Modiwl SXU-2001:
Social & Political Research
Social and Political Research 2024-25
SXU-2001
2024-25
Ysgol Hanes, y Gyfraith a Gwyddorau Cymdeithas
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Robin Mann
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
- Identify issues around the management, analysis and presentation of data from 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.
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
Critical Review Essay: A review of a peer reviewed journal article focusing on a critical assessment of research design, theory and data.
Weighting
50%
Due date
11/11/2024
Assessment method
Logbook Or Portfolio
Assessment type
Crynodol
Description
DATA ANALYSIS PORTFOLIO: A portfolio of selected tasks in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including online surveys and thematic qualitative interview analysis. Students will be given a choice of design and analysis tasks to complete from: Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews from a choice of projects Discourse analysis of political speeches Questionnaire design Online analysis of survey data
Weighting
50%
Due date
16/12/2024