2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2571 Research in the Environmental Social Sciences

40 creditsClass Size: 180

Module manager: Vanessa Schofield
Email: v.f.schofield@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

SOEE2570 Research in the Environmental Social Sciences

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

A key skill any Sustainability Graduate must have is the ability to use the methods of sustainability science to address real-world challenges. That is what this module teaches. Students will learn quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical methods, and then use them to meet the aims and objectives of a project of their own design in a field work setting.

Objectives

The objective of this module is to prepare students for a significant research activity such as their final year sustainability project.

They will learn how to design and implement projects based on sound environmental social science research. This will include guidance on: undertaking a detailed literature review, identifying an appropriate research approach, designing and implementing relevant data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), and effectively communicating their project outputs. Students will have the opportunity to put these techniques into practice through a field trip, where they can engage with a particular local context and stakeholders.

This module is intended as direct preparation for the final year sustainability project. As such, students will be guided on their choice of project topic and the approach they wish to take on it. They will prepare a proposal for this project in anticipation of their third year.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have demonstrated the following subject specific learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate how research can be used to underpin different kinds of sustainability projects (including academic research, industry reports, policy papers, etc.).
2. Design a research approach, including data collection and analysis, suited to a particular sustainability project.
3. Use appropriate data collection instruments (e.g. surveys, semi-structured interviews, etc.) to collect quantitative and qualitative data.
4. Use appropriate qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques, and formulate evidence-based findings.
5. Formulate a project output that effectively communicates the project outcomes based on their own analysis and related to existing literature.

Students will also have completed the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Project Design/Management
2. Teamwork, collaboration, leadership
3. Communication
4. Problem solving

Syllabus

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	3	2.00	6.00
Workshop	11	2.00	22.00
Workshop	20	2.00	40.00
Lectures	7	2.00	13.00
Fieldwork	5	8.00	40.00
Tutorial	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			277.00
Total Contact hours			123.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

The module requires students to devote a considerable amount of private study time on set readings, preparation for seminars and workshops, reflection on learning, and to research the background, context and existing literature for their projects.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Quantitative Component:

Three statistical worksheets to be completed during timetabled sessions.

Statistical quizzes and group activities to be completed during timetabled sessions.

Assistance provided during computer sessions.

Qualitative Component:

Students record outputs from preparatory activities linked to core elements to be included in the research report during every session for feedback by staff and peers. There is opportunity for discussion about these elements during class.

The 2,000 word report provides opportunity for feedback that feeds forward to the field trip component.

Field trip component: meetings with staff group leader, presentation at end of field trip. Students develop a research proposal and receive feedback from group leaders.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Research Report (Qualitative)	30.00
Assignment	Research Report (Field trip)	40.00
Group Project	Group project (Quantitative)	30.00
Report	Qualitative Project Report	0.00
Report	Project report (Field trip)	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The resit will be in the form of a research project.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/09/2024

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