SO3524: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

Course Overview

Sociologists use a range of methods and techniques to explore and test sociological theory. This module introduces many of these methods and techniques. It aims to ground students’ theoretical understanding of society through the practical analysis of a variety of data. It starts by introducing the varying philosophical starting points of research and goes on to provide foundation level critical analysis skills in the key quantitative and qualitative methods that sociologists have deployed to understand and ‘capture’ the social world.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Rhoda M. Wilkie

Qualification Prerequisites

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
SO2006 Sociology of Everyday Life I: the Embodied Self (Passed)
SO2509 Sociology of Everyday Life II: Global Issues in the 21st Century (Passed)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

MS3553 Research Methods for Business (Studied)
SO3522 Social Research Methods (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

The course covers the following areas:

Underlying philosophy of social science research in terms of what counts as knowledge.
Qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviewing and participant observation.
Quantitative research methods, such as sampling and questionnaire construction and design.
Elementary statistical analyses, such as graphical displays of data, measures of central tendency and variation, cross-tabulations and elaboration.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Online quizzes (weeks 1 & 4) x 5% each (10%)

Take home essay/exam 2000 words (40%)

Take home exam/assignment (50%)

Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2020/21):

2hr exam based on the qualitative section of the course (100%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Factual	Remember	ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.