Module SOCM020 for 2021/2
- 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 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 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: research proposal | 60 | 3,000 words | 1-11 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published social science research | Critical analysis of an agreed piece of published social science research (2,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment 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 reassessment period |
Essay: research proposal | Research proposal (3,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment 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