Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
assess critically a range of primary and secondary sources from which qualitative and quantitative data concerning specific topics in sociology/criminology could be extracted, and the kinds of questions they could be used to answer;
demonstrate an understanding of statistical techniques, producing spreadsheets, tables, charts and graphs in an appropriate form to answer typical sociological/criminological questions;
demonstrate the ability to use sector-standard statistics software packages, such as IBM SPSS, to analyse statistical data and to visualize that data clearly;
Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse qualitative data and carry out thematic coding of the findings; produce an outline for a research project, including hypothesis/key question, sub-questions, basic methodology, and a bibliography of relevant sources.

Content:

The module continues the research strand from SOC 4042 Contemporary Research Methods 1. Students will take from that L4 module a basic awareness of the nature of research, qualitative and statistical evidence, and methods for visualisation. In SOC 5042 Contemporary Research 2 students will be introduced to SPSS software and will learn to design research projects to test given hypotheses and address research questions. Within this module students will design a research proposal for the project that they will go on to carry out for SOC 6044 Professional Portfolio.
This module examines how historical data may be collected, displayed, analysed and explained effectively. It introduces students to the data-handling: methodologies, critical evaluation and interpretation. For example, students are asked to differentiate between descriptive and inferential data and identify relevant statistical tests. Students are also required to identify between a range of qualitative data types and evaluation methods, including open and axial coding.
This module will also develop the skills required to plan and begin an independent research project within a supportive learning environment, and reinforce research skills developed in other modules. The first section will cover the basic skills required to prepare a research proposal and project, and will support the production of (for example): a basic outline for a research project; a brief annotated bibliography; a critical review of one of the secondary sources; and a critical review of one of the primary sources on the bibliography. This will be undertaken in an area of research which with the module tutor is familiar.
In the second section, students will focus on developing a research proposal for their dissertation or research report at Level 6. Their proposals will include a short reflective report on their development of research and independent learning skills across the level and throughout the year.