In this module you will be given the opportunity to apply your theoretical and methodological understandings of sociology to a research problem in either sociological literature or the social field. This will entail:
a. the definition of a research problem,
b. the creation of research questions or a hypothesis,
c. the design of a research solution,
d. the completion of a literature review,
e. a methodological statement,
f. the application of an appropriate method to your research object,
g. an appropriate form of data analysis and,
h. the construction of relevant conclusions.
If you choose this module you will work with a supervisor on a project of your own choosing. Upon choosing this module you will be asked to submit a working title to the module tutor who will then assign you a tutor in order to negotiate a final title and dissertation plan. When this has been agreed, you will be able to start work on your project in consultation with your supervisor. Your supervisor will be available to see you throughout the duration of your project in timetabled supervisory slots.
The dissertation module is an important component of the sociology programme. It provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate that you can define, design, and execute your own research in the field and show prospective employers in a variety of fields that you are a skilled researcher capable of developing research solutions and communicating these effectively. This module is similarly appropriate if you want to remain in education because it will enable you to practice and hone the kinds of independent research skills that are essential in post-graduate education.
What our students have said about their projects:
Best advice is to start work early, I found my dissertation was fun (to an extent) to do as I did some work before Christmas so I didn&©t leave it to the last minute.
The dissertation pack kept me on target, especially the time plan.
Going with what you enjoy. Sociology&©s well interesting.
Clear and useful advice one to one with tutors on how to improve work.
I emailed my dissertation supervisor weekly, gave him countless drafts to read and saw him about once every two weeks.
He was always approachable and gave good constructive criticism.
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/soc-30028/lists
- To provide students with an opportunity to carry out a piece of independent research in sociology
- To allow students to apply methods and theory to a social problem
- To enable students to demonstrate the ability to conduct a thorough literature review of a particular field in sociology
- To allow students to design a solution to a particular research problem
- To enable students to work independently on a significant piece of work and demonstrate their ability to manage a research project
- generate a research problem in the area of sociology on the basis of their knowledge of the field
- design a piece of research in relation to a social problem employing relevant methodological strategies
- construct a literature review of a field of sociology relating to an identified social problem
- construct theoretical positions and conclusions on the basis of reading sources against each other in a survey of a particular field of sociology
- generate a suitable method of study on the basis of a chosen methodology
- apply method to a social problem in order to produce an intervention in the field
- apply theoretical perspectives to data in order to generate conclusions
100 hours library study
100 hours research
80 hours write up
TOTAL 300 HOURS
Students write an 8,000-10,000 thesis on a topic negotiated with a supervisor. This may either be based in library research or field work approved in the School ethics approval process.
This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.