Doing Research - SOC00061I
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 2025-26 |
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
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 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
Punch, K. (2014). Introduction to social research: quantitative and qualitative approaches. 3rd ed. London: SAGE.