Module SXU-2001:
Social & Political Research

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Robin Mann

Overall aims and purpose

This module is designed to familiarise students with the methods of research used in contemporary social and political sciences. The module is designed to take students through all aspects of the research process, beginning with debates concerning the philosophy of research, issues of research design, quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis as well as contemporary issues relating to the online world and the politics of research. Students will be provided with a range of examples of studies drawn from criminology, sociology, social policy and politics. The module is designed so that students appreciate the `grammar' of methods and have the ability to critically reflect on methods as foundational in social science. Each of the learning outcomes will be part of teaching and assessment.

Course content

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 Criteria

excellent

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.

threshold

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.

good

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

Learning outcomes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
LOGBOOK OR PORTFOLIO DATA ANALYSIS PORTFOLIO 40
ESSAY Critical Review Essay 60

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Workshop

Weekly workshops of two hours. This will include some lecture format work, some discussion, and use of online media as appropriate. Podcasts will be made available.

 24
Private study

Students will be expected to read and prepare for workshops, apply methods discussed to their own interests, reading and critical reflection, and to be aware of what is involved in research as both process and product.

 176

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions.
  • Appreciate a range of research designs and strategies and how they may be applied to sociological investigations.
  • Competence to carry out a piece of sociological research using either primary or secondary data, or both.
  • Be able to recognize how social data and sociological knowledge apply to questions of public policy.
  • Undertake either on their own, or in collaboration with others, investigations of social questions, issues and problems, using statistical and other data derived from research publications.
  • Analyse and discuss social policy and related issues distinguishing between normative and empirical questions
  • The ability to identify criminological problems, formulate questions and investigate them
  • The ability to recognise a range of ethical problems associated with research and to take action in accordance with the guidelines of ethical practice developed by the British Society of Criminology and cognate professional bodies
  • The ability to identify and deploy a range of research strategies including qualitative and quantitative methods and the use of published data sources and to select and apply appropriate strategies for specific research problems; and the ability to present the philosophical and methodological background to the research of others and to one's own research.
  • Understand the relationship between theory, research design, and the selection of research methods and be able to identify and critically evaluate the epistemological positions upon which they are predicated.
  • Understand the basic principles of research design and strategy (including how to formulate researchable questions and the considerations affecting inference and proof, reliability and validity in different styles of research), sufficient to enable them to make appropriate choices in their own research.
  • Appreciate and apply a broad range of research methods and tools (underpinned by a strong conceptual awareness of the research processes and their underlying philosophies).
  • Appreciate philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in criminological and sociological research.

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: