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Study information

Imagining Social Worlds: Social Research Methods

Module titleImagining Social Worlds: Social Research Methods
Module codeSOC1053
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Paul O'Connor (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

95

Module description

Sociologists and anthropologists are primarily concerned with understanding the human condition. To do this, they conduct research which enable them to explore the lives, experiences, and world views of their human subjects. In this module you will receive training in academic study skills. You will become familiar with a wide range of research methods used to imagine the social worlds of the 'others' they have studied. You will systematically study the texts which social researchers produce to learn about these methods. You will also learn practical skills in conducting qualitative research interviews and how to critically engage with quantitative research evidence. There are no pre-requisites to this module

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of theoretical and practical issues faced by sociologists and anthropologists as they attempt to engage with and understand their human research subjects. Training in core study skills is embedded in the module. Through a focus on a broad range of anthropological and sociological texts, the module aims to teach you how to research the social world. You will also develop a foundational understanding of qualitative research methodology which can be built upon during the following years of your degree. You will be introduced to core concepts and approaches taken by quantitative researchers. As a result, this module will equip you with a foundation of analytical skills required for developing your own anthropological and sociological imagination

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative approaches in social research
  • 2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of research interviewing
  • 3. Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative data analysis techniques

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Demonstrate an understanding of key strengths and weaknesses of qualitative social research
  • 5. Critically reflect on the application of research interviewing with an aim of improving future practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. Undertake independent study effectively
  • 7. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in learning and study skills and to take action to improve your capacity to learn
  • 8. Communicate effectively in written and verbal form
  • 9. Work effectively as part of a team

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Introduction to Qualitative Research

  • What is qualitative research?
  • What does research interviewing look like?
  • Asking and answering research questions with interviews
  • Sampling and research ethics
  • The interview in process – active listening, power relations and reflexivity
  • Transcription
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Interview design & development

Critically engaging with quantitative research approaches

  • Measurement of social science concepts
  • Samples and Populations
  • Statistical summaries: averages and proportions
  • Correlation and causation
  • The challenges of visualising data

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27.51280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching16.511 x 1.5 hour per week, comprising of lectures and seminars
Scheduled learning and teaching1111 x 1-hour tutorials
Guided independent study42Preparation for group projects/seminars
Guided independent study51Researching and writing critical analysis
Guided independent study35Researching and writing thematic analysis report

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research report plan500 words1-9Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research report1002,500 words1-9Written and oral feedback
0
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Research report (2,500 words)Research report (2,500 words)1-9Referral/Deferral Period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Core Texts

Lune, H., & Berg, B. L. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (9th ed). Harlow: Pearson

Magnusson, E., & Marecek, J. (2015). Doing Interview-based Qualitative Research: A Learner's Guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Brinkmann, S. (2013). Qualitative Interviewing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Supplementary Texts

Alvesson, M. (2010). Interpreting Interviews. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Boynton, P. (2016) The Research Companion: A practical guide for those in the social sciences, health and development (2nd Edition). Routledge.

Gilbert, N. and Stoneman, P. 2016 Researching Social Life. 4th Edition. London: Sage

Gibbs, G. (2007). Analyzing Qualitative Data.

Guest, G., MacQueen, K., & Namey, E. (2018). Applied Thematic Analysis. Sage.

Guthrie, G. (2010). Basic research methods: An entry to social science research. SAGE Publications’

Robson, C., & McCartan, K. (2015). Real World Research (4th edition). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

Skinner, J. 2012. The Interview: An Ethnographic Approach. London: Berg.

Shon, P. C. (2015). How to read journal articles in the social sciences: A very practical guide for students (2nd edition). London: Sage.

 

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Online Resources

UK Data Archive: http://data-archive.ac.uk/

National Centre for Research Methods: https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/

The Research Companion: https://theresearchcompanion.com/resources/

Sage Method Space: https://www.methodspace.com/

Key words search

Qualitative research methods, research design, interviewing, qualitative data analysis, coding textual data

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

10/12/2024

Last revision date

10/12/2024