Module Details

Module Code: SOCI8002
Title: Social Research Methods
Long Title: Social Research Methods
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3120 - Sociology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module covers the development of research including research design, analysis and interpretation of data
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Design research tool/s to address a social issue with relevance to social care.
LO2 Analyse and evaluate qualitative data to address the research statement and questions.
LO3 Analyse and evaluate quantitative data to address the research problem and questions
LO4 Apply different methods of data collection in both quantitative and qualitative approaches
LO5 Understand the sampling process and the importance of population representativeness
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).
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.
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
Research appraisal
Indicators of research quality. Reliability, validity, generalisability. Social care research. Applying research to practice. Social policy research.
Sampling methods, procedures and data Collection.
Understanding of research populations and sampling procedures and how to minimize sampling error. Development of research tools based on research topic, problem and questions. They typically include questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and case studies.
Quantitative data analysis and use of Statistical Package Software.
Measures of association and significance in difference. Use of software and online sources for research tool development and SPSS for tabulation, correlation, statistical & graphical interpretation. Descriptive and some Inferential Statistics. Null Hypothesis testing.Reliability checks.
Qualitative data analysis and interpretation
Thematic analysis.Content analysis. Secondary data. Ethnographic data. Cross-validation. Non-verbal measures. Projective techniques.
Research Presentation
How to structure and write-up a research study/dissertation. Drawing recommendations and policy/practice implications from research findings. Evaluation of competing answers to research questions.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Design, and appraise Quantitative research instrument
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Assessment Description
Design, and appraise Qualitative research instrument
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 Advanced Research Skills and Methods Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Application of Quantitative and Qualitative Data collection and analysis Software Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading and research exercises Every Week 3.50 3.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.50
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Advanced Research Skills and Methods Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Application of Quantitative and Qualitative Data collection and analysis Software Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading and research exercises Every Week 3.50 3.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Alan Bryman. (2016), Social Research Methods, 5th ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, p.784, [ISBN: 9780199689453].
  • Andy Field,. (2018), Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics, 5th. SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781526419521].
  • Judith Greene and Manuela d'Oliveira. (2006), Learning to use statistical tests in psychology, Open University Press,, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335216803].
  • David Silverman,. (2015), Interpreting Qualitative Data, 5th. SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781446295434].
  • Allan A. Glatthorn. (1998), Writing the winning dissertation, Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, Calif., [ISBN: 0803966784].
  • Nicholas Walliman,. (2011), Your Research Project: Designing and Planning Your Work, Third. Sage, London, [ISBN: 9781849204620].
  • Nicholas Walliman, Mrs Jane Appleton,. (2009), Your Undergraduate Dissertation in Health and Social Care, Sage, London, [ISBN: 9781847870704].
  • Lyn Richards.. (2015), Handling qualitative data, 3rd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks, Calif;, p.xxiv, 236 :, [ISBN: 9781446276068].
  • Peter Levin. (2005), Excellent dissertations!, Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335218226].
  • Julie Pallant.. (2016), SPSS survival manual, 6th. McGraw Hill, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335261543].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Matthew B. Miles, A. Michael Huberman. (1994), Qualitative data analysis, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, [ISBN: 0 8039 5540 5].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HSOCC_8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Work 1 Mandatory