Module Details
| Module Code: |
SOCI7002 |
| Title: |
Research Project
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Long Title:
|
Research Project
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| NFQ Level: |
Intermediate |
| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 ) |
| Field of Study: |
3120 - Sociology
|
| Module Description: |
The module seeks to equip students with advanced knowledge (both conceptual and practical) to undertake and sustain a substantial community research project.
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| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
Via goal-setting and prioritization of activities, apply effective project management skills to the research process |
| LO2 |
Critically draw on core empirical, interpretative, and critical research methodologies |
| LO3 |
Formulate a research question and construct a project to address it |
| LO4 |
Articulate issues pertaining to the rights of research subjects including confidentiality, attribution and copyright |
| LO5 |
Apply a reflective approach to the research process |
| Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
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| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
|
| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
|
| No requirements listed |
| Indicative Content |
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Project management skills
Goal setting in the research process: time management, organisational skills and academic writing skills.
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History of social theory
Functionalist, interpretative and critical paradigms/methodologies and their application to social research (particularly in community-based-settings).
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Data gathering techniques
Questionnaires (for example, structured and semi-structured); in-depth interviewing; participant observation: the question of social roles; access and ethics; library research skills; desk-based research.
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Ethical/legal issues
Copyright Act (1963), Data Protection Act (1988) and their implications for the researcher; feminist research and ethical research.
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Formulating a research question
Identifying a research question; reviewing the literature; practical versus abstract knowledge; hypothesis testing or generating. Constructing variables; developing a methodology.
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Writing a thesis
The format of thesis writing; report construction, identifying the various components of a report. Adopting an appropriate register; presentation of quantitative findings, presentation of interview material.
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Module Content & Assessment
|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% |
Assessments
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
|
The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
Research Lecture/Workshop |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Non Contact |
Independent Research |
Every Week |
10.00 |
10 |
| Total Hours |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
Research Lecture/Workshop |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Non Contact |
Independent Research |
Every Week |
10.00 |
10 |
| Total Hours |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
14.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
|
Module Resources
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| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
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Bailey, V.. (1995), Essential Research Skills, Collins Educational, Glasgow, [ISBN: 10: 0003223566/ISBN13: 978-0003223569].
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Sarantakos S.. (1998), Social Research, Macmillan Press, London, [ISBN: 1403943206].
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Creswell, J.W.. (2012), Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design - Choosing Among Five Approaches, 3rd. Sage, Thousand Oaks, California, p.472, [ISBN: 1412995302].
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Fabb, N. & Durant, A.. (1993), How to Write Essays and Dissertations - A Guide for English Literature Students, 2nd. Pearson Longman, London, p.173, [ISBN: 0582089778].
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
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Byrne, A. and Lentin, R.. (2000), (Re)searching Women: Feminist Research Methodologies in the Social Sciences in Ireland Dublin, IPA, Dublin, [ISBN: 1-902448-46-4].
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Oakley, A.. (1981), Doing Feminist Research, Routledge, London, [ISBN: 0415025478].
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Reason, P.W. and Bradbury, H. (eds). The Sage Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice, 2nd. Seven Oaks, California, [ISBN: 10:978-1-412905-45-9].
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Roller, M. N.. (2011), Qualitative Research Design: Selected Articles from Research Design Review, Ch. 1 - 5, Roller Market Research.
| | Supplementary Article/Paper Resources |
|---|
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Science Europe - Social Sciences
Committee. (2015), Ethical Protocols and Standards for
Research in Social Sciences Today.
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Lynch, Kathleen. (1999), Equality Studies, the Academy and the
Role of Research in Emancipatory Social
Change, The Economic and Social Review, Vol. 30 No. 1, pp. 41 - 69.
| | Other Resources |
|---|
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Website, European Foundation for the Improvement
of Living and Working Conditions. (2015), Various Topics,
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