(1) Access to Sociology/BLC Lab with the following software: word-processing, Netscape Internet access, SPSS and accessibility software such as Speaktext! and related packages for disabled students.
(2) Access to video equipment and tape recorders, and other equipment as required by the methodology employed.
(3) The Library.
(4) Access to these resources must be suitable for disabled students.
(5) BSA and University Ethical Guidelines

Bell, J. (1999, 3rd ed) 'Doing Your Research Project', Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.
Gilbert, N. (1996) 'Researching Social Life', Sage.
Hall, D. & Hall, I. (1996) 'Project Work in the Community', Macmillan.
Mason, J. (1996) 'Qualitative Researching', Sage.

At the end of their second years, students considering undertaking the Dissertation will receive whole group guidance on how to select and seek advice and guidance on topic selection, and the teaching and learning methods and assessment associated with the module. Students are advised to choose projects related to either their chosen career and/or one of their other second or third year modules.

Students who have not taken a research module in their second years will be advised to take a library-based dissertation.

Before the end of their second years, students will be expected to register their dissertation topic with the Dissertation Tutor. This involves the submission of a Dissertation Topic Registration Form specifying a working title, an abstract of the area for analysis, the aims of the project, proposed methodology and relevant theoretical perspectives and concepts, a provisional bibliography and a dissertation tutor. In negotiation with the supervisor approached, students are then given more detailed guidance and advice on their project before submitting their Dissertation Topic Registration Form. Students will be reminded that they should expect supervisors to be experts in project supervision, not necessarily in the topic selected.

Students will undertake an individual research project selected and completed with the guidance of a personal supervisor. Projects may be based upon library and Internet resources, content analysis or fieldwork. The research process will involve the submission of an interim report on the progress of the project, detailing aims and objectives, an overview of relevant literature, the methodology and research instruments to be employed (where fieldwork is involved) and a bibliography. On completion of the module, students will submit a completed research project. This will comprise a scholarly and reflexive account of the research problems identified in the report.

A research report of 1,500 words for submission late in the first term [Learning Outcomes 1, 5]
A Dissertation or Long Essay of 8,500 words [Learning Outcomes 1-5]