Cementing Sociological Research

Module Identifier
GS20620
Module Title
Cementing Sociological Research
Academic Year
2027/2028
Semester
Semester 1
Co-ordinator
Dr Bethany Simmonds
Reading List
View on Aspire
Pre-Requisite

Students will need to have completed foundational training in the principles in sociological research design, and analysis to be able to take this module. The aim of this module is to extend and scaffold up from this learn knowledge and skills.
Other Staff
Dr Yvonne Ehrstein

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment details

Proportion
Semester Assessment Literature review (individual): Students will be asked to write a literature review on some suggested sociological topics. 1500 Words 40%
Semester Assessment Research Proposal (group): Students will be put into groups of 3-5 and asked to write a research proposal on a topic covered in Assessment 1 by one student in the group. 2500 Words 60%
Supplementary Assessment Literature review (individual): Students will be asked to write a literature review on some suggested sociological topics. 1500 Words 40%
Supplementary Assessment Research Proposal (individual): The student will be asked to write a research proposal on a topic which they wrote about in Assessment 1. 2500 Words 60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  1. Position a research design within a wider body of sociological literature.
  2. Formulate collaboratively an effective research strategy to address sociological research questions.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of sociological research methods/methodologies and their appropriate uses.

Brief description

This module provides students with first-hand involvement in designing a small-scale empirical research project. Individually, they will be asked to write a literature review on a sociological topic from a list of options. Then working in small groups, students will select a research problem and design a project to address it, design an effective research strategy, select a suitable research methodology/method and consider ethical implications of the research.

Content

The topics that will be covered will include:

• Literature searches and literature reviews
• Research epistemologies
• Research justification and research proposals
• Ethical considerations
• Analysing quantitative data
• Analysing qualitative data
• Writing up research reports
• Reflexivity and reflection in research

Module skills

Skills type

Skills details
Co-ordinating with others Working with others can be challenging and identifying people's strengths is a skill, which may be developed in this module.
Creative Problem Solving Working in groups and designing research can be challenging. Student will need to think creatively to solve any challenges that may arise in designing research.
Critical and analytical thinking Critical thinking is key to evaluating existing literature, and in positioning new research designs in the sociological field.
Subject Specific Skills Students will extend knowledge in sociological methodological approaches and methods.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5