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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: SOC1004 Module Title: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS 1
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SOC103
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: MEADOWS RA Dr (Sociology)
Number of credits: 20 Number of ECTS credits: 10
 
Module Availability

Year

Assessment Pattern

Research folder consisting of three exercises (33.3% each): (1) observation; (2) analysis of textual material; (3) questionnaire design  

 

Module Overview

Aims of the Module

 

·       To introduce the main methods of social research and to provide some practical experience in their use.

 

·       To appreciate the strengths and limitations of different methods, as well as some of their theoretical and ethical implications.

 

·       To develop an ability to evaluate critically the applications of research methods and research results.

 

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
None
Module Aims

·      To introduce the main methods of social research and to provide some practical experience in their use.

 

 

·      To appreciate the strengths and limitations of different methods, as well as some of their theoretical and ethical implications.

 

 

·      To develop an ability to evaluate critically the applications of research methods and research results.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Having completed this module, students should:

 

·       Be able to describe basic features of the various qualitative and quantitative social research methods.

 

·       Have gained experience in the use of a number of qualitative and quantitative social research methods.

 

·       Be able to critically evaluate the particular strengths and weaknesses of different methods of social research.

 

 

 

 

 

Module Content

QUALITATIVE METHODS 
(6 Lectures)                                                

 

 

This section of the module provides an introduction to qualitative methods of social research, such as observation, semi-structured interviewing and focus groups. Lectures will explore the particular insights generated by qualitative inquiry and some of the practical and ethical issues associated with their use.  Lectures will cover the following issues:

 

 

Introduction to qualitative approaches

 

Ethical issues and the conducting of fieldwork

 

Understanding through observation

 

Qualitative interviewing

 

Focus groups

 

Evaluating qualitative research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENTARY AND HISTORICAL METHODS (4 lectures)         

                                                                                                                       

 

 

The lectures will provide a guide to documentary research sources, methods, possibilities and problems.  They will examine the more traditional approaches to documentary and historical research as well as newer approaches, such as the collection of life histories, analysing visual sources, content analysis and semiotics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS (10 Lectures)                               

 

This section of the course provides an introduction to survey design and methodology. The primary points of focus are on how surveys bridge the gap between theory and measurement and establishing the factors that constitute quality in survey measurement and reporting. The lectures will cover the following areas:

 

 

Inductive and deductive approaches to theory building

 

Theories, concepts and measurement – operationalisation in social research

 

History and logic of the sample survey

 

The art and the science of questionnaire design

 

Sources of error in survey measurement – threats to validity and reliability

 

Modes of data collection; self-completion; CAPI; CATI; and the Web

 

Social indicators and attitude measurement

 

Quality criteria in survey methods

 

Ethical considerations in survey research

 

 

 

 

Methods of Teaching/Learning

The fortnightly classes associated with the lectures provide an opportunity to discuss issues associated with various forms of data collection and to carry out practical exercises in data collection and analysis.  Students experience collecting their own data using a range of different methods, either individually or in groups.

 

 

 

Selected Texts/Journals

De Vaus D A, (1996), Surveys in Social Research London : UCL Press, 4th edition.

 

Gilbert G N (ed) (2008) Researching Social Life, London : Sage, 3rd edition Hammersley M, & Atkinson P, (1995), Ethnography: Principles in Practice 2nd edition Routledge

 

Mason, J. (2002 Qualitative Researching London : Sage, 2nd edition

 

Scott J, (1990), A Matter of Record Polity Press

 

Seale, C. (ed) (2004) Researching Society and Culture 2nd edition London : Sage

 

 

Last Updated

Sept 2010