Postgraduate Course: Advanced Issues in Sociological Research and Sociology Writing Workshop (SCIL11007)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 40 |
| Home subject area | Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course focuses on the articulation of the sociological perspective into the design of research projects, data collection and analysis. It draws on current research projects in the Sociology group, which are at the leading edge of the discipline, and entail the creation of new quantitative and qualitative data sets, as well as the analysis of secondary and archival data. Examples of current substantive research themes are national identity; society, governance and politics in a devolved Britain; family and intimate relationships; demographic change in Europe; organisational case studies; South Asian societies; sociology of financial markets; narrative and auto/biography; contemporary culture and scientific and technological knowledge.
Topics covered
During the Autumn Semester advanced techniques of research design, data collection and analysis are examined, using ongoing research projects to contextualise and demonstrate, for example, the use of statistical analysis techniques, case study, documentary and archival analysis and ethnography. Ethical and political considerations, and questions of epistemology and ontology, are set in the context of specific projects.
In the Spring Semester, the emphasis is on conceptual, logistical, ethical and practical issues in sociological research in relation to the students' own work. The focus is the transition from theoretical and empirical literature to formulation of original research.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2011/12 Full Year, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | Room 183, Old College | 2-5 | 14:00 - 15:50 | | | | | | Central | Lecture | Room 2.13, Geography Building | 6-11 | 14:00 - 15:50 | | | | | | Central | Lecture | Seminar room 6, CMB | SEMESTER 2-11 | | 16:10 - 18:00 | | | | | Central | Seminar | Seminar room 6, CMB | SEMESTER 1 WEEKS 2,8 | | | 14:00 - 15:50 | | | | Central | Seminar | Seminar room 4, CMB | SEMESTER 1, WEEK 5 | | | 14:00 - 15:50 | | | | Central | Seminar | Seminar room 6, CMB | SEMESTER 2, WEEKS 2,5,7 | | | 14:00 - 15:50 | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
o To engage students in debate with researchers who are generating and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and solving the epistemological, political, ethical and practical problems entailed.
o To further students' development as research sociologists, through training in the sociological formulation of research questions, design, methods and data analysis;
o To further students' knowledge of a range of data sources and techniques for their analysis;
o To improve students' ability to make effective oral presentations about their research plans.
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Assessment Information
Students submit notes on key readings; make an oral presentation to staff and postgraduates focusing specifically on research design related to their work; submit a written version of the presentation and prepare a poster outlining their research interests. This acts as preparatory work for the dissertation and, where relevant, the PhD. Students are also expected to complete a number of short, practical assignments for the Writing Workshop component of the course.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Liliana Riga
Tel: (0131 6)51 1853
Email: l.riga@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Cristyn King
Tel: (0131 6)51 3865
Email: cristyn.king@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:47 am
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