Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

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Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module introduces students to quantitative and qualitative (social science) research methods, as well as key stages of the research process such as research design. A range of methods for data collection and analysis are introduced and opportunities for practicing the skills are given through structured workshops and coursework assignments. The latter will be achieved through an intensive fieldwork period where data collection methods are tried in real-world applied settings. The research skills and techniques learned in this module will act as a foundation for the individual dissertation studies undertaken in Stage 3, with some time given for discussing each student’s individual research project proposal in dedicated workshops.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Research Realities.
(i) Why do we undertake research and what does it do?
2.       (ii) How do we build on existing research to develop our own research projects. The role of the literature review in framing the research. Generating a research topic, aims, objectives and questions.
generating a research topic, question and aims.(iii) Thinking about our role in the research process. Ethics in research2. Exploring data and research methods:
(i) Text. Identifying possible sources of texts as data (policy documents, archives, media and digital sources). Analysing documents and texts using discourse analysis and content analysis.
(ii) Looking and doing. Ethnographic approaches, observation (structured and participant), visual data and mapping.
(iii) Talk. Collecting data through talking with others – interviews (particularly semi-structured interviews) and focus groups. Analysing talk through thematic analysis.
(iv) Numbers. Collecting and analysing more structured data through questionnaire surveys design and analysis.
3. Designing your own research proposal.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. Students will be aware of the nature and scope of social science research.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of different research methods and methodologies.
3. Students will be equipped to analyse data and interpret their findings in relation to an applied context.
4. To provide students with an awareness of different research approaches and issues to enable them to design and undertake their own piece of independent research in Stage 3.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Develop research skills; students will develop a competency across different research methods by being able to apply and practice a selection of research methods data collection and analysis methods; as well as developing your literature review skills to frame your research.

Develop critical analytical skills; through identifying relevant literature and compiling a literature review to underpin the proposal and being able to evaluate methods.

Consolidate your and communication skills: synthesising other research and communicating your own research ideas and findings clearly.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module is designed to introduce social science research knowledge and skills. Therefore the module’s teaching is through a combination of lectures, group work, surgery sessions, and taught practical workshops so that students gain an experience and knowledge of a range research methods and the research process.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written assignment 1 will reflect on the experience of using a method and provide a critical consideration of its potential applications. The formative group presentation reflecting on methods used and issue research will help inform the content of the assignment.

The research proposal will outline students proposed independent dissertation study. Students are expected to draw on skills learnt about the research process and apply it to a topic of their own interest which they wish to take forward for their dissertation study in stage 3 (the proposal will explore why the topic is important, possible research questions to answer, brief literature review and sources of literature, and potential methods of data collection and analysis they may use in addressing their research question).

General Notes

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