Research Project Report weighted at 50%.
Dissertation Research Proposal weighted at 50%.

Research Project Report 3,000 words (50%) [LO 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]
Dissertation Research Proposal 3,000 words (50%) [LO 2, 6 and 7]

Key Information Set:
100% Coursework

Researching Social Life builds on introductory knowledge, training and skills received in L4 Discovering Research Methods. Students will be given step-by-step guidance and support so they acquire the necessary skills and competencies needed to understand key processes involved in the research process.
Students will learn how to design, carry out and write up a report on their own small scale research project and write a research proposal for their L6 dissertation.

Learners will receive tuition on how to conduct a thorough review of literature, develop and refine a research problem/question that arises from gaps in knowledge in the literature.

Students will learn and become competent at all aspects of designing a small-scale research project that will generate data that addresses their research question: including writing research questions, aims and objectives, sampling and recruitment.

Students will have the opportunity to revisit methods and research techniques encountered at L4 and will be introduced to several new research methods/techniques including elicitation techniques (sensory/auditory which are important for prompting memories and story-telling) and a course trip to a museum and art gallery in Manchester, which will give learners the experience of using archive material and visual analysis of pieces of art and propaganda posters. Students will be encouraged to reflect on which (if any) of these methods/techniques are appropriate to researching their topic of interest.

Students will be supported to recognise potential ethical issues and moral dilemmas that might arise in their research projects and learners will be encouraged to think through solutions that could minimise and manage such problems. Additionally, learners will receive guidance on completing and securing the appropriate level of ethical clearance for their research projects.

Students will receive guidance when they use various research techniques to generate data, support with the processes of understanding and analysing their data and writing up an account of their research project.

Semester 1 – learners will design, carry out and write up an account of a small-scale research project.

Semester 2 – students will be supported to undertake the necessary ground work to design a thorough research proposal for their L6 dissertation.

A flat lecture/workshop, computer lab/room large enough for independent and group work and a projector for powerpoint presentations.
Computer lab with computers with Microsoft office, powerpoint and analysis software packages e.g. SPSS and Nvivo.
The Blackboard VLE will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Field, A., (2009). Discovering Statistics using SPSS: and sex, and drugs and rock n roll. Third Edition. London. Sage
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., McNaughton Nicholls, C., and Ormston, R., (2014). Qualitative Research Practice. A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. London. Sage
Mason, J., (2002). Qualitative Researching. Second Edition. London. Sage
Bell, J. (2010) Doing Your Research Project. Open University
Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press
Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide. Maidenhead: Op. UP.
Gilbert, N. (2008) Researching Social Life. Second edition London: Sage.
Hammersley, M. (2011) Methodology: who needs it? Sage
May, T. (2011) Social Research,Issues, Methods and Process. Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill Education

1. Identify a research problem, develop a strategy to research and study it, undertake a research project.
Application

2. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical guidelines and an ability to practice research ethically.
Application
Enquiry
Reflection

3. Demonstrate competence in the application of at least one major research technique depending upon the project undertaken.
Analysis

4. Analyse, interpret and communicate the results of an independent research project student has undertaken.
Analysis
Communication
Enquiry

5. Critically reflect on merits and limitations of student’s research practice.
Enquiry
Reflection

6. Demonstrate capability of reviewing literature, identify gaps in body of knowledge and show how proposed area of study would contribute to gap in knowledge.
Enquiry
Communication

7. Demonstrate capacity to design a detailed research project by writing a proposal.
Application

Learning strategies employed on this module include:
Blended lectures and practical workshops (seminars). Lectures and practical exercises in workshops focus on:

Searching for and writing summaries of literature, preparing a literature review, identifying gaps in literature – and justifying own research project.

Drafting research questions, aims and objectives, formulating research strategy and project design, developing instruments (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide, observation schedule).

Identifying potential ethical and moral problems that might arise in an independent project and how to resolve, manage and mitigate such issues including support completing appropriate ethics form.

Designing samples, recruitment and guidance around fieldwork: generating and/or sourcing data.

Analytical treatment of quantitative and qualitative data (e.g. screen-cast lectures on SPSS and Nvivo with practical activities) and writing data chapters.

Reflection on research practice.

In preparation for each formal taught session, students will be invited to do required readings, relevant to each week’s topic. Doing these readings will give students a deeper understanding of research design, research practice, analysing data, presenting information in report.

Technologies such as Padlet will be used so students can unpack ideas for their independent research projects, receive peer feedback on ideas in order to strengthen these ideas. Personal e-journals on blackboard will be used for recording weekly reflections and charting progress on research projects during class. Students can revisit these journals when they write up their report and research proposal.

Practical library sessions led by subject librarian that include live demonstrations of using the library catalogue and online databases (e-journals, Lexis-Nexis) followed by practical exercises where students search for relevant material for their projects and where relevant, participate in library tours that support students to find specific books in main collection.

Participation in research methods ‘carousel’, auditory desert island discs, sensory ‘sniff’ activities and activities undertaken as part of a course trip to Manchester will give learners the chance to try out several research methods/techniques and reflect on the suitability of these methods/techniques for studying particular topics they are interested in.

Guest speakers including current L6 students will be invited to talk about their experiences of designing and carrying out a research projects and lead Q&A sessions with students

Several scheduled sessions devoted to peer-led knowledge exchange, collaboration and ‘swapshops’, tutor-led trouble shooting, writing clinics and assessment preparation.

Online and face-to-face support and guidance for student’s ongoing research work on request (e.g. discussion forums on blackboard and face-to-face support in classrooms) and students will be encouraged to seek individual guidance from tutor where required.

Students will be given both informal feedback during seminars and written feedback on their work.

Key Information Set:
16% scheduled learning and teaching activities comprising:
Lectures
Workshops
Formative assessments

84% guided independent learning activities comprising:
Preparation for scheduled sessions

Independent research
Guided reading and secondary research
Analysis and processing of research data
Writing up and communication of research results
Completion and submission of assessment tasks
.