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| Module Availability |
Year |
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| Assessment Pattern |
Research folder consisting of three exercises (33.3% each): (1) observation; (2) analysis of textual material; (3) questionnaire design
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| 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.
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
| None |
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| 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.
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| Learning Outcomes |
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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.
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| 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
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
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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.
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| 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
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| Last Updated |
Sept 2010 |
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