Researching Society

Module Details for SO3140 Researching Society (Part 1 MT)

Module Code

SOU33011

Module Name

Researching Society

Module Short Title

Qualitative Research

ECTS weighting

5 ECTS

Semester/term taught

Michaelmas Term

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:

• Design a social research project;
• Understand the principles and assumptions associated with Qualitative research;
• Select and justify the most appropriate research method to answer particular research questions;
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various research methods;
• Distinguish and apply suitable types of analysis to varying research designs;
• Apply appropriate ethical standards to research design;
• Understand issues of power, inequality and exploitation in qualitative research.  

Module Content

Part I of the module builds on the broad introduction to social research in second year, which explored the range of techniques employed in qualitative methods, overviewed basic methods of qualitative analysis and began the process of developing written arguments. In particular the module will focus on designing and formulating a research project with corresponding sampling, data collection and analysis methods. This part of the module will also particularly focus on research proposal requirements.

Recommended Reading List

Gilbert, N. (ed) (2008) Researching Social Life, London: Sage.
Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P. (2007) Ethnography: principles in practice, Routledge.
Seale, C. (ed) (2004) Researching Society and Culture, London: Sage.
Yin, R.K. (2009) Case Study Research, London: Sage

Other useful texts:
Richards, L. (2006) Handling Qualitative Data. London: Sage (http://www.sagepub.co.uk/richards)
Denzin, N. and Y. Lincoln (2005) Handling Qualitative Data. London: Sage.

Module Pre Requisite

SO2110/1

Assessment Details

Coursework (100%)