Overview

1 What is social research? and what is it for? 2 Which side are we on? The ethics and politics of research 3 Planning research 4 Qualitative interviewing 5 Participant observation and ethnography 6 Questionnaires and survey design 7 Analysing existing surveys 8 Texts and documents 9 Visual data 10 The internet and new technologies of research 11 Public social science?

Assessment Strategy

Excellent. A* - A- Students will be able to describe, explain and critically evaluate the structure of research designs as represented in published research articles. Identify and show evidence of critical reflection on the main forms of data collection used in social science. Recognise the main forms of sample design and show the ability to explain their implications for the conduct and outcomes of social research. To identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research in social science in a manner that evinces critical reflection and appropriate evidence from extant studies. Show an evidence-based understanding of the principles of social research in terms of both philosophically and praxis.

Very Good. B+ - B- Students will be able to describe and explain the underlying structure of research designs as represented in published research articles. Identify the main forms of data collection used in social science. Recognise the main forms of sample design and the implications of different designs for, inter alia, the validity of research findings. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research in social science. Give an evidence-based understanding of the philosophical and practical principles of social research

Good. C+ - C- Students will be able to describe the underlying structure of research designs as represented in published research articles. Identify the main forms of data collection used in social science. Recognise the main forms of same design and the implications of different designs for the validity of research findings. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research in social science.

Threshold. D+ - D- Students will have in part shown some ability to describe the underlying structure of research designs as represented in published research articles. Have to a degree identified forms of data collection used in social science. Provided content which recognises forms of design and the implications of different designs for the validity of research findings. Make some reference to strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research in social science.

Fail. E/F Students will be unable to describe the underlying structure of research designs as represented in published research articles. Failed to identify the main forms of data collection used in social science. Failed to recognise the main forms of same design and the implications of different designs for the validity of research findings. Failed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research in social science.

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to apply particular methods or a selection of methods appropriately with regard to the topic researched

• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues around the management, analysis and presentation of data from research methods.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical foundations of research methods.

• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methods.

• Show a critical appreciation of the issues involved in the design, planning, conduct, and end product(s) of research methods.

• Show a critical understanding of the range of research methods.

• Show initiative and independence in researching sources of information relating to the chosen topic.