services | ||
| Module Leader: | Nick Swann | ||
| Module Team: | David Phillips, Wendy Booth | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2015 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 5 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 101307 - applied social science | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 3 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2016 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2024 |
Module Aims
The overall aim of this module is to provide students with a knowledge and critical understanding of the appropriate uses of a range of established social research methods. The module intends to:
Develop students' understanding of the ways in which social research is designed and conducted.
Enable students to evaluate critically the research of others.
Provide experience of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research in the social sciences.
Develop students' understanding of research theories and methodologies.
Enable students to select, develop and plan a (potential) dissertation research topic
Content Summary
Overview of social research approaches
The main 'skills' needed for undertaking social research in different contexts
• Research strategies for social research.
To explore social scientific research strategies using examples from different disciplines
Types of research
The need for methodological pluralism and triangulation.
The distinction between primary and secondary data.
Evaluating sources of secondary data
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods
• Data collection approaches
Surveys; questionnaires; interviews; observation
The role of technology in social science research
Sampling
Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Challenges to social research
Ethical issues in social research.
• Starting to research
Defining research questions
Reviewing research methods and making choices: quality and quantity; validity and reliability revisited
Carrying out a literature review
Preparing and presenting a dissertation proposal
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 6 |
| Seminar | 6 |
| Tutorial | 4 |
| Project supervision | 36 |
| Independent Study | 50 |
| Directed Study | 58 |
| Formative Assessment - Independent | 40 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Develop the skills of practical research and be able to identify the methods that are most appropriate to the research questions asked; |
| LO2 | Be able to apply this understanding in a self-critical way to the preparation of their dissertation proposal |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio 1 | The portfolio may be based on work carried out in seminars and in the field. | 0 | 3500 | 60 | No | 40 |
| Written Assignment (CW) | Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 | preparation of a research protocol suitable for an undergraduate dissertation | 0 | 50 | 40 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Portfolio 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |