2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2721 Approaches to Analysis

20 creditsClass Size: 193

Module manager: Dr Emma-Louise Anderson
Email: E.L.Anderson

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Module replaces

PIED 2720 Approaches to Political Science

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to the ways in which research is conducted in the social sciences, with particular emphasis on approaches commonly used in the fields of politics, international development and international relations. Students will engage with key methodologies, theoretical frameworks and methods used in practical research.

Objectives

- Provide grounding in basic epistemological positions that underpin approaches to research
- Introduce students to dominant methodological/theoretical frameworks that shape approaches to research
- Introduce students to the dominant methods used in research, including methods that they may later use in a level three dissertation project

Learning outcomes
- Students will be able to both understand and critically evaluate key epistemological positions
- Students will grasp the link between the philosophy of the social sciences and approaches to research
- Students will critically evaluate both the assumptions and approaches associated with key methodological/theoretical frameworks used in research
- Students will evaluate the utility of particular methodologies/theories for analysing, understanding and explaining empirical events
- Students will engage in small-group work in which empirical issues are analysed using particular approaches or concepts
- Students will develop awareness of, and sensitivity to, the ethical issues involved in research
- Students will critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of key research methods
- Students will develop appreciation of the use of key methods for obtaining data and information in particular fields of research

Skills outcomes
Students will develop skills in
- Interrogating the epistemological assumptions underpinning research work
- Navigating the links between theories, concepts, frameworks and applied research
- Constructing independent written critical reviews of key approaches to research
- Formulating verbal criticism of key assumptions, approaches and methods used in research
- Working in small-groups to analyse empirical issues using key concepts
- Highlighting the strengths and limitations of using particular research methods to research particular issues

Syllabus

- Positvism and Behaviouralism
- Interpretivism and Constructivism
- Rational Choice Theory
- Discourse analysis
- Feminism
- Power
- Structure and Agency
- Research Ethics
- Research Methods 1 (indicative topics: interviews and focus groups)
- Research Methods 2 (indicative topics: surveys, questionnaires and document analysis)

N.B. The topics cited above on research methods are indicative only and in a given academic year the module teaching team will decide upon the most appropriate research methods to teach according to perceived student need. It may be considered necessary to hold additional lectures to provide specific methods for students from particular undergraduate programmes e.g. map-related methods for International Development students

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be required to prepare for discussions in seminars through extensive reading of sources listed on the module reading list. In addition to this, students should spend time preparing for their assessments which could include finding and using sources not listed on their reading list.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

You will have the opportunity to submit a plan of your assessed essay at mid-term in the module and get feedback from your tutor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500 word essay (end of semester)	50.00
Report	1 X 2,000 words (end of semester)	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/01/2017

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