Course handbook with further bibliographical guidance
Library electronic access with guidance and bibliographical search guidance.

Epistemologies and methods in social science;
Principles of the major intellectual traditions in qualitative and quantitative research (e.g. positivist; hermeneutic; constructivist);
Legal and ethical basis of precautionary and protective aspects of research practice with vulnerable subjects;
Implications of ethical requirements for research design.

The assignment will outline a rationale for a research design, including identification of methods, ethical safeguards and the benefits of the planned project to users and participants. The rationale should be related to an area of policy and practice examined in Module 1 (BSB20187-M).

Punch, K.F. (2005) Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. London: Sage.
Ramcharan, P & Cutcliffe, J (2001) Judging the ethics of qualitative research: considering the 'ethics as process' model, Health and Social Care in the Community, 9, 6, 358-366.
BERA (2004) Revised Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research. www.bera.ac.uk

Tutorials and seminars. Oral/written-formative feedback. Use of Blackboard VLE.