Theorising Social Research

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Tutor: to be confirmed
• Assessment: a 2000-word essay (30%) and a 4000-word essay (70%)

This module explores the ways in which a range of theories are used in social research and how theories produce different research practices. It locates social theory within a historical context and examines how changes in research practice have related to trends in theorising the social world.

The module has three aims:

• To introduce you to the history of social science research
• To enable you to understand practices of social science research in context
• To enable you to understand differing philosophies within social research and their relation to methodology and practice

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• explain the context of research practices in one area of the social sciences
• discuss the historical development of social research methods
• discuss the production of academic knowledge in contemporary society
• evaluate the standing of different forms of publication or output within one disciplinary area
• critically compare and contrast the philosophical underpinnings of different approaches to research.