Module Information
Module Identifier
GS21620
Module Title
Sociological Research in the 'Field'
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Individual write-up of group project 2500 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Project Proposal 1500 Words | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Literature Review 1500 Words | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Project Proposal 1500 Words | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual write-up of group project 2500 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Literature Review 1500 Words | 25% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Identify topical and relevant research problems in Sociology.
Design research strategies for data collection and analysis that are relevant to designated
research questions.
Demonstrate proficiency in a range of data collection/analysis techniques.
Communicate research findings
Brief description
Through analysis of relevant and topical themes in sociology the module will address the following objectives:
- To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis testing, research design and data collection.
- To provide an opportunity to apply theoretical and technical understandings of methodologies and methods to the more complex social field.
- Consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes
- Consideration of safety when collecting primary data
- To develop a sense of place, awareness of difference, and tolerance for others.
- To promote certain transferable skills required in practical work and seminars, including teamwork, observation, problem identification
- To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis testing, research design and data collection.
- To provide an opportunity to apply theoretical and technical understandings of methodologies and methods to the more complex social field.
- Consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes
- Consideration of safety when collecting primary data
- To develop a sense of place, awareness of difference, and tolerance for others.
- To promote certain transferable skills required in practical work and seminars, including teamwork, observation, problem identification
Content
The module objectives will be delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops/field visits. These will culminate in an extended period fieldwork. Topics covered and techniques developed will be inclusive of the following:
- Research ethics and research integrity
- Identifying effective research topics
- Writing a research proposal
- Health, safety and risk assessments
- Primary data collection
- Research ethics and research integrity
- Identifying effective research topics
- Writing a research proposal
- Health, safety and risk assessments
- Primary data collection
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Define these terms. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Problem solving is a key criterion for this course. This includes building rationale for research and research design in reference to existing literature/debates/ data sources |
| Critical and analytical thinking | This module will develop observational and interpretive field skills. Critical thinking skills will be developed through interactive seminars and field exercises. |
| Digital capability | Students will be expected to use information technology to aid further reading when completing assignments, including online literature searching and synthesis, word processing technology, and preparation of digital photographs and maps. |
| Professional communication | Fieldwork is inherently interactive with a high number of contact hours between staff and students. This ensures the development of strong communication, with ample opportunities for one-to-one and group discussions. |
| Reflection | Students will develop an opportunity to reflect upon research design and fieldwork undertaken in the first part of the module as a basis for undertaking data collection and analysis in the second part/extended fieldwork component of the module. |
| Subject Specific Skills | This module will deliver subject specific skills which aim to make our graduates employable across a range of sectors. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5