Topics covered: general info on PhD process; writing successful research proposals and effectively preparing literature surveys; networking strategies (conference participation, summer schools, membership in research networks, etc--things that will help students to strengthen their CVs over time); preparing for fieldwork and data collection, and locating secondary data.
In addition, students are introduced to a range of theoretical paradigms and their empirical applications, as represented in the Department (through presentations by academic staff). Students are expected to present their research proposals for comments by the colloquium tutor and also by others in class.
Autumn Term
Week 1
Introduction of the Colloquium:
- its main purposes and outline
- PhD process: specialization and choice/change of supervisor; progress board meetings; PhD planning and timing; funding PhD research
Reading: PGR Handbook
Week 2
-The What and How of PhD Research Design:
-different purposes and strategies of research
- theoretical/conceptual framework of research
Reading: issues to be included in a PhD research design (tbd); C. Ragin, Constructing Social Research (1994), chaps 1 and 2; R. Merton, "The Bearing of Sociological Theory on Empirical Research" (Course Reader); A. Bryman, Social Research Methods (2004), students select chapters corresponding to their (qualitative, quantitative, mixed) approach;
Weeks 3 - 4
Staff presentations of theoretical approaches/concepts which inform their thinking about the social world and the impact thereof on their research
Open discussion
Weeks 5 -6
Student presentations of their PhD topics and the conceptual frameworks, sources of data and research methods informing their doctoral study
Open discussion
Weeks 7 - 8
Preparing a review of the literature and selecting sources of data: general guidelines
Reading:
- a sample of our PhD students' literature reviews (tbd)
- critical assessment of sources: A. Bryman, "Documents as Sources of Data"; "Narrative Approaches in Social Analysis" Social Science History special issue, 16(4) 1992; J.Milligan, "The Treatment of Historical Sources"; K. Prewitt, "The Census Counts, the Census Classifies"; M. Alvesson and K. Skoldberg, "Reflexive Methodology" (all in the Course Reader).
Week 9
Discussion of student literature reviews: themes, sources, connection to issues & arguments informing the thesis
Week 10
Locating yourself in the field: graduate workshops; summer schools; membership in professional associations; research networks; conference participation and presentation
Reading: information about our graduate workshops and conferences; ISA, ESA, BSA, ASA etc; Essex summer school programmes; sociology journals (tbd)
SPRING TERM
Week 16
Student presentations of their expanded research designs
Open discussion
Week 17
Student presentations of their expanded reviews of literature (themes, sources, selection criteria, critical assessment)
Open discussion
Week 18
Preparation for Fieldwork: Issues and Challenges (1)
Reading:
- R. Merton, "The Bearing of Empirical Research on Sociological Theory" (Course Reader #1)
-Sloman Library -short loan:
-M. Dalton, Men Who Manage (1961)
- G. Suttles, The Social Order of the Slum (1968)
-R. Bellah, Tokugawa Religion (1973)
-J. Eade, ed. Living the Global City. Globalization as a Local Process (1997), 4 selected chapters
Each student selects and presents in class one of the above readings in relation to issues relevant to h/h own PhD project (parts of the books may be divided between people who choose the same reading)
Week 19
Preparation for Fieldwork: Issues and Challenges (2)
Ethical Considerations, Risks, Biases (general issues and potential problems specifically related to students PhD projects)
Reading: A.Bryman, "Ethic and Politics in Social Research," in idem, Social Research Methods. Pp.466-88; D. Fetterman, "Walking Softly Through the Wilderness" in idem, Ethnography (Course Reader); P.Liamputtong, Performing Cross-Cultural Research, chaps 2 and 4 (Course Reader); S. Jones, Doing Internet Research, chaps. 9 and 12 (Course Reader); E. Morawska, "A Historical Ethnography in the Making: A (Self-) Reflexive Account" (Course Reader)
Week 20
Students present their data gathering plans
Open discussion
Week 21
Study week
Week 22
Students present their revised/expanded research designs
Open discussion
Week 23
Students present their revised/expanded reviews of literature
Open discussion
Week 24
Preparation for the June board meeting
Week 25
Students' issues and concerns/open discussion
Readings:
(i)In Waterstone Bookstore and Sloman Library:
- Charles Ragin, Constructing Social Research (Sage 2011)
-John R. Hall, Cultures of Inquiry (Cambridge U. Press 1999)
-John Goldthrope, On Sociology: Numbers, Narratives, and the Integration of Research and Theory (Oxford U. Press 2000)
-Alan Bryman, Social Research Methods (Oxford U. Press, 2006)
(ii)1st Year PhD Course Reader (to be purchased in the Sociology office)