Postgraduate Module Descriptor


SOCM019: Research Methods in the Social Sciences

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Structured feedback on classroom contributions10 mins1-12One to one with tutors

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published social science research502,000 words1-12Written feedback
Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic502,000 words 1-12Written feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published socials science researchCritical analysis of an agreed piece of published sociological research (2,000 words)1-12August/September reassessment period
Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topicAnnotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic (2,000 words)1-12August/September reassessment period