Introductory description

The module introduces students to the nature of sociological research as a reflexive activity. It starts by introducing the varying philosophical and ethical/political starting points of research in social science. The course then goes on to provide foundation level critical analysis and practical training in the key quantitative and qualitative methods social researchers have deployed to understand the social world. This module intends that students will become ‘research minded’ and be able to develop key academic skills.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Term one
Introduction session. What is society and culture?
Historical overview of social research and introduction to key philosophical issues
What is research?
Research, reflexivity and the self
Reflexivity, reflection and feminist research
Quantitative research methods
Playing the numbers game: Are statistics objective facts?
Qualitative research: asking questions
Ethnography and observations

Term Two
Qualitative research methods
Using secondary data
Research ethics
Visual methods
Qualitative documents and analysis
Mixed methods
Media analysis
Presentation preparation
Consolidation

Term three
Week 21-25: presentations

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the nature of social research as a reflexive activity, and demonstrate critical awareness of the factors that shape it.
• Understand the principles behind research design using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the way that these have informed studies
• Display competence in core academic, professional and research skills in applying and triangulating a range of qualitative and quantitative research skills and presenting the results orally to peers and in the form of written scholarly work.
• Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues and of how to practically apply ethics to empirical research.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Understanding the nature of social research as a reflexive activity, and demonstrating critical awareness of the factors that shape it.
Understanding the principles behind research design using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the way that these have informed studies.
Displaying competence in core academic, professional and research skills in applying and triangulating a range of qualitative and quantitative research skills and presenting the results orally to peers and in the form of written scholarly work.
Demonstrating awareness of ethical issues and of how to practically apply ethics to empirical research.

Transferable skills

Understanding the nature of social research as a reflexive activity, and demonstrating critical awareness of the factors that shape it.
Understanding the principles behind research design using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the way that these have informed studies.
Displaying competence in core academic, professional and research skills in applying and triangulating a range of qualitative and quantitative research skills and presenting the results orally to peers and in the form of written scholarly work.
Demonstrating awareness of ethical issues and of how to practically apply ethics to empirical research.