SC830-6-FY-CO:
Quantitative Research Project
2023/24
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
05 October 2023
Requisites for this module
SC208 or SC203
(none)
(none)
GV831, SC340, SC390, SC831, SC832
(none)
BSC L315 Sociology (Applied Quantitative Research),
BSC L316 Sociology (Applied Quantitative Research) (Including Year Abroad),
BSC L317 Sociology (Applied Quantitative Research) (Including Placement Year),
BSC L310 Sociology with Data Science,
BSC L311 Sociology with Data Science (including Year Abroad),
BSC L312 Sociology with Data Science (including Placement Year),
BSC L313 Sociology with Data Science (Including foundation Year)
Undergraduates in the Department of Sociology at Essex carry out a research project in the final year of their degree. This project allows you to apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge that you have gained over the course of your undergraduate degree.
The project can take a variety of forms ranging from empirical research using methods such as participant observation, ethnographic research, qualitative interviews, content or discourse analysis, or secondary data analysis, such as the analysis of an existing quantitative or qualitative data set. Unlike other assignments, you will be conducting, analysing and writing-up a piece of original research.
The undergraduate sociology project is the equivalent of one full year module in your degree course and must be between 10,000 and 12,000 words in length (including all footnotes, endnotes, references/bibliography and tables/figures). It runs in parallel with your other third year modules - although you should begin work on your project during the summer term following your second year.
While you will receive guidance from the project director and your supervisor, ultimately the success of your research will depend on the way in which you develop your ideas and plan and execute your project.
The project provides an opportunity for students to research and produce a substantial piece of original work. It is designed to draw together the knowledge that the student has acquired on the programme and will enable them to develop and demonstrate methodological, analytical, and writing skills.
On successfully completing the project the student will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
1. Knowledge of key sociological research concepts and theories.
2. Knowledge of the principles of research design for your chosen empirical approach.
3. Knowledge of the epistemological, ethical and political dimensions of sociological research.
4. An ability to develop a reasoned argument.
5. An ability to formulate sociological questions.
6. An ability to summarise, report and evaluate arguments, texts and findings.
7. An ability to frame a research proposal and to identify and apply the appropriate research methods.
8. An ability to understand, summarise and critically assess sociological work
9. Ability to produce independent work.
10. An ability to conduct and present a small scale piece of sociological research.
11. An ability to present ideas and evidence to others in a clear and concise manner.
12. An ability to identify problems and propose solutions.
13. An ability to plan work, manage time, reflect on work, and respond constructively to the comments of others
Indicative syllabus
- Final Year Project Introduction
- Ethics Workshop
- Writing the Literature Review
- Data Collection and Access Workshop
- Data Analysis Workshop (Quantitative)
- Structuring and Writing your Project
This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.
As there are still restrictions related to COVID-19 in place, some of the teaching on most modules will take place online. Most modules in Sociology are divided into lectures of around 50 minutes and a class of around 50 minutes. Some are taught as a 2hr seminar, and others via a 50-minute lecture and 2-hr lab. For the majority of modules the lecture-type content will be delivered online – either timetabled as a live online session or available on Moodle in the form of pre-recorded videos. You will be expected to watch this material and engage with any suggested activities before your class each week. Most classes labs and seminars will be taught face-to-face (assuming social distancing allows this).
This module, SC830-6-FY, will include a range of activities to help you and your supervisors to check your understanding and progress. These include the submission of a research proposal and data collection plan, an opportunity to engage in workshops on data collection and analysis, and a regular discussion forum where you can look for answers to your questions, and post new questions.
The lectures provide an overview of the substantive debates around the topic of the week, while the classes will give you the opportunity to reflect on your learning and actively engage with your peers to develop your understanding further. The weekly classes will take place face-to-face (unless there is a change in the current COVID safety measures). You are strongly encouraged to attend the classes as they provide an opportunity to talk with your class teacher and other students. The classes will be captured and available via Listen Again. However, if you want to gain the most you can from these classes it is very important that you attend and engage. Please note that the recording of classes is at the discretion of the teacher.
Please note that you should be spending up to eight hours per week undertaking your own private study (reading, preparing for classes or assignments, etc.) on each of your modules (e.g. 32 hours in total for four 30-credit modules).
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Literature Review |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Final Year Project |
|
90% |
Additional coursework information
100% coursework - Project dissertation
Maximum word length: 12,000 words (inclusive of footnotes, endnotes, references/bibliography, and figures)
Please note that assessment information is currently showing for 2018-19 and will be updated in August 2019
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Maitrayee Deka, email: maitrayee.deka@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Carlos Gigoux Gramegna, email: cgigou@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Giacomo Vagni, email: g.vagni@essex.ac.uk.
Supervision by various members of the Department
Jane Harper, Undergraduate Administrator, Telephone 01206 873052, email jharper (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
No
No
Yes
Dr Aneira Edmunds
School of Law, Politics & Sociology
Senior Lecturer
Dr Emily Gray
University of Warwick
Assistant Professor of Criminology
Available via Moodle
Of 9 hours, 9 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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