Introductory description

The IRS for Social Science module aims to ensure that students develop the necessary competencies and skills to succeed in Social Sciences and related courses in the United Kingdom. It will provide bespoke skills training and support for students aiming at progressing to an undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom. It will provide competency training in reflective and critical thinking, team-working, and raising the awareness of self to develop greater ability in learners to engage with academic debate and take responsibility to critically inquire and evaluate issues in Social Sciences. The module aims to ensure that students become independent learners and researchers who are equipped to think for themselves.

Module web page

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.

1. What is research? Understanding what research is and information literacy skills that support research including asking relevant questions, evaluating sources, document analysis, formulating search strategies, effective searching, reflection and developing coherent lines of argument. Contribution of digital Social Sciences to learning in the discipline.
2. Introduction to Problem Based learning – taking part in group based tasks in which students utilise, develop and practise research skills whilst investigating interdisciplinary issues in the Social Science.
3. Research Project – students will be taught about different research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods used in the Social Sciences, research ethics, question design and analysis. They will propose, design, plan and carry out their own multi-media research study leading to a presentation in which they will answer questions about their research.

Learning outcomes

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

• Investigate and analyse academic debates that arise in the study of the Social Sciences
• Engage effectively in reflective and critical thinking .
• Propose, design, manage and carry out an independent research project on topics relevant to study in the Social Sciences
• Analyse and evaluate research undertaken by others within the field, drawing comparisons with research done in the Social Sciences in other countries.
• Utilise relevant digital and information literacy skills as applicable to study in the Social Sciences.

Indicative reading list

Cottrell S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (2nd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2014) Dissertations and project reports : a step by step guide Palgrave MacMillan
Dane, C (2018 ) Evaluating research : methodology for people who need to read research (2nd edition) SAGE
Desposato, S (2016) Ethics and experiments [electronic resource] : problems and solutions for social scientists and policy professionals Routledge
Eller JD (2017) Social science and historical perspectives: society, science, and ways of knowing Routledge
Gerring J (2017) Applied social science methodology : an introductory guide Cambridge University Press
Grix, J (2004) The Foundations of Research Palgrave Macmillan
Thomas, G (2013) How to do your research project : a guide for students in education and applied social sciences

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Research project.

Interdisciplinary

Students undertake study of different problem based learning tasks from an interdisciplinary basis.

International

Students are to be assessed on contribution of research globally in the subject area.

Subject specific skills

• Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
• Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
• Group work skills
• Independent learning skills - planning, time management
• Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
• Reflective thinking/ writing
• Digital Social Science research
• Critical thinking

Transferable skills

• Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
• Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
• Group work skills
• Independent learning skills - planning, time management
• Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
• Reflective thinking/ writing
• Critical thinking