The aim of this module is primarily to provide a general introduction to the range of quantitative and qualitative research methods which are used in sociological research. Secondly, the course introduces students to the underlying epistemological, conceptual and ethical dimensions of the research process. In addition, the course establishes the importance of understanding social research in the context of some key debates in contemporary sociology. The primary objective is to provide students with basic skills in the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques of research, and experience in collecting, handling, organising and analysing data of their choice.

This module enables students to gain an understanding of the principles of social research and related philosophical debates from a generic social science perspective. The module addresses the ethical and legal dimensions of, and power relationships within, the research process. Students learn to appreciate the variety of methodological techniques, how to judge which are appropriate to particular research problems and how to identify the merits and limitations of different types of research design, including issues of sampling, sampling error, objectivity, values and validity. They are introduced to basic statistics, SPSS, and Qualitative Techniques in Context and thus provided with a foundation for future advanced methods modules. This module covers: conceptualisation and operationalisation in research design; an introduction to qualitative techniques; analysing qualitative data; surveys and sampling; descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (SPSS); political and ethical issues in social research; presenting and dissemination research; experimental and documentary methods in social research.

Successful completion of the module will demonstrate that students are able to: Access the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods Critically analyse existing research in terms of design and methodology Construct an answerable research question Select the appropriate research design for the research problem they face Conduct basic descriptive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data Design, carry our and write up a simple research project.

Successful completion of the module will demonstrate that students are able to: To demonstrate an awareness of the need to undertake research that is ethically sound.

N/A