SS8077 - Research Methods (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||
| Module title | Research Methods | ||||||||
| Module level | Doctoral (08) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||
| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
The module aims to:
1. Assist students in designing and conducting research for their thesis, and in developing their skills of critical reflection and analysis.
2. Develop a competence in understanding the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research.
3. Develop a competence in analysing quantitative and qualitative research data and writing research reports.
4. To critically appraise quantitative and qualitative research produced by statutory agencies (such as the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Service) and voluntary sector organisations in order to enhance their employment prospects.
Prior learning requirements
None
Syllabus
The module will be delivered through a one-hour lecture and a one hour seminar or workshop, and will focus on the following topics/issues.
• Research approaches.
• Questionnaire construction.
• Asking questions: the qualitative approach.
• Conducting ethnographic research.
• Content Analysis: Historical and archival analysis.
• Quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Research ethics: reflexivity and safety.
• Researching vulnerable groups.
• Researching police practices.
LO1-6
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module will be delivered as a block teaching short course comprising lectures and workships and based on a collaborative process involving students' active participation, practical assignments, guided independent study involving the use of textbooks, journals and on-line sources. Lectures are used to provide students with a framework of information about the nature of research and the ontological debates regarding research methodolgy.
The workshops are designed to empower the student and develop their skills in applying data analysis skills. Self directed learning allows students to explore substantive issues for themselves. Continued support and guidance will be offered during coursework and assessment.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. apply their understanding of research methodologies to their own research practice.
2. distinguish between theoretical research and theoretically informed empirical research and to distinguish the latter from simple ‘fact finding’;
3. critically evaluate examples of empirical research.
4. demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of a wide range of research concepts, terminology and methods; and an enhanced knowledge of the methodological literature.
5. have an understanding of ethical principles of social research.
6. complete practical quantitative and qualitative research exercises and write a research report that is of potential use to practitioners and the research community.
Assessment strategy
The module is assessed with 4000-word research proposal providing justification of the proposed thesis methodology. This will help to get some feedback and get ready for the thesis. Also will help to plan the resources and allocate supervision accordingly.
Bibliography
Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module. Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks. Reading Lists will be updated annually.
Core
Balnaves, M. (2001) 'Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods', London: Sage
Davies, P., Francis, P., & Jupp, V. (2011) (eds) Doing Criminological Research (2nd Edition) Sage
Additional
Bryman, A. (1988), 'Quality and Quantity in Social Research', London: Routledge
Bryman, A. (2001) 'Social Research Methods', (2nd edition) Oxford: Oxford University Press
de Vaus D.A. (2002) Surveys in Social Research (5th edn) London: Routledge
Denzin, N. K., and Lincoln, Y. S. (1998) Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry (eds) Sage
Field, A. (2009) Discovering Statistics using SPSS: (and sex and drugs and rock and roll) London: Sage
Fielding, J. & Gilbert, N. (2000) Understanding Social Statistics London: Sage
Gilbert, N. (2001) Researching Social Life (2nd edition) London: Sage
Kvale, S. (2007) Doing Interviews, Sage Publications
Jupp, V. (1989) Methods of Criminological Research. Routledge: London
May, T. (2001) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process (3rd edition)
Buckingham Open University Press
Noakes, E., & Wincup, E. (2011) Criminological Research: Understanding Qualitative Methods London: Sage
O’Connell Davidson, J., & Layder, D. (1994) Methods, Sex and Madness. Routledge: London/ New York
Silverman, D. (ed) (2004) 'Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice' (2nd edn) London: Sage