Assessment Information/Brief 2020-21
Module title
Research Problems & Methods 1: Qualitatively Better
CRN
TBC
Level
5
Assessment title
Portfolio
Weighting within module
This assessment is worth 100% of the overall module mark.
Submission deadline date and time
4pm, Tuesday 12th January 2021
Module Leader/Assessment set by Professor Andrew Clark and the rest of the module teaching team
How to submit
You should submit your assessment electronically through Turnitin no later than the deadline
Assessment task details and instructions
Your assessment for this module comprises of a portfolio of research reports. Your portfolio should demonstrate the depth and breadth of your learning of the full range of ideas, concepts and skills covered on the module. You should submit your portfolio as a single MS Word document through Turnitin. Although a single document, your portfolio should consist of three clearly indicated sections:
Section 1: A mini-essay
This section should answer the following question:
“What makes a piece of research ‘qualitative’, and what sorts of limitations might you expect to find with it? Refer to issues and examples discussed in the lectures, workshops and suggested readings in your answer.
Section 2: Data analysis task
Select one of the three data sources presented in class (interview data, documentary data, observation data) and analyse the material provided in Blackboard. You should ensure that the method of analysis you undertake is appropriate for the data you analyse. You should present the results of your analysis in the form of a narrative or discussion. Ensure that you analyse the correct material provided (if in doubt, check).
Section 3: Outline of a qualitative research proposal
This section should provide details of a proposed qualitative research project you could undertake in the future. You do not have to undertake the research for the assignment; just say how you would do it. You can choose any topic relevant to criminology, sociology or social policy. Your proposal should include details of:
the research topic;
research question(s);
academic rationale for why the proposed research is worth undertaking;
details of your intended method (you should use at least one of the three presented in the module);
sampling;
ethical issues that may arise and how you would address them;
details of who might be interested in the results of the research;
and the challenges or limitations of your proposed research design.
You should sub-title the three sections of your portfolio:
A mini-essay
Data analysis task (remember, you should submit the results of your analysis from one of the three methods introduced to you (interviews; documentary data; observations)
Outline of a research proposal
Your portfolio should not be longer than 4500 words in total, excluding references. The three sections will be worth an equal proportion of the final mark (i.e. 1/3 each).
Assessed intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of competing epistemologies and methodologies in social science research.
Demonstrate a working knowledge, and practical experience of, alternative methods of collecting qualitative data.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills for synthesising, reporting and presenting qualitative data according to academic conventions.
Demonstrate knowledge of key practical issues in research design, including engaging with ethical dilemmas and securing access to a research population.
Transferable Skills and other Attributes
1. Critical thinking and written communication skills evidenced through essay writing
2. Skills in qualitative data analysis evidenced through analysis of provided data
3. Skills in report writing evidenced through producing a research design report
Module Aims
This module aims to equip you with:
Knowledge and understanding of competing epistomologies and methodologies in social science research.
A working knowledge, and practical experience of, alternative methods of collecting qualitative data.
A working knowledge, and practical experience of, alternative methods of analysing qualitative data.
Knowledge and skills for synthesising, reporting and presenting qualitative data according to academic conventions.
Knowledge of key practical issues in research design, including engaging with ethical dilemmas and securing access to a research population.
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
Understand and evaluate critically competing methodological approaches to social research
Compare the appropriateness of different methods of collecting qualitative data
Compare the appropriateness of different methods of analysing qualitative data
Appreciate and evaluate critically key practical issues in the conduct of social research
You will also have had the had the opportunity to gain the following transferrable skills:
Collecting qualitative data using established research methods
Analysing qualitative data using established research methods
Synthesising and summarising information
Reporting findings from qualitative research in accordance with academic conventions
Comparing different research methodologies
Comparing different research techniques
Communicating (through report writing and workshop participation)
Managing your own learning (through independent learning and good time management)
Solving problems (by evaluating sources, methods, and perspectives)
Word count/ duration (if applicable)
Your assessment should NOT EXCEED 4500 words excluding word count. Although you can exceed this by 10% please try to avoid doing so.
Feedback arrangements
You can expect to receive feedback by Turnitin three weeks after the submission date
Support arrangements
You can obtain support for this assessment by contacting any of the module team by email (but please allow up to 3 days for us to respond at particularly busy times). Staff contact details are available on Blackboard. A ‘Frequently asked questions’ page will be added to the Blackboard site. Seminars will be dedicated entirely to the assessment in Week 10.
askUS
The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS.
Good Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct
Students are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct (academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which students require http://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning.
Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously. You can find out how to avoid academic misconduct here https://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning.
Assessment Information
If you have any questions about assessment rules, you can find out more here.
Personal Mitigating Circumstances
If personal mitigating circumstances may have affected your ability to complete this assessment, you can find more information about personal mitigating circumstances procedure here.
Personal Tutor/Student Progression Administrator
If you have any concerns about your studies, contact your Personal Tutor or your Student Progression Administrator.
Assessment Criteria
Explain how students can find information about assessment criteria.
You should look at the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during the assessment.
In Year Retrieval Scheme
Your assessment is not eligible for in year retrieval.
Reassessment
If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will need to resubmit on or before August 2021 (date tbc). For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances for absence/non submission, this will be your replacement assessment attempt. Details about reassessment will be provided on Blackboard.
Assessment Information/Brief
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