University of Essex

SC905-7-AP-CO:
Sociological Research Design

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Sociology and Criminology

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn & Spring

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 21 March 2025

Credits: 20

Last updated: 27 September 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

MA NP5312 Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA NP5324 Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA NP53MO Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA M90012 Criminology,
MA M90024 Criminology,
MSC L30812 Criminology and Socio-Legal Research,
MSC L30824 Criminology and Socio-Legal Research,
MA MF9112 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MA MF9124 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MSC MF9012 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MSC MF9024 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MA L30112 Sociological Research Methods,
MA L30124 Sociological Research Methods,
MA L30012 Sociology,
MA L30024 Sociology,
MA L31112 Migration Studies,
MA L31124 Migration Studies,
MA L31812 Sociology and Criminology,
MA L31824 Sociology and Criminology,
MPHDML9048 Criminology,
PHD ML9048 Criminology,
MPHDB79748 Health Studies,
PHD B79748 Health Studies,
MPHDL30048 Sociology,
PHD L30048 Sociology

Module description

This is a foundation module on sociological research for postgraduate students. It introduces the relationship between contemporary theory and empirical inquiry and emphasises the research design process from identifying research questions to choosing appropriate methodology and methods.

This module examines some key assumptions and ideological underpinnings of social research, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches and their uses in a variety of design contexts. It is intended to provide students with a critical understanding of the process and complexity of doing research, and facilitate the design of their own social research also in preparation for their Master's dissertation.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To explore different theoretical and methodological approaches in social research.

To provide students with an understanding of the complexities of designing a coherent social research project.

To equip students with the skill to critically review the methodological strategies used by other social researchers.

To equip students with the ability to formulate researchable questions and design a feasible and appropriate research strategy.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

Gain a solid understanding of the key language and components of social research.

Develop reflexive skills and being able to historically situate oneself vis-à-vis the chosen research topic.

Write a coherent, feasible, sociologically relevant, and sound research proposal.

Module information

Module topic list

Autumn term

Situating Sociological Enquiry.

Ways of Knowing: Ontology, Epistemology and Positionality.

Concepts, Theory and Hypothesis.

Types, Forms and Sources of Data I.

Types, Forms and Sources of Data II.

Methodology and Methods.

Sampling and Access.

Research Ethics I.

Research Ethics II: Focus on Digital Research.

Spring term

Identifying your research problem and formulating your research question.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

One 2-hour seminar each week.

Attendance in person is expected.

Bibliography

Luker, K. (2008) *Salsa dancing into the social sciences: research in an age of info-glut. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=282535.
Brown, L. and Strega, S. (eds) (2015) Research as Resistance. 2nd Revised edition. Brown Bear Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6282047.
Rallis, S.F. and Rossman, G.B. (2012) The research journey: introduction to inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=445714.
Seale, C. (ed.) (2018) Researching society and culture. 4th edition. London: Sage. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/235381.
Grix, J. (2019) Foundations of research. 3rd edition. London: Red Globe Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1409314.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Reflexive positionality exercise	13/11/2024	15%
Coursework	Methodology Review	11/12/2024	35%
Coursework	Research proposal	23/04/2025	50%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Isabel Crowhurst, email: icrow@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Isabel Crowhurst, Dr Linsey McGoey, Dr Michael Bailey

Contact details: socpgtad@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Prof Benjamin Bradford

Institution: University College London

Academic role: Professor

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 12 hours, 12 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Sociology and Criminology

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Module Directory

SC905-7-AP-CO:Sociological Research Design