SOC30550 Research Project

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module offers an opportunity to work on an independent research project at the UCD School of Sociology. All students will be offered several research projects to choose from. It is expected that each research team will be composed of approximately five students.

Each group will work under faculty supervision.

The module is designed to learn from practice. Students will be able to try out practical skills such as collection of data, analysis, literature review, presentation, etc. In other words, the module works with various stages of an actual research process. The module’s major purpose is to introduce students to sociological research through practice.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

- Application of skills in a sociological research project;
- Learning practical research skills;
- Gaining knowledge about practical solutions;
- Applying ethical rules in real research;
- Experience presentation of research outcomes.

Indicative Module Content:

The module is designed as a practical application of theoretical knowledge in an ongoing supervised sociological research. Thus, most of its time will be dedicated to conducting fieldwork and other relevant research tasks in small groups of five. The structure of the module will roughly look in the following way:
Weeks 1-3: Introduction, research ethics, overview of research projects on offer, choosing one's project;
Weeks 4-10: Conducting fieldwork and other tasks in groups under the supervision of a faculty member;
Weeks 11-12: Presentation of the outcomes of the group research projects, conclusion.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

8
Small Group

60
Field Trip/External Visits

82
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

250
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is mostly a practical module. Therefore, it majorly consists of practical work in small laboratory-like groups supervised by a faculty member. Additional work will include: seminars, reading, reflective writing, and oral presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): The goal of this peer review assignment is to provide constructive feedback to your team members, helping them improve their future work and collaboration skills. Week 9 Graded Yes

30

 Yes
Report(s): Your group will write a research report by the end of your fieldwork period (app. Mid-April). The report is a collective effort. Week 12 Graded Yes

40

 Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Your group will give a short 10-minute presentation to inform your peers and faculty of your findings. Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded Yes

30

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Depending on the tasks, your feedback will be either communicated online, or delivered in class discussions. Feedback is expected from both research supervisors and a module coordinator, as well as a faculty panel who will attend your final presentations and offer their comments. Your fieldwork and research reports are assessed by your group supervisors; your in-class presentation is assessed by a panel of faculty members; and your final reflection journal is assessed by the module coordinator. Module coordinator has the right to assess other assignments, too.