21781 Social and Community Research

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject introduces the theory and methods of social research as applied within the community sector. It explores research as a problem-solving and political tool, critically examines both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and introduces the basis of statistical analysis (using SPSS). It provides a basis of understanding for those who manage or use research projects, and provides a necessary basis for those undertaking their own research.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Explain and critically analyse the research process in terms of competing epistemological bases;
2. Describe and evaluate the main methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, used in social and community research;
3. Apply and critically assess the research process within the community sector as a scientific activity and as a political one;
4. Demonstrate basic research skills;
5. Critically evaluate written research reports;
6. Identify a research question and develop a research proposal.

Contribution to graduate profile

In the nonprofit sector a good manager needs to have the capacity to implement or commission a problem focused research project, as well as to critically assess research outputs. This requires the capacity to think analytically and critically about research questions and the research process. This subject provides both a more advanced tool in community management, and an introduction to social research. On its own it provides a basis for the informed management of research projects and the capacity to critically assess their application. The subject also provides the necessary basis for the development of a research proposal and the research project subject.

Teaching and learning strategies

The Learning Guide, which contains subject and content outlines and information, suggests a learning pathway students might follow and directs student learning towards the assessment tasks. It helps students to keep track of the entire subject while simultaneously working on the details, and to move through the subject with some freedom about the pace and times that best suit them.

Teaching strategies also include the promotion of learning partnerships. These partnerships are made up of smaller groups and provide an open and less formal forum for students to discuss interpretations of learning tasks, theoretical issues and responses to various readings. The Partnerships also allow students to share the diversity of their own experiences and backgrounds as a way of informing responses to issues raised in the course and promote networking among class members.

These strategies are supported by a series of face-to-face lectures.

Content

• The nature of research as problem solving activity; the politics of research.
• Scientific method and logical positivism.
• Critical and interpretive approaches to research.
• Data gathering techniques, including observation, interviews, case studies, action research, surveys, and the use of secondary data sources.
• Starting the research process: Developing the research question, reviewing the literature.
• Exploratory (qualitative) methods.
• Questionnaire design.
• Descriptive statistics.
• Using SPSS.
• Introducing inferential statistics.
• Writing a research proposal.
• Preparing and evaluating research reports.
• Programme evaluation as research.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Assessment Task 1

Assessment item 2: Assessment Task 2

Assessment item 3: Assessment Task 3