FP053-30 Inquiry and Research Skills for Social Science
Introductory description
The IRS for Social Science module aims to ensure that students develop the necessary competencies and skills to succeed in Social Sciences and related courses in the United Kingdom. It will provide bespoke skills training and support for students aiming at progressing to an undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom. It will provide competency training in reflective and critical thinking, team-working, and raising the awareness of self to develop greater ability in learners to engage with academic debate and take responsibility to critically inquire and evaluate issues in Social Sciences. The module aims to ensure that students become independent learners and researchers who are equipped to think for themselves.
Module aims
- To develop students independent learning skills and confidence through inquiry based learning
- Introduce students to, and raise their understanding of, university style of research within Social Science including the language and methods used.
- Develop students research skills through undertaking a self-led, extended research project linked to Social Science
- Introduce students to a variety of digital tools and skills that are used in the study of Social Science
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- What is research? Understanding what research is and information literacy skills that support research including asking relevant questions, evaluating sources, document analysis, formulating search strategies, effective searching, reflection and developing coherent lines of argument. Contribution of digital Social Sciences to learning in the discipline.
- Introduction to Problem Based learning – taking part in group based tasks in which students utilise, develop and practise research skills whilst investigating interdisciplinary issues in the Social Science.
- Research Project – students will be taught about different research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods used in the Social Sciences, research ethics, question design and analysis. They will propose, design, plan and carry out their own multi-media research study leading to a presentation in which they will answer questions about their research.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Investigate and analyse academic debates that arise in the study of the Social Sciences
- Engage effectively in reflective and critical thinking .
- Propose, design, manage and carry out an independent research project on topics relevant to study in the Social Sciences
- Analyse and evaluate research undertaken by others within the field, drawing comparisons with research done in the Social Sciences in other countries.
- Utilise relevant digital and information literacy skills as applicable to study in the Social Sciences.
Indicative reading list
Cottrell S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (2nd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2014) Dissertations and project reports : a step by step guide Palgrave MacMillan
Dane, C (2018 ) Evaluating research : methodology for people who need to read research (2nd edition) SAGE
Desposato, S (2016) Ethics and experiments [electronic resource] : problems and solutions for social scientists and policy professionals Routledge
Eller JD (2017) Social science and historical perspectives: society, science, and ways of knowing Routledge
Gerring J (2017) Applied social science methodology : an introductory guide Cambridge University Press
Grix, J (2004) The Foundations of Research Palgrave Macmillan
Thomas, G (2013) How to do your research project : a guide for students in education and applied social sciences
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Research element
Research project.
Interdisciplinary
Students undertake study of different problem based learning tasks from an interdisciplinary basis.
International
Students are to be assessed on contribution of research globally in the subject area.
Subject specific skills
- Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
- Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
- Group work skills
- Independent learning skills - planning, time management
- Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
- Reflective thinking/ writing
- Digital Social Science research
- Critical thinking
Transferable skills
- Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
- Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
- Group work skills
- Independent learning skills - planning, time management
- Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
- Reflective thinking/ writing
- Critical thinking
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 72 sessions of 1 hour (24%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 6 sessions of 45 minutes (1%) |
| Private study | 133 hours 30 minutes (44%) |
| Assessment | 90 hours (30%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Preparation for seminars, practising of skills and reading.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Foundations of Research | 10% | 10 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Selection of information literacy moodle modules and research ethics module. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Social Science : Annotated Bibliography | 20% | 20 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Annotated bibliography of key research, including global research, on the research topic area. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Research Log Book | 30% | 20 hours | Yes (extension) |
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log book of progress in research. |
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Reassessment component |
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| Research Project Reflection | Yes (extension) | ||
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Written reflection on the aspects that the log book did not offer sufficient evidence of. |
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Assessment component |
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| Social Science Research Project | 40% | 40 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Presentation of Research Project to include both an academic poster AND discussion of the research. |
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Reassessment component |
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| Research Interview | No | ||
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Students to take part in a short interview to answer questions about their research project. |
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Feedback on assessment
Written comments via tabula; tutorials for students who wish to have further guidance
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of FIOE Warwick International Foundation Programme