SC905-7-AP-CO:
Sociological Research Design
2024/25
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn & Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 21 March 2025
20
07 February 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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
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.
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.
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 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.
This module will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour seminar each week.
Attendance in person is expected.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non-essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Reflexive positionality exercise |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Methodology Review |
|
35% |
| Coursework |
Research proposal |
|
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Isabel Crowhurst, email: icrow@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Isabel Crowhurst
socpgtad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 113 hours, 58 (51.3%) hours available to students:
55 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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