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SOC40330

Academic Year 2024/2025

Workshop in Qualitative Research (SOC40330)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Sara O'Sullivan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This introductory module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out a qualitative research project. An understanding of qualitative research as a systematic and rigorous form of inquiry underpins the course. Topics covered will include the main characteristics of qualitative research, qualitative research design, ethics; interviewing, observation, working with documents and media texts, analysing qualitative data and writing up qualitative findings. Over the semester students will carry out a research exercises and will have opportunities for hands-on experience.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Show an understanding of the principles that underpin qualitative research and the main methods used to generate qualitative data;
2. Develop clear and answerable research questions;
3. Understand the principles of qualitative research design;
4. Demonstrate a capacity to identify appropriate methodologies and analytic approaches for different research contexts/ questions;
5. Develop a research proposal;
6. Use the relevant methodological literature;
7. Critically appraise research instruments and fieldwork plans.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to qualitative research; literature/ theory in qualitative research; research design; ethics; interviewing; observation; working with documents and media texts; analyzing qualitative data; writing up qualitative findings

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Specified Learning Activities

88

Autonomous Student Learning

140

Total

250


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Participatory workshops;
In class research exercises;
Active discussion of course readings;
Reflection on workshop exercises.

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
Participation in Learning Activities: Each student will lead an in-class discussion in a week of their choice. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 12 Graded No

20

No
Portfolio: Six short research tasks Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10

No
Individual Project: Qualitative research proposal Week 14 Graded No

70

Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on research exercises will usually be given in class . Feedback on other continuous assessment work will be individual via Brightspace.