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SOC41200

Academic Year 2024/2025

Research Design (SOC41200)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Boroka Bo
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course will introduce you to the process of developing, carrying out, and writing up a sociological research project. You will learn how to work with the logical and analytic techniques commonly used in social science research. You will be introduced to good practices in academic writing and also learn how to balance feasibility constraints with producing research you can be proud of. We will explore some methodological considerations encountered in fieldwork, comparative inquiry, and survey analysis. By the end of the semester, you will be able to grapple with linking theory and evidence via carefully selected data and research methods.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Students will understand the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
(2) Students will identify research goals and determine appropriate research strategies.
(3) Students will learn how to present their written research proposals through visual presentations.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will leave this module with a fully-drafted, reviewed and feasible research proposal idea for their minor dissertation or capstone project. Proposal parameters will be captured in their abstract.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

230
Total

254

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The following learning/teaching will define the module:

(1) Presentation coupled with individual feedback
(2) Group interaction to develop a research project
(3) One-on-one interaction to facilitate reflective progress

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): To help you organize the literature on your topic, you will create a mind map in your preferred format. You are welcome to do this by hand, or use one of the many freely available online platforms. Week 6 Graded Yes

20

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): 1000 word abstract describing your topic, research question(s), methods and hypotheses. Use Harvard style citations for your references (these do not count in the word limit). Week 15 Graded Yes

80

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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