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Doing Research - SOC00061I

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. James Cummings
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

Research is generally a collaborative pursuit, therefore you will gain experience of working within research teams to develop important group working skills. The module will prepare you for undertaking your dissertation in third year, and provide you with valuable transferable research skills, which will enhance your employability.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to develop your understanding of the principles that underlie social research. You will develop skills in undertaking qualitative and quantitative research, with a focus on the practicalities and ethical issues involved. We focus therefore on the doing of research. Research is generally a collaborative pursuit, therefore you will gain experience of working within research teams to develop important group working skills. The module will prepare you for undertaking your dissertation in third year, and provide you with valuable transferable research skills, which will enhance your employability.

Module learning outcomes

Describe and apply the key principles of social science research

Identify and appropriately respond to the ethical issues involved in undertaking social science research

Investigate social science problems through the critical application of appropriate quantitative or qualitative research techniques

Reflect continuously on your own learning and development as part of your professional progression

Work effectively in teams to confidently and effectively present complex ideas

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Portfolio:3000 words		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Portfolio:3000 words		 N/A 100

Module feedback

For formative work - Research Team Presentation - students will receive verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. The formative assessments provide practice for the summative task, and in line with MLO 3 and 5.

For summative work - portfolio - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLO 1-5. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well, and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

Braun, V. and V. Clarke (2021) Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide, London: SAGE


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.