2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP2010 Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods

20 creditsClass Size: 210

Module manager: Dr Lisa Buckner(Sem 1); Dr Andrea Hollomotz(Sem 2)
Email: l.j.buckner@leeds.ac.uk; a.hollomotz@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits at Level 1 from a social science related discipline or the appropriate discovery theme.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module takes a hands-on approach to qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research. Topics covered include research design and relevant strategies, ethical issues, sampling, questionnaire construction, interviewing, participant observation, official statistics, document and content analysis, analysis of large data sets, hypothesis construction, descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis.This module also allows students the opportunity to engage directly with the research strengths in the School through a series of research seminars.

Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students will have developed independent research skills. In particular, they will have demonstrated:
- independent research project management skills
- skills in computing and statistical analysis
- the ability to apply a range of quantitative and qualitative research techniques
- an awareness of ethical issues arising from social research
- the ability to critically analyse research methodology

Learning outcomes
- an understanding of research strategy and design
- knowledge of a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches
- an awareness of ethical issues arising from social research
- an ability to critically analyze research methodology
- skills in computing and statistical analysis

Syllabus

- research strategy and design
- qualitative research methods
- quantitative research methods
- using SPSS to analyse secondary data

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	22	1.00	22.00
Computer Class	10	1.00	10.00
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			60.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent online learning will consist of weekly directed study tasks which re-enforce material covered in the learning units and tutorials.

Private study will include assessment preparation, suggested readings and personal SPSS computing time.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at tutorials and workshops.
Responses to online independent learning tasks

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	9 weekly MCQ online tests (wks 1-9)	15.00
In-course MCQ	1 extended MCQ test (wks 10-11)	35.00
Research Proposal	1 x 2,500 word Research Proposal (sem 2)	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: 28/04/2023 14:51:52

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