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| Module Availability |
Year Long |
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| Assessment Pattern |
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Unit(s) of Assessment
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Weighting Towards Module Mark(%)
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Essay (2000 words)
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40%
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Project Using Research Method
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40%
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Portfolio
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20%
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| Module Overview |
Building on work at Level 1, this module focuses on approaches to research and the analysis of data and the application of results, together with issues facing the research community. A second strand provides an introduction to SPSS, a data analysis software package. |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
| POL 106 |
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| Module Aims |
This module aims to build on students’ understanding of research methodologies introduced at Level 1. In part 1, the module will focus on critical evaluation of research case studies and an introduction to the main features of SPSS. The module aims to stimulate critical thinking about research in politics and the strengths and limitations of specific examples of research. Part 2 will enable students to familiarise themselves with statistical analysis using SPSS. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
Subject Specific Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module students will:
- Have an understanding of research processes and practical methodologies.
- Gain insights into the current issues facing research.
- Gain insights into the nature of evaluation and be able to understand the nature of evidence.
Generic Learning Outcomes and Skills
Cognitive Skills
- Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from secondary and some primary sources.
- Identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems.
- Construct reasoned arguments, synthesize relevant information and exercise critical judgement.
- Reflect on their own learning and seek and make use of constructive feedback.
- Engage in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary debates.
- Evaluate texts and research material.
Transferable Skills
- To communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing.
- To use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information, including, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information.
- To deploy a range of relevant research and evaluation skills.
- To adopt a proactive and effective approach to problem solving.
Practical Skills
- To apply self organisation.
- To make appropriate use of information and communications technology.
- To demonstrate the ability to present work orally.
- To employ relevant research and evaluation skills to investigate politics - or policy-related areas.
- To access relevant politics - and policy-related datasets and be able to retrieve data from them.
- Produce academically rigorous reports.
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| Module Content |
The first semester will consist of critical analysis of examples of key research texts
The second semester will comprise workshops on statistical analysis using SPSS |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion, investigation of examples and key texts. |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Bryman, A. (2002) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Field, J. (2003) Evaluating Community Projects. Leicester: NIACE.
Knox, A C. (2002) Evaluating for Continuing Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Punch, K S. (2000) Introduction to Social Research, Quantitative and Qualitative
Approaches. London: Sage.
Green, S.B., Salkind, N. J. & Akey, T. M. (2000) Using SPSS for Windows, London, Prentice
Hall |
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| Last Updated |
01.02.07 |
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