The Practice of Social Research - SOCI7480

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Module delivery information

Location Term Level1 Credits (ECTS)2 Current Convenor3 2024 to 2025
Canterbury
Autumn to Spring Terms 6 30 (15) Raluca Popp checkmark-circle

Overview

This module will involve students undertaking quantitative research in a real world setting, while simultaneously reflecting on the process of undertaking real-life quantitative research (through a log), culminating in an assessed report on their work. This real world setting can be of the form of an individual research project, working in a support role with an academic or within a placement organisation. Students will receive support by a supervisor and receive lectures covering such topics as:

- Turning an organisation's ideas into a viable research project;
- Good practice in undertaking quantitative research projects (e.g. data security, data management, replicability);
- Ethics in applied quantitative research (certainty/uncertainty, power, and 'usefulness');
- Reflecting on research practice (linked to the assessments below).

Details

Contact hours

Total contact hours: 10
Private study hours: 200 hours research placement, 90 hours private study
Total study hours: 300

Availability

Compulsory in any course that includes 'with Quantitative Research')

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods
Coursework – Research report (8000 Words) –70% *
Coursework -problem sets –30%

* Students must pass the 'Research report' to pass the module overall.

Reassessment methods
Reassessment Instrument: 100% coursework

Indicative reading

Cook, T., & Campbell, D. (1979) Quasi-experimentation: Design and analysis issues for field settings. Rand McNally College Publications
Robson, C and McCartan, K (2016), Real-World Research, 4th edition. Wiley.
Scott Long, J (2009), The Workflow of Data Analysis Using Stata. Stata Press.
Stevens, A (2011), 'Telling Policy Stories: An Ethnographic Study of the Use of Evidence in Policy-making in the UK'. Journal of Social Policy, 40:237-255. DOI: 10.1017/S0047279410000723

See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Critically understand the difference between quantitative research in theory and quantitative research in practice.
8.2 Critically understand the pressures on quantitative analysts in real-life-settings, such as producing quick results, data protection, pressures for certainty and/or simplicity, or to produce 'useful' results.
8.3 Conduct quantitative research in an applied setting
8.4 Report on quantitative analyses, to both technical and non-technical audiences.
8.5 Demonstrate an ability to reflect on their own position as a quantitative analyst in an applied setting.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Demonstrate communication and information presentation skills.
9.2 Conduct research to meet the needs of a research project, including team working with those who do not have technical research skills.
9.3 Demonstrate problem-solving skills and adaptability to changing situations.
9.4 Self-appraise and reflect on practice.

Notes

  1. Credit level 6. Higher level module usually taken in Stage 3 of an undergraduate degree.
  2. ECTS credits are recognised throughout the EU and allow you to transfer credit easily from one university to another.
  3. The named convenor is the convenor for the current academic session.
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