麻豆传媒

| Catalogues for 2003/04 | for UGs | for PGs

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2003/04

XX50133: Short research apprenticeship project (MRes)

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: To support students, within an active research community, in identifying and investigating their own original research questions on a modest scale.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the unit, the students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* understand the basic principles of research design and appreciate alternative approaches to research;
* understand the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques.
Intellectual skills:
* define researchable problems and formulate questions and hypotheses;
* understand the relationships between, and the rationale for, particular qualitative and quantitative research methods and be able to select appropriate strategies for research and/or evaluation;
* understand and apply concepts of generalisability, validity, reliability and replicability.
Professional practice skills:
* develop, apply, test and hone on a modest scale the professional practice skills taught in the research methods units of the programme, depending on the particular nature of their 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship;
* understand issues posed by social research in relation to ethics, confidentiality and legality;
* have a good command of language skills where appropriate.
Transferable/Key
Skills:
* develop, apply, test and hone on a modest scale some of the transferable/key skills taught in the research methods units of the programme, depending on the particular nature of their 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship Project.
Content: Any area of social science research for which an adequate level of supervision can be offered. The nature of the Short 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship Project is that students 'learn-by-doing', and so they will be expected to demonstrate their ability to define a research question, design and conduct primary research. Although the research project will be carried out on a mopdets scale, students are required to produce a research report that conforms to acceptable standards of presentation.

XX50134: Quantitative methods 1: introduction to quantitative methods

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX100

Requisites:

Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: This is a foundation course in quantitative methods for postgraduate students. It aims to provide a critical overview of quantitative methods and then provides training in statistical analysis both in the classroom and in the computer lab, applying SPSS. By the end of the unit, students will be equipped with the design and statistical skills to contribute to research projects.
Objectives: By the end of the course the students should:
Knowledge and understanding:
* Be aware of the main quantitative methods used, focusing on large-scale surveys, secondary analysis of data and large-scale experimental design
* Distinguish between different levels of data
* Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics
* Understand sampling error and the assumptions that underlie different statistical techniques.
Intellectual skills:
* Understand the relationships between, and the rationale for, qualitative and quantitative research methods
* Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative methods
* Appreciate cross-cultural issues in quantitative research
* Be able to define a researchable problem and formulate research questions and hypotheses
* Be able to design a short questionnaire
* Be able to debate the appropriateness of different fieldwork methods
* Understand the role of sampling and the concepts of generalisability, validity and reliability
* Be able to carry out simple descriptive analysis including measures of central tendency and variability
* Describe the stages of hypothesis testing
* Select an appropriate statistical test
* Interpret cross-tabulations and correlations
* Interpet the results from chi square tests
* Be able to generate basic descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Professional practice skills
* Understand ethical issues in relation to quantitative research
* Acquire computing skills.
Content: The course will take a critical look at quantitative methods in general including survey methods, experimental design and official statistics. The potential links between quantitative and qualitative methods will be explored. It will discuss issues of generalisability, sampling, fieldwork methods, data collection, validity and reliability. Students will also gain a grounding in descriptive and inferential statistics and they will also be introduced to SPSS for Windows. Guest speakers from different disciplinary backgrounds will provide their own perspectives on quantitative methods.

XX50135: Quantitative methods 2

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take XX50134

Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: This is an intermediate/advanced course on statistical analysis for postgraduate students following on from Quantitative Methods 1. The aim of the course is to provide students with a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of statistical analysis alongside a detailed knowledge of particular statistical techniques. By the end, the unit will equip students with the skills to contribute to research projects.
Objectives: By the end of the course the students should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding:
* Understand the basic principles of statistical analysisIntellectual skills
* Appreciate the strengths and weakness of statistical inquiry
* Interpet the results from chi square tests, t-tests and ANOVAs
* Be able to use, model and interpret correlation, simple linear regression and multiple regression analyses
* Be able to use one or more of a range of advanced statistical techniques including: regression analyses, time series, path analysis, cluster analysis, factor analysis
* Be able to use SPSS to carry out statistical analysis.
Professional practice skills:
* Acquire computing skills.
Content: The course will provide a critical appreciation of statistical analysis as well as covering issues of intermediate and advanced statistical techniques of data analysis. Students will have instruction in both a classroom and a computer lab to build on their prior knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics. They will use SPSS for windows to apply the techniques they learn in the classroom to analyse data.

