Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2004: Into the Field

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

Module Aims

“Research methods” is a general term that alludes to practices of collecting data. A key benefit that research methods offer practitioners of social science is the opportunity to ground intellectual concerns (and often rather abstract ideas) about the social world in data collection and diverse forms of observation of the actualities of concrete social and cultural realities. This module prepares you for going 'into the field' by providing you with a range of skills needed to conceive of, design, justify, execute and report on original and independent social science research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate awareness of the various stages of the research process; 2. Think critically about different techniques of data collection and analysis; 3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods; 4. Demonstrate analytical understanding of the relevance and appropriateness to different research problems
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. Write effective research proposals; 6. Evaluate research proposals;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Develop a thought-out plan of action for future research; 8. Think about social life in new ways; 9. Communicate effectively in written and verbal form.

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:

Surveying existing research and finding your niche
Formulating research questions / honing your argument
Research design
Methods of data collection
Ethics
Generating, handling and analyzing data
The art of writing research proposals
Identifying ‘good’ research

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
24	126	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	16.5	11 X 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	7.5	5 X 1 hour workshops
Guided Independent study	30	Course readings
Guided Independent study	30	Preparing for and writing a research proposal
Guided Independent study	66	Preparation for assignments, library, research etc.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).