SEMESTER ONE:
• In teams (a maximum of 4) students will research and write a mini-research proposal (minimum 500 words) that outlines the design of a study of a topic that is to be measured quantitatively using a questionnaire (formative assessment-meets LO 1, 2, 3)
• Write a CV (a minimum of 500 words; formative assessment-meets LO 3)
• Write up a 2,500 word REPORT based on the small-scale quantitative research project, complete with analysis of findings from the questionnaire (summative weighted at 50% of final grade-meets LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

SEMESTER TWO:
A PORTFOLIO made up of two pieces of work weighted at 50%:
• Deliver a paired oral presentation (meets LO 1, 2, 3)
• Produce a 1,500 word reflective (written) report from the paired presentation (meets LO 1, 2, 3)

This module introduces students to a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and analytical techniques that researchers in sociology and criminology use to test social theory and study social life. Topics covered, include: questionnaires and capturing social attitudes, sampling and recruitment, content and discourse analysis, introduction to approaches in depth-interviewing, ethnography and participant observation, reflecting on ethical issues and the politics of research. This module gives students the opportunity to use these various methods and techniques and in doing so, students will gain an appreciation of the processes involved in generating sociological/criminological knowledge. Additionally, by studying this module, students will become effective at independent learning and develop crucial competencies and research skills (such as critical thinking, note taking, writing, presenting, avoiding plagiarism and referencing) which are required to pursue an undergraduate award in either ‘Sociology’, ‘Sociology, Criminology and Deviance’, or ‘Criminology, Terrorism and Deviance’. Furthermore, by completing particular activities and assignments on this module students will come to recognise that they have accrued research skills that can be transferred to the graduate labour market and are valued by prospective employers.

The 16% scheduled activities, 84% independent guided study:
16% scheduled activities comprise:
22 one-hour lectures /22 one-hour workshops

Lectures in semester one invites students to discover a variety of approaches in research methods, including secondary research, documents, official statistics, and a more substantive section of semester one is spent introducing students to the design, carrying out and analysing data generated from quantitative social surveys and capturing attitudes.
Lectures in semester two invites students to discover various qualitative research approaches, including depth interviewing, ethnography and participant observation, mixed methods and including ethical issues and the politics of research.

Students’ learning is consolidated through activities in the workshops which include a series of practical exercises designed to allow students to become familiar with different approaches in quantitative and qualitative research methods and analytical techniques, and allow them to practice and develop research skills

During the 84% independent-guided study students are given some specific tasks to complete which include:
engaging in a library treasure hunt with a sheet to complete, which introduces students to the staff in the library and a range of resources and facilities that the library offers – attuning them to vital study skills they will need for successful undergraduate study

In preparation for each workshop, students are invited to do required readings relevant to each week’s topic. Doing these readings will give students a deeper understanding of the topics, how particular sociologists/criminologists’ applied particular research methods to specific topics in order that students gain a richer and more detailed understanding of what kinds of knowledge using a particular research method can generate about everyday life.

A series of independent study sessions are built into semester one and two to facilitate group work and prepare for their assessments.
Individual tutorial support will be provided on request and students will be encouraged to seek individual tutorial guidance if required.
In addition to the three formative assessments, students will also be expected to submit two pieces of formative work

Students will be given both written feedback on their work and more informal feedback during lectures and workshops

A flat lecture/workshop computer lab/room large enough for group work and a computer and projector for PowerPoint presentations
Computer lab - with computers with Microsoft office, PowerPoint, SPSS software and accessibility software
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Bryman, A., (2012). Social Research Methods. Fourth edition. Oxford. Oxford University press (useful text for both semester one and two)
May, T., (2011). Social Research, Issues, Methods and Process. Fourth Edition. Buckingham. Open University Press (useful text for both semester one and two)
Corbetta, P., (2003). Social Research. Theory, Methods and Technique. Translated from the Italian – B Patrick. London. Sage (useful for both semester one and two)
Field, A., (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. Fourth Edition. London. Sage (useful for semester one)
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., McNaughton Nicholls, C., and Ormston, R., (2014). Qualitative Research Practice, A guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. London. Sage (useful text for the second half of the module – semester two)
Mason, J., (2002). Qualitative Researching. Second Edition. London. Sage. (useful text for semester two)

1.DEMONSTRATES STUDY AND RESEARCH SKILLS, APPROPRIATE TO A TOPIC IN SOCIOLOGY OR CRIMINOLOGY, INCLUDING USE OF SPSS
[Enquiry]

2.DEMONSTRATE TEAM WORK SKILLS INCLUDING THE DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF A SMALL-SCALE QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE RESEARCH PROJECT
[Problem Solving]

3.COMMUNICATE ORALLY AND IN WRITING IN A STYLE APPROPRIATE TO SOCIOLOGY OR CRIMINOLOGY
[Communication]

4.DEMONSTRATE FAMILIARITY WITH THE CAREERS AND PATHWAYS SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY GRADUATES PURSUE AND BE CAPABLE OF RESEARCHING POTENTIAL FUTURE CAREERS
[Reflection; Application]