XX50136: Qualitative methods 1

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims & Learning Outcomes: Aims: To equip students with an understanding of the rationale for and appropriate use of qualitative methods in social research, and the skills to conduct qualitative research.
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding:
* Appreciate the rationale for when to use qualitative methods, and where relevant the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods;
* Understand the epistemological assumptions that underpin qualitative methodology.
Intellectual skills:
* Be able to define researchable problems using qualitative methods;
* Be able to select appropriate qualitative methods for research questions;
* Understand how issues of measurement, validity, reliability and replicability are addressed within qualitative methods;
* Be able to conduct research using qualitative methods, including the use of recording techniques;
* Know how to approach the analysis of qualitative data;
* Recognise how tools for research are developed in response to a particular research question;
* Recognise the cultural context of the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of qualitative material and the implications of this for formulating research designs.
Skills: See above.
Content: The unit will comprise
1. Core lecture on issues in qualitative research, such as the epistemological underpinnings of qualitative approaches, hermeneutic and semiotic questions, and key questions of context and culture.
2. Lectures that combine traditional lecturing with workshop activities to provide theoretical understanding and practical experience of methods of qualitative research in terms of collecting and eliciting data, and observational and textual data analysis: interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, participatory research, action research, grounded theory and discourse analysis.
3. Introduction to computer aided qualitative analysis using Nvivo.
4. Seminars in which students discuss set articles related to each lecture topic. Mres students only.

XX50137: Long research apprenticeship project (MRes)

Credits: 15

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: To support students, within an active research community, in identifying and investigating their own original research questions on a fairly substantial scale.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the unit, the students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* understand principles of research design and appreciate alternative approaches to research;
* understand the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques.
Intellectual skills:
* define researchable problems and formulate questions and hypotheses;
* understand the relationships between, and the rationale for, particular qualitative and quantitative research methods and be able to select appropriate strategies for research and/or evaluation;
* understand and apply concepts of generalisability, validity, reliability and replicability.
Professional practice skills:
* develop, apply, test and hone professional practice skills taught in the research methods units of the programme, depending on the particular nature of their 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship;
* understand issues posed by social research in relation to ethics, confidentiality and legality;
* have a good command of language skills where appropriate.
Transferable/Key Skills:
* develop, apply, test and hone some of the transferable/key skills taught in the research methods units of the programme, depending on the particular nature of their 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship Project.
Content: Any area of social science research for which an adequate level of supervision can be offered. Nature of the Long 麻豆传媒 Apprenticeship Project is that students 'learn-by-doing', and so they will be expected to demonstrate their ability to define a research question, design and conduct primary research and produce a research report that conforms to acceptable standards of presentation.

XX50138: Qualitative methods 2

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take XX50136

Aims & Learning Objectives: To equip students with a critical appreciation of appropriate use of qualitative methods in social research, and the skills to conduct analyse and interpret qualitative research. After completing the unit students will:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* Appreciate the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods and the rationale for when to use qualitative methods with particular relation to their discipline field
* understand the epistemological assumptions that underpin qualitative methodology in their discipline
* be aware of ethical issues in qualitative research
Intellectual Skills:
* be able to generate researchable problems using qualitative methods
* be able to select appropriate qualitative methods for research questions in relation to their own discipline
* be able to conduct research using qualitative methods, including the use of recording techniques
* be familiar with methods for the analysis of qualitative data, including computer-based techniques
* recognise how tools for research are developed in response to a particular research question
* recognise the cultural context of the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of qualitative material and the implications of this for formulating research designs.
Content: The unit builds on Qualitative Methods 1 through more advanced methods of data analysis, and more discipline-specific developments of appropriate techniques. The unit will comprise
1. lectures and classes exploring critical issues in the rationale and conduct of qualitative research, including ethical and cultural issues
2. workshops on selected qualitative methods eg analysis of text and visual material, social networks, participant observation, diary studies, Q methodology, participatory research, evaluation
3. In depth critical classwork on discipline-related research questions
4. Workshops on the use of software-based methods of data analysis.

