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| Unit name |
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SPS) |
| Unit code |
SPOLM0013 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Demi Patsios |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Introduction to Quantitative Research Understanding Educational Research (for MSc in Educational Research) Core Skills in Educational Research (for MSc in Educational Research)
|
| School/department |
School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
The unit aims to provide foundation knowledge and skills for the design of research in the social sciences, including an appreciation of philosophical, practical and ethical issues. Students will apply these in the particular context of their own discipline.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Module specific skills:
- Have an understanding of the differing philosophical bases of social science research.
- Appreciate the relevance of social science theories to the design of research.
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Discipline specific skills:
- Demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of philosophical debates surrounding the methodologies used in the discipline.
- Develop research questions and employ research methods appropriate to the discipline.
- Develop research proposals which take account of relevant ethical issues.
- Develop a critical understanding of the use and abuse of evidence for policy and practice as relevant to the discipline.
Personal and key skills:
- Critical analysis.
- Ability to reflect on personal/ethical issues raised by engagement in research.
- Group work.
Presentation skills.
Teaching Information
Lectures/presentations, seminars, group work, virtual learning environment
Assessment Information
| Form of Assessment
|
Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length
|
ILOs assessed by this assessment
|
Feedback method
|
| Formative Group presentation
|
10-15 minutes
|
Module specific
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Personal and key skills
- Group work
- Presentation skills
|
Verbal
|
| Formative Individual presentation (alternative to Group presentation) Note: To be used when student is unable to participate in group presentation.
|
10-15 minute presentation to unit convenor
|
Module specific
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Personal and key skills
|
Verbal
|
| Formative (alternative) Essay Note: To be used when student is unable to attend all unit sessions.
|
1,300-1,500 words Evaluation of a published study
|
Module specific
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Discipline specific
- Demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of philosophical debates surrounding the methodologies used in the discipline.
- Develop a critical understanding of the use and abuse of evidence for policy and practice as relevant to the discipline.
|
Written
|
| Formative (alternative) Essay Note: To be used when student is unable to attend all unit sessions.
|
1,300-1,500 words Draft research design proposal
|
Module specific
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Discipline specific
- Demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of philosophical debates surrounding the methodologies used in the discipline.
- Develop research questions and employ research methods appropriate to the discipline.
- Develop research proposals which take account of relevant ethical issues.
|
Written
|
| Summative (100%)
|
Essay(s) 3,500-4,000 words
|
Module specific
- Have an understanding of the differing philosophical bases of social science research.
- Appreciate the relevance of social science theories to the design of research.
- Understand the principles and processes of research design
- Appreciate a range of ethical issues in the design and conduct of social research.
Discipline specific
- Demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of philosophical debates surrounding the methodologies used in the discipline.
- Develop research questions and employ research methods appropriate to the discipline.
- Develop research proposals which take account of relevant ethical issues.
- Develop a critical understanding of the use and abuse of evidence for policy and practice as relevant to the discipline.
|
Written
|
Reading and References
Babbie, E. (2013) The Practice of Social Research [13th edition] Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Benton, T. and Craib, I., (2011) Philosophy of Social Science: the philosophical foundations of social thought, [2nd edition]., Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Bryman, (2016) Social Research Methods [5th edition], Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Clough, P and Nutbrown, C (2007) A Students Guide to Methodology [2nd edition]. London: Sage.
Creswell, J.W. (2014) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, [4th edition]., Los Angeles: Sage.
.
Gilbert, G.N. and Stoneman, P. (eds.) (2015) Researching Social Life [4th edition], London: Sage.
- May, T. (2011) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process [4th edition] Maidenhead: Open University Press/McGraw-Hill.
- Williams, M. (2006) Philosophical foundations of social research methods, London: Sage.
The Library has a number of interdisciplinary and applied journals relevant to this unit, including the International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Evidence and Policy.
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