| Unit name | Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SPS) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0013 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Demi Patsios |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
When conducting policy and practice research, there are different philosophies, with their own assumptions and worldviews, that inform your decisions on selecting a method or design for your inquiry. Equally important, a well-planned research design helps ensure that your data collection method(s) match your research aims and objectives, that you collect high-quality and reliable or trustworthy data, and that you use the right kind of analysis to answer your research questions and/or test your hypotheses. Furthermore, different methods of data collection and analysis require that you demonstrate an appreciation of the practical and ethical considerations of carrying out your research. The unit aims to provide you with foundation knowledge and skills for the design of research in the social sciences, including an appreciation of philosophical, practical and ethical issues. You will be asked to critically consider how these topics apply and could be developed within your own field of policy or practice research.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit forms the foundation to the Policy Research (MSc) and Social Work Research (MSc) programmes. It provides knowledge of the key elements of the research process as it relates to policy, practice and to end ‘users’ of research, and of the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. It also provides understanding of the broader context in which policy is developed and how to evaluate the effectiveness of policy in relation to practice and to end ‘users’ of policy. Finally, it provides awareness and guidance on the ethical issues to be addressed when undertaking policy and practice research.
An overview of content
The unit starts by presenting an overview of the ‘state’ and of the ‘process’ of policymaking and implementation, including the role of research ‘for policy’ and ‘of policy’. It also provides you with a conceptual model (the ‘research onion’) for designing your research methodology, which delineates the main philosophy, approaches to theory development, methods and strategies, time horizons and techniques and procedures of data collection and analysis. The unit goes on to ‘peel the layers’ of the conceptual model commencing with the philosophical foundations of conducting policy and practice research through discussions about ontology and epistemology. The use of research evidence in the development of policy and practice is critically appraised, as are the different ways to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of social sciences research is covered, with examples provided from policy and practice research. The unit then pivots to more concrete elements of the research process, such as developing research questions (or hypotheses) and choosing appropriate research designs and methods (including ‘mixed’ methods). The unit culminates with a group presentation of a research proposal in a specific area of policy or practice research.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will be able to demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of philosophical debates surrounding the methodologies used in policy or practice research. You will be able to create research questions and choose research methods appropriate to policy or practice research. You will learn the requirements for developing research proposals, which take account of both the practical considerations of carrying out social sciences research and relevant ethical issues. The unit will give you the confidence to select an appropriate research design and methodology to be applied in your own research while having a critical appreciation of the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative (or ‘mixed’) methods. You will also develop a critical understanding of the use and misuse of evidence for policy and practice as relevant to the discipline. The unit will require you to reflect on any personal or ethical issues raised by your engagement in social sciences research. The unit will also enhance your group work and presentation skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through face-to-face lectures and workshops. Student learning is supported via the online learning environment platform, where lecture materials and workshop tasks are listed. Additional readings and asynchronous materials are provided. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study, reading, and group working. The combination of face-to-face teaching and self-directed individual and group-based learning (via the group presentation) aligns with the learning outcomes of the unit as well as how students will, personally, be different as a result of taking this unit.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported by two formative elements on this unit:
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (3000 word maximum) 100%
The assessment addresses all learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment, or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0013).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
