Module manager: Peter Howley
Email: P.Howley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module is designed with the goal of introducing students to different research methods used by social scientists and policy researchers. This is with a view towards providing students with many of the critical thinking and research skills necessary for final year projects. A key emphasis will be placed on the critical assessment of research methodologies and research findings.
This module aims to:
- Provide students with the research and analytical skills required for Year 3 projects.
- Introduce students to a wide array of different types of research methods commonly used by social scientists.
- Engage students with material on core issues of research design.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Develop a rigorous and systematic approach to the process of conducting research.
- Critically appraise the advantages and disadvantages of a wide array of research methods.
- Critically evaluate the reliability of research findings and detect misleading uses of statistics.
- Be able to plan and undertake a research project.
- Critically appraise the veracity of research findings.
Indicative content:
Research Design
- Designing a research project
- Thinking critically
Research Methods
- Regression analysis
- Qualitative research
- Experimental and quasi-experimental designs
- Laboratory experiments
Survey design and data collection
- Principles of survey design and data collection
- Research ethics
Critically evaluating research results
- Errors in statistical reasoning
- Statistical overreach
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 82 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 18 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.
Your teaching methods could include a variety of delivery models, such as face-to-face teaching, live webinars, discussion boards and other interactive activities. There will be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 2,500 words | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit for this module will be 100% by 2,500 word coursework. PLEASE NOTE: the method of assessment for this module is currently under review and may change from it’s current format.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team