SO242-15 Designing and Conducting Social Research

In the Department of Sociology at Warwick we believe that students are producers, not just consumers of knowledge. This course, Designing and Conducting Social Research, teaches you just that – how to actually undertake and do social research.

What is it like to interview a research subject? How does one go about doing an ethnography? What ethical questions must we consider when researching life online? In this module, you'll gain practical skills for planning and carrying out social research. By the time you have finished the module you'll acquire knowledge about the research tools widely applicable in academic and professional settings.

Along with the practical research skills you will get, we'll also investigate how social research has changed dramatically in the last few decades – because of the changing landscapes of social research: how can and should we study the twittersphere? What effect does snapchat have on social interactions? How can we engage diverse users and audiences rather than only seeing them as objects of our studies?

Key Information

CORE module for BA Sociology and BA Sociology & Criminology

CORE module for joint honours Sociology students

Optional module for other degrees

15 CATS

Summative Assessment: 3000 word research report (100%)

Teaching: 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar per week

Module Convenor: Alexander Smith