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SP10159: Social research: sources, presentation and communication

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: OT 50%, PR 50%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: SP10159 Reassessment only 100% cw (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
The aims of the unit are:
1. To introduce students to the range of official and other descriptive statistics produced in the UK (and EU), and the advantages and disadvantages of these as tools for social research.
2. To introduce students to skills in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of material from secondary sources.
3. To prepare students to make use of such material in other courses, placements and in the final year dissertation.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit the students will have:
* identified and accessed data from the main sources of official statistics
* applied research skills to analyse secondary data relevant to a specific research problem
* presented their findings in the form of a group presentation
* completed a report based on re-analysis of descriptive statistical data
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
* identify a research problem and formulate a research question
* identify and use existing data sources appropriately to the research question
* make effective presentations of complex information using appropriate visual materials
* work in a team
* write clear reports in an appropriate format.

Skills:

* To develop research skills with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis.
* To think creatively and analytically.
* To construct and communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To develop collaborative learning skills and team and groupworking skills
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding
* To develop and apply ICT skills
* To develop presentation skills and verbal communication skills
* Time-management and work planning skills
* Report writing skills.

Content:

* Official statistics, production and use
* Main sources of UK data (the Census, the General Household Survey, the Family Expenditure Survey)
* Analysing specific topics (e.g. unemployment, family trends, crime, gender, poverty),
* Accessing and downloading online datasets
* Use of PowerPoint.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP10159 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

SP10159 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.