A piece of work to comprise an essay based on a research method, including a rationale for the choice of research method.

For 150 hours, of which 36 will be class contact. Class contact will comprise of a mixture of lectures seminars and workshops. Video and other visual and aural materials are employed alongside computers and software, books, journals and electronic sources such as the Internet and CD-ROMs, etc.

114 hours are set aside for structured independent learning, which comprises preparatory reading and familiarisation with methodology. The use of computer software for handling quantitative and qualitative data. These learning strategies will be kept under review in the light of 'Building a Learning Community' initiatives.

Video playback
Audio tape machines
Computers
Internet
E-mail

Ball, M.S. & Smith, G.W.H. (1992) Analyzing Visual Data. Sage
Seale, C. (ed) (1998) Researching Society & Culture. Sage
Real, M. (1996) Exploring Media Culture. Sage
Atkinson, P. et al (eds) (2001) Handbook of Ethnography. Sage
Bryman, A. (2004) Social Research Methods. Oxford
McQueen, R & Knussen, L. (2002) Research Methods for Social Science. Prentice Hall
Gilbert, N. (2001) Researching Social Life. Sage

An overview of the range of research methods employed in the social & human sciences, qualitative, quantitative & modes of textual analysis. Familiarisation with a collection of classical case studies that illustrate the use of these methods. An introduction to the practical nature of formulating a research problem & conducting research, practice & process. Establishing a research problem, selecting a research method, research design, handling data, analysing & reporting findings, methodology & epistemology. Ethnography, participant observation, life history research, ethics, textual analysis, content analysis, conversation analysis, survey research, triangulation, grounded theory, unobtrusive measures.