SOC41040 Research Design

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course will introduce you to the process of developing, carrying out, and writing up a sociological research project. You will learn how to work with the logical and analytic techniques commonly used in social science research. You will be introduced to good practices in academic writing and also learn how to balance feasibility constraints with producing research you can be proud of. We will explore some methodological considerations encountered in fieldwork, comparative inquiry, and survey analysis. By the end of the semester, you will be able to grapple with linking theory and evidence via carefully selected data and research methods.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Students will understand the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
(2) Students will identify research goals and determine appropriate research strategies.
(3) Students will learn how to present their written research proposals through visual presentations.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will leave this module with a fully-drafted, reviewed and feasible research proposal for their minor dissertation or capstone project.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Autonomous Student Learning

88
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The following learning/teaching will define the module:

(1) Presentation coupled with individual feedback
(2) Group interaction to develop a research project
(3) One-on-one interaction to facilitate reflective progress 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Submission of final proposal. Week 12 n/a Graded No

70
Continuous Assessment: Initial abstract and proposal outline Unspecified n/a Graded No

20
Presentation: Presentation of final draft of project proposal. Week 11 n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 14:00 - 14:50