MY4M1
Foundations of Social Research 1
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Alasdair Jones, Dr Chana Teeger, Dr Aliya Rao, Prof Patrick Sturgis, Dr Marion Lieutaud
MY400: Dr Alasdair Jones
MY421: Dr Chana Teeger (MT) and Dr Aliya Rao (LT)
MY451: Prof Patrick Sturgis (MT) and Dr Marion Lieutaud (LT)
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in European Studies (Research), MSc in International Political Economy (Research) and MSc in International Relations (Research). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course is not controlled access. If you register for a place and meet the prerequisites, if any, you are likely to be given a place.
Course content
This course is designed to give students a good introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods and to acquaint them with the strengths and limits of different methodologies. The course has three main components:
- MY451 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (MY451M in Michaelmas Term or MY451L in Lent Term) - this course is intended for students with no previous experience of quantitative methods or statistics. Students who have already studied statistics and data analysis should take MY4M2.
- MY400 Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
- MY421 Qualitative Research Methods (MY421M in Michaelmas Term or MY421L in Lent Term)
Teaching
See separate course outlines.
Formative coursework
See separate course outlines.
Indicative reading
See separate course outlines.
Assessment
Exam (33%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Project (33%, 3000 words) in the LT and ST.
Class participation (4%) and research proposal (10%) in the MT.
Research design (20%) in the ST.
Students registered on MY4M1 will be assessed as follows:
MY400: research proposal (1500 words due in MT, 10%), research design (4000 words due in ST, 20%), seminar participation (ongoing in MT, 4%)
MY421: project (3000 words due in LT if taking MY421M or in ST if taking MY421L, 33%)
MY451M/L: two-hour exam in Summer exam period (33%)
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Total students 2020/21: 17
Average class size 2020/21: 2
Controlled access 2020/21: No
Value: One Unit
