MY500 Half Unit
Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
This information is for the 2014/15 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Benjamin Lauderdale Col.8.10
Availability
The course is available to all research students.
Course content
Research design necessitates trade offs between the strengths and weaknesses of different feasible options. This course aims to introduce the broad range of design options and to foster an appreciation of these alternatives for particular research objectives. Drawing on a variety of examples from the social scientific literature, this course will explore design considerations and options across quantitative and qualitative research, including issues of data quality, analysis, reporting and reproducibility. At the end of the course, students will be able to read a wide variety of empirical social science with a critical and balanced perspective and will be better equipped to implement and make arguments defending the methods they use in their PhD theses.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT.
Indicative reading
Robson, Colin (2011, 3rd edition). Real World Research. London: John Wiley.
Assessment
Research proposal (100%) in the ST.
A research design proposal in preparation for the PhD thesis, not to exceed 5000 words. Due the first week of summer term.
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Total students 2013/14: 12
Average class size 2013/14: 6
Lecture capture used 2013/14: No
Value: Half Unit
