University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2023/24 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > Sociology (PhD) > Specification
Programme code | 9SOCI001R |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Research Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Jonathan Floyd
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This PhD programme aims to develop researchers in sociology.
The taught component of this programme aims to develop the students' interest in and knowledge and understanding of the range of skills needed by a researcher in the social sciences. The curriculum is designed to cover the core elements of the ESRC research training guidelines. It provides knowledge of the generic skills required by social scientists in qualitative and quantitative methods, research deign and philosophy of the social sciences, as well as core skills in social research, including library, data base and internet searching, IT skills, and ethical and legal questions.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies include: 1. Directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation, debate), seminar presentations, practical exercises, essays, dissertation workshops, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. 2. Use of learning technologies including the online learning platform, discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, power-point, and handouts. 3. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The breadth and depth of the student’s knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of research methods is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment. All elements of summative student work contribute to the allocation of credit points. 1. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of research methods and design is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on practical exercises and contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and/or written feedback on seminar presentations. 2. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of research methods and design is provided in the form of formative written feedback on 3,500 to 4,000 word analytical and research-based essays or equivalent other work e.g., group project, two shorter essays or one shorter essay and a diary project. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Critical academic abilities and intellectual skills are developed through a range of methods and strategies in these core research training units. The learning of generic social science research methods is facilitated by seminar participation, practical exercises, written exercises, and presentation assignments. Areas of achievement and those requiring improvement are identified through the varied seminar and assessment activities. These core units culminate in summative assessment, which takes the form of essays, a research report based on analysis of a secondary dataset, and/or a research proposal. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The student’s intellectual skills and understanding of the substance of the field of research methods is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment. All elements of summative student work contribute to the allocation of credit points. 1. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of research methods and design is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on practical exercises and contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and/or written feedback on seminar presentations. 2. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of research methods and design is provided in the form of formative written feedback on 3,500 to 4,000 word analytical and research-based essays or equivalent other work e.g., group project, two shorter essays or one shorter essay and a diary project. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Effective communication skills are developed through a number of strategies, including seminar participation, seminar group work, seminar presentations, and essay writing. In all cases, students are required to integrate evidence and argument coherently and persuasively. The ability to present and communicate a sustained argument in written format is developed through the analytical and research-based summative assessments. Oral communication skills are developed in seminar contributions, seminar group work and seminar presentations. Team-work skills are developed through group exercises in seminars and team-work presentations. Effective use of information technology is developed through the extensive use of the online learning delivery platform, the extensive use of the internet for both academic and non-academic sources, and email. As the school communicates information frequently to it taught postgraduate students through a collective email list, students must become conversant with it. The school organises Library training sessions by a member of the library staff at the beginning of the academic year to ensure adequate understanding of learning resources. An appreciation of professional standards and integrity is developed through clear guidelines and handouts on plagiarism, referencing, bibliographies, word length, deadlines and clear guidelines on penalties for violating institutional/school rules on each of the above. The school offers drop-in Study Skills Tuition and a written Study guide for those wishing additional help |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The student’s intellectual skills and understanding of the substance of the field of research methods is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment. All elements of summative student work contribute to the allocation of credit points. 1. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of research methods and design is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on practical exercises and contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and/or written feedback on seminar presentations. 2. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of research methods and design is provided in the form of formative written feedback on 3,500 to 4,000 word analytical and research-based essays or equivalent other work e.g., group project, two shorter essays or one shorter essay and a diary project. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
This research training is part of a 4-year PhD programme and designed to provide core research skills. All Certificate, Diploma and Masters students on the MRes, as well as PhD students, take three 20 credit point units, which develop: core skills in social science research, including the ability to manage their own research, perform effective information searches, retrieve and evaluate information for the purposes of research and organise on-line data and bibliographic search strategies; a foundational knowledge and understanding of general social science research methods, both quantitative (statistics, data analysis and computing) and qualitative (interviewing, ethnography, data collection by questionnaire); and a foundational knowledge and understanding of the philosophy of the social sciences. They are also expected to develop a wide range of practical, professional and transferable skills. The PG Certificate is only available as an exit award, in the event that the student has completed the 60 credits of research training but does not complete the PhD. |
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For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Part-time students may take two years to complete the taught component of this programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1,TB-2 |
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
60 |
The assessment of the taught component of a doctoral degree is governed by the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and is assessed separately from the research project. Progression to the research project may be dependent on the successful completion of the taught component - please refer to the relevant handbook for the structure of the particular programme.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
It may be possible to exit the programme with a taught award. For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Research Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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