SOC41040 Research Design

Academic Year 2021/2022

It is easy to express an opinion. What sets sociology apart is not just its willingness to engage in relevant and controversial topics. It is its ability to do so with the eyes, ears, and resources of an informed observer. We do not speculate on social phenomena, we study them. In this tradition, this course will offer an introduction to the methods and paradigms that define sociological inquiry. The topics cover the intellectual history of social science, measurement, causality, sampling, survey research, and basic data analysis. Students will be introduced to good practices in academic writing, and the careful balance between good research and feasibility.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Students will understand the roots of and current trends in sociological research.
(2) Students will understand the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
(3) Students will identify research goals and determine appropriate research strategies
(4) Students will link research with presentation in the form of written research proposals

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.