RESEARCHING THE SOCIAL WORLD: QUALITATIVE METHODS - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module introduces students to qualitative field methods including unstructured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant and non-participant observation. Lectures will explore the particular insights generated by qualitative field methods as well as the problems and possibilities that researchers employing these methods encounter. Students will gain experience in designing, collecting, producing, and analysing their own data.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

HEMMING Peter (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:

Why use qualitative field methods?
Ethnographic approaches to the social world
Observation methods and reflexivity
Ethical issues in conducting fieldwork
Designing research and finding participants
Researcher and researched relationships
Qualitative interviewing process and focus groups
Managing and coding qualitative data
Analysing and interpreting qualitative data

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their in-depth understanding and to apply their knowledge of qualitative field methods in relation conducting social research.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

A 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.

One observation and reflection report. This is a 1500 word report based on the student conducting an observation of a public space, discussing what they observed and reflecting on the process of doing the observation.

Module aims

• To provide an overview of the qualitative field methods used within sociology, media studies and criminology, especially qualitative interviewing and ethnography
• To introduce students to the practical and epistemological problems involved in conducting qualitative field methods
• To provide students with experience in conducting and writing about qualitative field research

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to reflect the programme’s key learning and teaching aims by:

Developing students’ in-depth understanding of key methodological issues in qualitative field methods approaches;

Developing students’ ability to recognise and evaluate the appropriateness and the advantages and disadvantages of a range of qualitative field methods approaches;

Developing students’ in-depth knowledge and familiarity with current debates and issues about ethics, sampling, analysis, and interpretation in qualitative research;

Developing students’ knowledge, experience and confidence in using a range of qualitative methods approaches;

Developing key study skills that relate to employability.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures (1 hour per week);

Seminars (1 hour per week);

Class exercises;

Class discussions;

Independent study.

Each session focuses on one aspect of qualitative field methods. Sessions are split between lectures which aim to provide a broad introduction to a topic and seminars which are focussed on activities and application of knowledge as well as aiming to allow more in-depth discussion of key issues. Interaction between lecturers, tutors and students is encouraged throughout.

Each session has one piece of primary reading which all students are expected to read. This reading provides the basis for the activities and class discussions. Additional reading is strongly encouraged too.

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: SOC1051

Other information

N/A

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 2023/4 academic year.