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Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


SP10159: Social research: sources, presentation and communication

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: OT 50%, PR 50%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: SP10159 Reassessment only 100% cw (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information 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.
Click here for further informationProgramme 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
  • UHSP-AFB11 : BSc (hons) Sociology with Human Resource Management (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UHSP-AKB11 : BSc (hons) Sociology with Human Resource Management (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.