Module SOCM020 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
SOCM020: Research Methods in the Social Sciences
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to provide a general introduction to the nature of research in the social sciences, the methods associated with such research, varying positions on the relationship between theory and method, problems of research design, and a range of relevant research skills (conducting and reporting research). Together with generic research training in quantitative and qualitative methods, this module provides you with the understanding and skills required to successfully undertake Master's level research. You will be introduced to the nature of explanation in the social sciences and to methodological issues specific to particular sub-fields. The module will further introduce you to basic principles of research design and strategy, including the formulation of researchable problems and an appreciation for alternative approaches to research. You will develop an appreciation for research ethics in the social sciences.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate comprehensive understanding and skills in conducting and communicating research in the social sciences; 2. demonstrate competency in a wide range of skills in the selection and use of differing research methods, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research; |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the relationship between empirical research and theory generation and testing; 4. demonstrate detailed knowledge and appropriate use of library resources and bibliographic aids for preparation of literature reviews; 5. develop advanced and effective writing, graphical and oral presentation skills specific to the communication of research; 6. acquire the relevant knowledge, awareness and appreciation of ethical and legal issues and procedures in social scientific research, understand the role of ethics committees, understand the ESRC's Research Ethics Framework, and relevant codes of practice relating to their own research conduct, and be able to demonstrate in practice how they will address such issues in their own research; 7. understand issues surrounding Intellectual Property Rights and Data Protection; |
Personal and Key Skills | 8. demonstrate competence in the general management of research including setting appropriate timescales, clarifying precisely the aims and expected results of research and good time management; 9. develop and improve communication skills as demonstrated in workshop participation; 10. demonstrate skill in the use of a wide range of computer resources for bibliographic searches and in various ways of reporting research; 11. develop advanced skills required to deal with the print and broadcast media; |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. Introduction: Overview of methodological concerns in the social sciences; questions of research design, role of theory and evidence; values and ethics in social science research.
2. Theory and evidence: lecture and seminar discussion. The relationship between social theory and social research; uses of theory in quantitative and qualitative research.
3. Subject specific seminar and workshop sessions on methodological strategies and debates: examining links between different disciplines and methodologies (e.g. anthropology and ethnography)
4. Seminar and workshop sessions on research design: define and formulate research problems and questions; rationale and selection of appropriate research methods, in particular quantitative and qualitative methods; introduction to research management strategies; understanding different forms of sampling, sampling error and potential biases in the interpretation of research finding; understanding and applying concepts of generalisability, validity, reliability and replicability and different perspectives on how these may be defined.
5. Seminar and workshop sessions on skills relevant to research in social science and interdisciplinary subjects, including library and bibliographic, data sharing requirements and implications for research design and practice, introduction to computing skills, and communicating research.
6. Seminar and workshop on ethics: introduction to ethical issues in social science research; ESRC's Research Ethics Framework; NHS research ethics procedures.
The assignments in this module will allow you to focus on a topic and research related to your specific sub-field and dissertation topic relevant to your postgraduate study
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
Guided Independent study | 130 | Reading, thinking and preparing for seminars |
Guided independent study | 23 | Web-based learning |
Guided Independent study | 125 | Essay research, preparation and completion |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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 assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Structured feedback on classroom contributions | Throughout seminars | 1-11 | Oral - Meeting with module tutor |
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.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published social science research | 20 | 2,000 words | 1-11 | Written feedback. |
Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic | 20 | 2,000 words | 1-11 | Written feedback |
Essay | 60 | 3,000 words | 1-11 | Written feedback |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published socials science research | Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published sociological research (2,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September Re-assessment period |
Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic | Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic (2,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September assessment period |
Essay | Annotated literature review (minimum 10 pieces) of an agreed topic (3,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September assessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Principles of Research Design in the Social Sciences, F Bechhofer, Routledge 2000
Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, J Creswell & V Plano Clark, Sage 2007
Researching Social Life, Gilbert, N. and Stoneman, P. Sage, 2016
Theory and Methods in Social Research, Somekh, B. and Lewin, C. Blackwell, 2011