Module POLM140 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM140: Qualitative Methods in Social Research
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The aims of this module are to introduce you with core issues in qualitative research in social sciences; to enable you to gain a critical understanding of the opportunities, challenges and prospects for qualitative research in social sciences; and to provide you with the tools for designing a sound research design for qualitative inquiry in social research.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate comprehensive awareness and understanding of the core issues in conducting qualitative research in social sciences; 2. appraise empirical application of research designs in qualitative research in social sciences 3. appraise empirical application of research designs in qualitative research in social sciences |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. demonstrate advanced skills in the core principles of research design, data collection and analysis; 5. recognize and critically discuss the contested and provisional nature of scientific knowledge; 6. assess the relevance, significance and implications of the logics of inquiry in social science research; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. discuss, evaluate and synthesise complex arguments effectively; 8. engage constructively in complex discussions and debates; 9. develop advanced autonomous learning skills, notably self-direction and time management. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research design outline | 500 words | 1-9 | In class |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research design | 70 | 5,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Written critical appraisal of empirical research design | 30 | 2,000 words | 1-9 | Written 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research design (5,000 words) | Research design (5,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Critical appraisal of empirical research design (2,000 words) | Critical appraisal of empirical research design (2,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
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.
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.
Basic reading*
Blatter, J. K, M. Haverland and M. v. Hulst (eds). Qualitative Research in Political Science. Sage.
C. R. Ragin. Redesigning Social Inquiry: Fuzzy Sets and Beyond. University of Chicago Press.
Collier, D. and H. E. Brady (eds). Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards. Rowman & Littlefield
Engeli, I. and C. Rothmayr (eds). Comparative Policy Studies: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges. Palgrave.
Gerring, J. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices. Cambridge University Press.
Gerring, J. Social Science Methodology: A Unified Framework. Cambridge University Press.
Goertz, G. Social Science Concepts and Measurements. Princeton University Press.
Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, E. Brady and D. Collier (eds).The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford University Press.
Kapiszewski, D., L. M. MacLean and B. L. Read (2015). Field Research in Political Science; Practices and Principles. Cambridge University Press.
Maggetti, M., F. Gilardi and C. M. Radelli. Designing Research in Social Sciences. Sage.
Seawright, J. Multi-Method for Social Science: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Tools. Cambridge University Press
Yanow, D. and P. Schwartz-Shea (eds). Interpretation and method: Research methods and the interpretive turn. Sage
Yin, R. Y. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage.
*Many of these books have multiple editions. As these are basic reading, there is no expectation regarding the specific edition.
