SS6P04 - Psychology and Sociology Dissertation (2022/23)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2022/23 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Psychology and Sociology Dissertation | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Running in 2022/23(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
The students carry out an in-depth piece of a research and analysis in an area of their choice that is analysed from both sociological and psychological perspective. The students will use theoretical and empirical knowledge, research and analytical skills gained in their programme of study to investigate the topic and formulate a dissertation.
Syllabus
• Identifying research topic and question LO1
• Doing a literature search LO2
• Writing a literature review LO3,LO4,LO5
• Sociological theory and dissertation
• Research design– introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Analysing the Data
• Writing-up Dissertation
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
In the first term workshops and tutorials will provide the students with guidance on doing their dissertation and give them opportunities to discuss progress. The students will be required to make a short presentation on the progress of their work and submit the project proposal. In the second term they will work independently, supported by their supervisors. Supervisors will be allocated on the basis of their research and scholarship expertise in a particular topic. Learning will also be guided by reading and resources made available through the VLE.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify an area or theme worthy of psychological/sociological enquiry
2. Use theoretical and empirical knowledge, research and analytical skills gained in their course of study to investigate an area and formulate a dissertation
3. Undertake a literature search and review.
4. Make a critical analysis of an area or theme under investigation with particular attention being paid to the theoretical and methodological components of the analysis
5. Write a well-presented piece of work in the conventional academic format using documented sources
Assessment strategy
The dissertation plan will assess the student’s ability to identify an inquiry theme and to formulate a project . The 3000 words draft literature review will assess the ability to summarise existing research and policy documents. The final written submission should be about 10,000 words.
Bibliography
• Bell, J. (2010) (5th edition) Doing your Research Project: a Guide for First Time Researchers in Education and Social Science, Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.
• Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2010) (4th edition) How to Research. OUP: Maidenhead.
• Brett Davies, M. (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project. Palgrave: London.
• Bryman, A.(2008) Social Research Methods, OUP
• Dunscombe, M. (2010) (4th edition) The Good Research Guide: For small scale social research projects, Open University Press.
• Hart, C. (1998) Doing A Literature Review, London, Sage
• Luker, K. (2010) Salsa Dancing into the Social Sciences: Research in an Age of Info-Glut, Harvard University Press
• O’Leary, Z. (2007) The Essential Guide To Doing Research, London, Sage
• Robson, C. (2007) How to do a research project: a guide for undergraduate students. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Rudestan, K & Newton, R (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation, Sage
• Smith, K., Todd, M. & Waldman (2009) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation, London: Routledge (e-book)