XX50139: Generic / key skills

Credits: 3

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Aims: The unit aims to provide generic skills required for postgraduate research in the humanities and social sciences and for subsequent employment as researchers in a wide range of sectors.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the unit students will have learned:
Professional Practical Skills:
* to evaluate research, including undertaking refereeing and book reviews;
* to respect, consider and attend to the rights of other researchers and research participants.
Transferable/Generic Skills:
* skills in writing, presentation and dissemination, including using Internet-based tools;
* competency in the presentation of research findings to practitioners and lay audiences;
* an understanding of how the media communicates specialist material to lay audiences, and the skills required to engage with the media, such as writing press releases and being interviewed.
Content: The unit offers stand-alone sessions on each of the topics highlighed in the learning objectives, having regards also to the opportunities afforded to the students to develop and apply those same skills in other units of the programme. Students are also required to attend Departmental research seminars.

XX50140: MRes dissertation

Credits: 30

Level: Masters

Dissertation period

Assessment: DS100

Requisites:

Aims: To support students, within an active research community, identify a feasible research question, relate it to relevant literature and develop a cogent and coherent argument that addresses the research question.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the unit, the students should be able:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* demonstrate a good knowledge of the literature on the chosen research question;
* present independent analysis, argument and/or application of theory in a coherent fashion.
Intellectual skills:
* define a researchable question/focus;
* integrate evidence to support arguments;
* appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of existing literature;
* develop and present a detailed argument in an original or stimulating way.
Professional practice skills:
* identify and access relevant information sources;
* understand and apply in a correct fashion key research presentation skills such as referencing, bibliographical information, comprehensible tables and diagrams;
* demonstrate good computing skills;
* communicate arguments in a coherent and interesting manner.
Transferable/Key Skills:
* apply research management skills such as time and resource planning and monitoring, archiving of data;
* develop good writing, presentation and dissemination skills, including the use of Internet-based tools;
* competency in the presentation of research findings.
Content: Any area of research for which an adequate level of supervision can be offered.

XX50143: MRes dissertation with placement

Credits: 30

Level: Masters

Dissertation period

Assessment: DS100

Requisites:

Aims: To give students the opportunity to gain first hand experience of a host organisation, identify a feasible research question within the host organisation, relate the question to relevant literature and develop a cogent and coherent argument that addresses the research question.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the unit, the students should be able:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* demonstrate a good knowledge of the literature on the chosen research question;
* present independent analysis, argument and/or application of theory in a coherent fashionIntellectual skills;
* define a researchable question/focus;
* integrate evidence to support arguments;
* appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of existing literature;
* develop and present a detailed argument in an original or stimulating way.
Professional practice skills:
* liase with colleagues in the host organisation on a research topic;
* identify and access relevant information sources;
* understand and apply in a correct fashion key research presentation skills such as referencing, bibliographical information, comprehensible tables and diagrams;
* demonstrate good computing skills;
* communicate arguments in a coherent and interesting manner.
Transferable/Key Skills:
* discuss research work with colleagues in host organisation;
* apply research management skills such as time and resource planning and monitoring, archiving of data;
* develop good writing, presentation and dissemination skills, including the use of Internet-based tools;
* competency in the presentation of research findings.
Content: Any area of research for which an adequate level of supervision can be offered.

| Catalogues for 2003/04 | for UGs | for PGs