The Module comprises 10 three-hour sessions. The sessions will include lectures, case Studies, role-plays and discussions. The lectures are intended to provide you with essential information, to help you structure that information, to help you structure that information and to be a source of explanation. The activities are a vehicle for you to build on the knowledge gained in lectures, refine your analytical and oral communication skills and develop your practical skills.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students should be able to:
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Understand and explain different perspectives on the philosophy of social science
- Evaluate the appropriateness, strengths and limitations if different research strategies
- Carry out methodologically sound research projects
- Carry out basic quantitative data analysis
- Critically evaluate existing research
- Understand and explain different perspectives on ethics in social science research
Research Dissertation
Modular value: 60 credits
The Research Dissertation is the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods and their research skills in practice. Students are prepared for this task via the taught component of the dissertation (Research Methods, 10 credits out of the total 60 credits) which aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the concepts of research for academic dissertations, including the various research philosophies, the range of approaches to research design and the ethics of research. It aims to provide students with the ability to determine the appropriate use of quantitative and qualitative methods, and the capability to perform analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, successful students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The philosophy of social/ marketing research, and how to defend their philosophical standpoint;
- How to use appropriate literature and theoretical frameworks;
- Relevant qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
- Methods of qualitative and quantitative data collection;
- Ethical issues in social/ marketing research;
- How to relate theory to research findings, draw relevant conclusions, and consider the implications and limitations of their research.