INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS - 2019/0

Module Overview

The module provides an introduction to the process of research and the diverse research methods used within sociology, media studies and criminology

 

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

HUBBARD Katherine (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

·         Introduction to philosophy of social science

·         Developing research questions

·         Research design

·         Ethics in social research

·         Survey research

·         Ethnography

·         Interviews

·         Secondary analysis

·         Documentary methods

·         Visual methods

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

NA

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of how to identify key features of research articles,  to gain practice in finding relevant literature and demonstrate their ability to evaluate the use of a specific method in relation to such literature. Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

· An 1000 word assignment which involves students finding and identifying key features of one empirical article from their area of interest relevant to a substantive topic of their choice. The assignment also assesses basic writing skills, referencing, and understanding of key readings. Typically due in week 6.

· A 2,000 word research report allowing assessment of student’s ability to evaluate research methods from the module. In this they have to utilize at least 5 articles which use this method in order to apply their evaluations and develop a substantive argument about the method. The assignment also assesses basic writing skills, referencing, and understanding of key readings. Typically due in week 12.

Formative assessment and feedback:
Students receive regular feedback during seminars from postgraduate tutors. Students are also able to schedule one-to-one meetings with the course convenor to discuss progress and assessments. Feedback on assignments are returned to students within three weeks of submission and include details on substantive content and core study skills.

Module aims

• To provide an overview of the diverse research methods used within sociology, media studies and criminology
• To familiarise students with examples of research carried out using different methods
• To introduce the basics of research design

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide students with a general introduction to research methods and research design and give them a ‘taster’ of a range of methods they will learn about in more detail in future modules. The lectures include both an introduction to the basics of distinct approaches as well as examples of the use of methods in contemporary empirical research projects. The seminar groups act as a forum for students to discuss these ideas in more depth, to carry out and reflect on practical exercises and to provide support and guidance for assignments

The learning and teaching methods include:

·         1 hour lecture x 11 weeks

·         1 hour seminar x 11 weeks

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC1025

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.