Module
Research methods

Type
Master’s general module (30 hours)

ECTS
5

UoW credits
10

Coordinator
Marcin Duszynski, BA, MSc

Overall Aims and Purpose
The course provides an understanding of varied epistemological positions, as well as multiple methods applicable to the process of researching modern social science disciplines. Students are exposed to the relationships between and the rationale for particular qualitative and quantitative research methods and will gain an understanding of and ability to apply the concepts of generalisation, validity, reliability and replicability from a variety of viewpoints. The significance of the alternative epistemological positions is outlined and provides the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques.

Content

1. Overview of and introduction to various paradigms, drawing in particular on the evolution and development within and between the research paradigms.
- Positivism and its variants, antecedents and developments (e.g. materialism, realism, structuralism)
- Constructivism, interpretivism and their variants, antecedents and developments (e.g. idealism, methodological relativism, phenomenology, hermeneutics)
- Critical approaches and the "Posts"- post-modernism, post-structuralism and post-feminism.
2. Quantitative research methods.
- Definition, types, applicability.
- Databases.
- Devising questionnaires.
- Basic statistics (sampling, probability, significance testing), multivariate analysis.
3. Qualitative research methods.
- Definition, types, applicability.
- Interviews and group discussions.
- Textual analysis.
- Ethnographies.
- Discourse analysis
- Relevant qualitative software applications such as N-Vivo/NUD.IST

Reading list

Essential:

Babbie, E., 2003, “The practice of Social Research”, Wadsworth
Miles M., & A. Huberman, (1995) “Qualitative Data Analysis”, 2nd edition, SAGE
Hughes, J. (1990). The Philosophy of Social Research, (2nd Edition), Essex: Longman Group Ltd.

Suggested:
Berger, P. & Luckmann, T. (1966). The Social Construction of Reality. New York: Anchor Books.
Blaikie, N. (1993). Approaches to Social Enquiry. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Burrell, G. & Morgan, G. (1979). Sociological Paradigms and Organisational Analysis: Elements of the Sociology of Corporate Life. Aldershot: Gower.
Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. London: Penguin
Hacking, I. (1999). The Social Construction of What? Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Hammersley,M. (Ed.) (1993). Social Research: Philosophy, Politics and Practice, London: Sage
Harding, S (Ed.) (1987). Feminism and Methodology: Social Science Research Issues, Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press.
Hollis, M. & Lukes, S. (1982). Rationality and Relativism. Oxford: Blackwell.
Smircich, L. & Calas M. (Eds.) (1995). Critical Perspectives on Organization and Management Theory, Aldershot: Dartmouth.
Smircich, L. & Calas M. (Eds.) (1995). Post-Modern Management Theory, Aldershot: Dartmouth.