SS4051 - Researching Social Life (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||
| Module title | Researching Social Life | ||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module provides the foundation for an explicit, clear focus on social research throughout Sociology and related degrees, in addition to supporting students to acquire understanding of and skills in academic literacy. Some methodological principles and perspectives for effective social research are explained and also illustrated through exploration of research case studies. It will additionally provide experience in using the vast array of text, visual and statistical primary documentary sources and their interpretation for research. Research as a process will be examined including main empirical research approaches, the formulation and development of research questions and social, ethical and political contexts of research practice.
Prior learning requirements
None.
Available for Study Abroad? Yes
Syllabus
This module will focus on the following key subjects:
● Introduction to the research enterprise – language, concepts and social research as processes involving both imagination and rigour.
● Developing investigative goals into focussed questions; research design; interrelation of theory, method and data.
● Academic literacy, characteristics and distinction from other forms of literacy.
● Introduction to diversity of existing text and visual data sources for researching cultural and social life, their potential strengths, limitations and use as research data.
● Overviews of main research approaches, qualitative and quantitative, supplemented through illustrative research case studies.
● The relevance of varying social, cultural and political contexts for research practice and centrality of ethical considerations.
● The idea and use of evidence, the contribution of research and interpretation of data.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Delivery of this module is through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies and workshops allowing students to be actively involved in the learning process and develop their own learning style. The lecture programme provides the underpinning theoretical foundation in the subject area and thinking skills are developed through complementary activities including case studies, workshops, seminars and tutorials. Students are expected to complement formal teaching with self-directed reading and completion of specified assignments. The module will also promote the student’s self-management and a reflective approach to their learning.
This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, and other sources will be available. All sessions will be recorded with Panopto and will be available to students.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will:
1. Demonstrate appreciation by explaining and applying principles for effective social research
2. Develop research questions and appraise text and visual documentary data sources
3. Explain the principles and practice of main research methods and their appropriate use
4. Interpret basic social statistical research findings and explain their use in specific contexts
Assessment strategy
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT – Coursework : Multiple choice questions - Due week 15