Module Information

Module Identifier

GS21220

Module Title

Sociological Research in the 'Field'

Academic Year

2025/2026

Co-ordinator

Dr Yvonne Ehrstein

Semester

Semester 2

Co-Requisite

GS20620 This module builds on the sociological knowledge and skills gained in the first semester research methods module (GS20620), where they learn about different sociological research methodologies/data analysis, their epistemological underpinnings and ethics.

Reading List

View example reading list on Aspire

Course Delivery

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Individual write-up of group project 2500 Words	70%
Semester Assessment	Reflective report on research process (individual) 1500 Words	30%
Supplementary Assessment	Individual write-up of group project 2500 Words	70%
Supplementary Assessment	Reflective report on research process (individual) 1500 Words	30%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Work cooperatively in a group to realise a sociological research project.

Analyse and write a research report to appropriately disseminate the findings of sociological research.

Demonstrate an appreciation of the practical and intellectual components of undertaking primary sociological research.

Evaluate, in detail, the performance of self and others in a group work context and identify resulting development needs.

Brief description

This module provides students with first-hand involvement in carrying out a small-scale empirical research project. Working in small groups, students will execute a pre-defined research project. Following some key teaching sessions, students will take part in an intensive supervised data collection week, collecting data, and analysing it collectively. Then write up a research individual research report and reflective account. Students will gain valuable experience in group data collection, write up and reflections on the sociological research process, which will form essential learning for them to successfully complete their individual dissertations in sociology.

Content

The module objectives will be delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. This will include a week-long intensive supervised data collection period. The topics that will be covered include:

• Developing ethics materials
• Designing a research instrument
• Challenges and dilemmas of collecting data in the ‘field’
• Reflexivity and reflective writing
• Recruitment problem solving
• Ethical dilemmas in data collection
• Working effectively in groups

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Adaptability and resilience	Overcoming the practical challenges of doing sociological research and not losing sight of the research aims.
Creative Problem Solving	Problem solving is a key skill in research data collection. Often research and group work does not go to plan, so students need to find innovative solutions to issues like recruitment.
Critical and analytical thinking	Critical thinking is a key sociological skill and something with is required when analysing data, and interpreting sociological literature.
Professional communication	Students will learn how to professionally communicate the results of sociological research, via formal report writing skills.
Reflection	Students will need to be reflexive about their role in the data collection process, write up and also reflect on their learning in relation to doing sociological research.
Subject Specific Skills	This module will deliver subject specific skills in sociological research aim to enhance their dissertation research project and make our graduates employable in a number of complementary career fields.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5