SOC5053 - Research Methods and Professional Placement

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module will examine how social science research data may be collected, analysed, displayed and explained effectively. This module introduces students to becoming research literate and how it is applied to the wider field of employment, policies and organisational considerations. The module will focus on qualitative and mixed methodology in one semester and quantitative methodology in another semester. Students will examine different ways of communicating research, to identify the methods used by contemporary social scientists and explore the suitability of the methods selected. In doing this students will be able to critically evaluate the strength of the researches findings and identify appropriate ethical considerations. 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 Level 6.

The module will culminate with the undertaking of the professional placement 2 which follows directly on from the professional placement 1 and enables students to develop appropriate professional experience and gain opportunities for networking. Students will be encouraged to utilise the skills and knowledge they have gained in the research methods phase of the module to critically think about how research may inform the approaches that are undertaken in the professional working environment. Students will also develop insights into potential career avenues and identify productive ways of interrelating academic learning with relevant professional practice. Career evaluation and planning is expected to continue across modules and a career-action plan, identifying key skills and work-experience needs, should also be considered. The module will also incorporate the option to undertake the professional placement volunteering which is the direct equivalent of the full time professional placement 2, but allows students to spread out their placement activity across the 2 semesters, rather than taking it within a 6-week block. If this option is chosen students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of volunteering throughout an extended period of time (usually 12-20 weeks).

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 150

Workshops
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 150

Professional placement hours/Volunteering hours
Hours: 150-200
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 110-60

Further details relating to assessment

001 Court report:
Students will be required to produce a court research report based on a non-participant observation of a minimum of two court cases in the public gallery at a court(s) of their choice (either magistrate or crown court). They will need to observe a minimum of two court cases which will allow them to compare them in their discussion. The report should include sections of Background; Methodology of non-participant observation; Analysis and Discussion and Reflections.

002 Research Proposal:
Students’ task is to produce a 1,500-word research proposal which they intend to undertake at Level 6 in their Dissertation. The proposal should contain all sections relating to research including ethical considerations.

003 Placement:
Students will undertake their 150-200 hours of professional placement, ensuring they keep a timesheet, and their employer completes review forms.

004 Placement Portfolio
The portfolio to be completed consists of two main elements. The first is a reflective account of some key experiences, the second is a career path reflection. The purpose of the portfolio is for students to reflect on some of the key experiences of their placement, how this has helped their development of skills and knowledge, and to think about their career path following university.

The placement needs to be passed to pass the module

Assessment:

001 Court research report; 1,500 words; end of Semester 1 40%
002 Research proposal; 1,500 words; end of Semester 2 40%
003 Placement; 150/200 hours; pass/fail; placement period %
004 Placement portfolio; 1,000 words; end of placement period 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Jess Egan
Level - 5
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL

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