SOC5042 - Contemporary Research 2

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;
Design a basic social research study using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, either individually or in collaboration with others;
Analyse data using a range of basic statistical and/or qualitative methods;
Produce an outline for a research project, including developing research questions, sub-questions, identifying research methodology, and a bibliography of relevant sources.

Content:

This module examines how social data may be collected, displayed, analysed and explained effectively. It introduces students to the criticism and interpretation of data and techniques.

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. On completion of the module students will be prepared to use appropriate research methodologies in order to plan for and embark upon their extended research project at L6.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A range of learning and teaching methods are used, including: lectures workshops, computer workshops, group work and group presentations. The module employs a range of empirical data, with students gaining experience in analysing and writing about numerical evidence.

Throughout the module the development of research project skills will be supported through weekly 2 hour workshops and weekly one hour lectures allowing the students time to work independently. The workshops will focus on briefing students on how to prepare eg. outlines for research projects, and will also allow students to present work-in-progress to their tutor and peers. As a result students are presented with the opportunity to design their own research choosing the most appropriate methodology. Students will also have the opportunity to attend four individual tutorials (15 minutes each) with their projected supervisor, with the aim of developing their own research proposals for their L6 module SOC 6044 Professional Research Project. The low level of contact hours is to allow personalised guidance at this point for each student.

Workshops
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: 25

Lectures
Hours: 10

Tutorials
Hours: 1
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 169

Further details relating to assessment
The research report will allow students to put into practice the research skills acquired in the module choosing either a quantitative study that analyses British Crime Survey data (quantitative), or a non-participant courtroom observation (Qualitative).

The research proposal will include the research questions and basic methodology for the research project which the student intends to undertake at Level 6 in SOC 6044 Professional Research Project, as well as annotated bibliographies of primary and secondary sources, and a short reflective report on the development of research and independent learning skills in the course of the module.

Other relevant matters
The module continues the research strand from SOC 4042 Contemporary Research 1. Students will bring from SOC 4042 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 IBM 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 undertake for SOC 6044 Professional Research Project.

Assessment:

001 Research proposal; 2,000 words; end of semester 2 50%
002 Research report; 2,000 words; end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Russell Woodfield
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S2

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