SOC-30028 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2024/25

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 might encompass the following: 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.
On this module, you will work with a supervisor on a project of your own choosing. You are encouraged to meet with your supervisor at least three times per semester to discuss your developing project and to get feedback on draft chapters of your dissertation.
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 further develop the kinds of independent research skills that are essential in postgraduate education.
Projects can be based on empirical data that you have collected or be library based. During the module, you will participate in workshops focussed on the study skill development. Students undertaking fieldwork will also attend a workshop focussed on the ethics of empirical research and will get guidance on how to approach the ethical review process.

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

Intended Learning Outcomes

generate a research problem in the area of sociology on the basis of their knowledge of the field: 1,2
construct a literature review of a field of sociology relating to an identified social problem: 1,2
construct theoretical positions and conclusions on the basis of reading sources against each other in a survey of a particular field of sociology: 1,2
generate a suitable method of study on the basis of a chosen methodology: 2
apply method to a social problem in order to produce an intervention in the field: 2
apply theoretical perspectives to data in order to generate conclusions: 2
design a piece of research in relation to a social problem employing relevant methodological strategies: 2

Study hours

Active Learning:
20 hours taught sessions, group/individual supervision
40 hours online directed activities
Independent Study:
80 hours library study
80 hours research
80 hours write up

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment