Introductory description

Sociology is the study of society. But how exactly do sociologists go about practising this – and, even more fundamentally, what is ‘society’? As you will discover in this module, these two questions are very closely related: what you think ‘society’ is will inevitably shape the way you go about investigating and trying to understand it.
Is society something external to individuals, something that shapes our existence and sets limits on the kind of things we can do and the kind of people we can become? Are there rules governing human behaviour in the same way as there are rules governing phenomena in the natural world? If so, should the detached, objective methods of the natural sciences be employed in the study of society?

However, humans not only react to their environment, they consciously act upon it, continually constructing and reconstructing their worlds in creative, intelligent and imaginative ways. Should, then, the purpose of sociology be to uncover the meanings and interpretations held by individuals? And if so, what about the sociologist’s own meanings and interpretations, their own opinions and biases – should these be excluded from the research process, or form an integral part of it? Is objectivity desirable – or even possible – in the social sciences?

These are the kinds of questions you will begin to grapple with in this introductory methods module. You will also consider some of the main qualitative methods (e.g. interviews, ethnography, discourse analysis, visual methods, historical research) and, in groups, will work on designing a sociological research project of your own.

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.

Week 1: Methodology and Methods
Week 2: Interviews
Week 3: Ethnography and Participant Observation
Week 4: Visual Methods
Week 5: Research Ethics
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Discourse Analysis and Representation
Week 8: Historical and Archival Research
Week 9: Positionality and Reflexivity
Week 10: Transferable Research Skills

Learning outcomes

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

• (1) Understand the nature of sociological research as a reflexive activity, and the varying philosophical starting points that inform it. (Subject knowledge and understanding, Cognitive skills such as critical analysis).
• (2) Understand the principles behind research design using a range of qualitative research methods and the way that these have informed sociological studies. (Subject knowledge and understanding, Cognitive skills such as critical analysis).
• (3) Display competence in core academic and research skills in applying a range of qualitative research skills and presenting the results to peers (Cognitive skills such as ability to develop research designs and key skills such as competency in library use and database, and practice in a range of qualitative methods).

Indicative reading list

Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press, fourth edition.
Duneier, M. (1999) Sidewalk, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
May, T. (2011) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, McGraw Hill/Open University Press.
Mills, C. W. (1959, 2000) The Sociological Imagination, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Punch, K. (2005) Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, London: Sage
Robson, C. (2011) Real World Research, Blackwell Publishers.
Seale, C (2004) Researching Society and Culture, Sage.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

As part of the summative assessment, students are assigned to groups (of between 4-6) and work together throughout the term to design and deliver a research design proposal. Here they have to identify, and present their approach to, each of the key stages of the research process, (e.g. research question, lit review, methodology, methods, ethics, practical issues, dissemination).

Interdisciplinary

There is crossover with anthropology (particularly in the ethnography and representation lectures/seminars) and history (in one week disciplinary links between sociology and history are considered).

International

Several core seminar readings are based on case studies drawn from around the world. Quite often students decide to situate their research design proposals within an international context.

Subject specific skills

Knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with qualitative research, and an ability to evaluate and interpret these.

Ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts.

Transferable skills

Lectures: Listening and concentrating for extended periods (Communication, Attention to detail). Sorting, sifting and summarising information (Critical Thinking, Analysis). Recording and organising information efficiently (Information Literacy, Organising).

Seminars: Presenting points in a reasoned manner (Communication, Influencing, Critical Thinking). Considering differing viewpoints and responding appropriately (Adaptability, Flexibility, Critical Thinking, Analytical, Communication, Interpersonal).

Summative Presentation (group work): Understanding role within a team (Analytical, Self awareness, Team working, Interpersonal). Taking responsibility (Initiative, Team working, Leadership). Delegating (Analysing, Organising, Planning, Prioritising, Team working, Interpersonal, Leadership, Communication). Negotiating (Critical Thinking, Analytical, Interpersonal, Communication, Influencing, Flexibility, Adaptability). Creating and following a plan (Creativity, Initiative, Drive, Organising, Planning). Presenting (Communication, ICT Skills).

Formative Assessment: A wide range of transferable skills developed in researching and identifying job/internship opportunities in social research (and showing how a training in research methods applies directly to these positions). Students also make a mock job application.