SC203-5-AU-CO:
Researching the Real World: Qualitative Approaches to Studying Crime and Society
2024/25
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 10 January 2025
15
10 May 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC831, SC832
BA LL36 Social Anthropology,
BA LL3P Social Anthropology (Including Year Abroad),
BA LL6P Social Anthropology (Including Placement Year),
BA LL37 Social Anthropology with Human Rights,
BA LL38 Social Anthropology with Human Rights (Including Year Abroad),
BA LL39 Social Anthropology with Human Rights (Including Placement Year)
This module introduces students to some of the methods commonly used in sociological research for the collection and analysis of qualitative data. In classes they will also be encouraged to think about and discuss the issues introduced in the lectures and learn some practical skills in qualitative data collection.
The aims of this module are:
- To develop skills that are transferable to their undergraduate project, the labour market, or postgraduate work.
- To appreciate more how sociologists go about applying their skills and knowledge to the empirical and theoretical investigation of issues they study.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the principles underlying qualitative approaches to sociology
- Locate and collect qualitative data.
- Develop research questions and choose an appropriate methodology to explore them
- Appreciate ethical issues affecting research in general, and potentially affecting your own research
- Analyse qualitative data in a systematic and transparent way.
Weekly topics will be detailed in the Module Outline posted on Moodle.
This module will be delivered via a mix of participatory lectures(1 hour) and smaller class groups (1 hour) each week, where students will practice different research methods.
The module outline includes a statement about respect for all being a necessary condition of classroom engagement. Class teachers are encouraged to invite students to share their preferred pronouns if they wish to do so. All learning materials are available online, including lectures slides, reading materials, and module information.
-
-
-
-
Gibbs, G. (2018)
Analyzing qualitative data. 2nd edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at:
https://methods.sagepub.com/book/analyzing-qualitative-data-2e.
-
-
Ritchie, J.
et al. (2014)
Qualitative research practice: a guide for social science students and researchers. Second 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/368936.
-
De Vries, R. (2019)
Critical statistics: seeing beyond the headlines. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6234773.
-
-
-
SAGE Research Methods (no date). SAGE Publishing Ltd. Available at:
https://methods.sagepub.com/.
-
L. Given (2008) ‘Look for key concept: Research Question - Go to Entries A-Z tab and scroll down to “Research Question” (information is 2 pages long)’, in
The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, [Calif.]: SAGE. Available at:
https://methods-sagepub-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/reference/sage-encyc-qualitative-research-methods.
-
-
V. Braun & V. Clarke (2013) ‘Chapter 4: Interactive Data Collection 1: Interviews.’, in
Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. London: SAGE. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/268645.
-
Garton, S. and Copland, F. (2010) ‘“I like this interview; I get cakes and cats!”: the effect of prior relationships on interview talk’,
Qualitative Research, 10(5), pp. 533–551. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794110375231.
-
Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P. (2019)
Ethnography: principles in practice. Fourth edition. New York: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=2102503.
-
Goffman, A. (2009) ‘On the Run: Wanted Men in a Philadelphia Ghetto’,
American Sociological Review, 74(3), pp. 339–357. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/000312240907400301.
-
Jackson, E. (2020) ‘Bowling Together? Practices of Belonging and Becoming in a London Ten-Pin Bowling League’,
Sociology, 54(3), pp. 518–533. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038519892528.
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 |
Moodle Quiz - week 7 |
|
10% |
Coursework |
Moodle Quiz - Week 10 |
|
10% |
Coursework |
Research Topic Summary |
04/11/2024 |
10% |
Coursework |
Qualitative Research Report |
16/01/2025 |
70% |
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Alejandra Diaz De Leon, email: alejandra.diazdeleon@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Alejandra Diaz De Leon
Email: socugrad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Paul Gilbert
University of Sussex
Senior Lecturer in International Development
Available via Moodle
Of 10 hours, 10 (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.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.