Module SOC2004 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| 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).
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 Review | 800 words | 1-9 | Written |
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 proposal | 100 | 3000 words | 1-9 | Written |
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 Proposal | Research proposal (3,000 words) | 1-9 | 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.
Bernard, H. Russell 2006, Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, Fourth Edition. Altamira Press.
Becker, H. S. 1986, Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article. University of Chicago Press.
Howard S. Becker, 1998, Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You’re Doing It. University of Chicago Press.
Berg, Bruce. 2001. Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. London : Allyn & Bacon.
Blaxter, L. and C. Hughes and M. Tight. 1996. How to Research. Open University Press.
Denscombe, Martin. 1998.The Good Research Guide. Open University Press.
Gilbert, Nigel (Ed). 2008 (3rd edition). Researching Social Life. London: Sage
May, Tim. 2001 (3rd Edition). Social Research. Open University Press.
Robson, C. 2007. How to do a research project: a guide for undergraduate students. Oxford: Blackwell.
Seale, Clive (Ed), 2004 (2nd edition). Researching Society and Culture. Sage.
