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SOC10070

Academic Year 2024/2025

Sociological Analysis and Research Design (SOC10070)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Egle Gusciute
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to sociological research design and methods. It constitutes the foundation for further study of empirical research in Sociology and other disciplines. The module covers key elements of the research process (e.g. literature review, research questions, research design, sampling, research ethics, etc.) and introduces students to quantitative and qualitative research methods (e.g. experiments, surveys, interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research). The module also focusses on how sociological explanations can be made and substantiated with empirical research by drawing on real world research examples. In the seminars students will have an opportunity to learn the basics of research methods in smaller groups and to work on designing their own research projects.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe key components of research process and research design;

2. Explain and critically examine the difference between quantitative and qualitative research strategies and research methods;

3. Prepare and design a research project on a research topic of your choice.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative topics:

Philosophy of knowledge
Research strategies
Research process
Research questions
Literature review
Referencing
Research design
Causality
Social experiments
Concepts and their measurement
Survey research
Structured observation
Content analysis
Interviews
Focus groups
Ethnographic research
Mixed methods research
Sampling
Secondary data
Research ethics
Descriptive statistics
Research project design

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

82
Lectures

24
Seminar (or Webinar)

4
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module, include, but are not limited to: active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures.

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
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online open book MCQ Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A short literature review on a chosen research topic. Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Exam (In-person): 2 hour written exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Aidan Byrne Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Carlos Maria Collado Garcia Tutor
Halyna Herasym Tutor
Xing Jiang Tutor
Yuwen Pan Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Seminar Offering 3 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Seminar Offering 4 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Seminar Offering 5 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Seminar Offering 6 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Seminar Offering 7 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 8 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Seminar Offering 9 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Seminar Offering 10 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Seminar Offering 11 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Seminar Offering 12 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 13 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Seminar Offering 14 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 15 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Seminar Offering 16 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Seminar Offering 17 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 18 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Seminar Offering 20 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Seminar Offering 21 Week(s) - 24, 26, 29, 32 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
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