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 and conduct basic social research studies using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, either individually or in collaboration with others;

Demonstrate the ability to use sector-standard research software packages, such as IBM SPSS, or sector standard qualitative analysis packages to analyse and visualize data clearly;

Analyse data using a range of basic statistical and/or qualitative methods;

Produce an outline for a research project, including hypotheses/key questions, sub-questions, basic 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. 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. On completion of the module students will be prepared to use appropriate research methodologies including inferential statistics using specialist software (e.g. SPSS, G*Power) to perform and interpret statistical analyses. In addition, the module provides students with an understanding of the analysis of qualitative data using a range of approaches.

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 and undertake their own indpendent rpiece of 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.

Lectures/workshops
Hours: 30
Intended Group size: 25

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 the most appropriate research methodology to investigate the research questions which they have developed.

The research proposal will include the hypothesis, sub-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:

002 Research Report; 2,500 words; End of Semester 65%
003 Research Proposal - 1,500 words; Mid-Semester 35%

Fact File

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

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