Introduction to Social Research Methods

Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/MAN00166M/latest Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/study/phd-social-policy-and-social-work/

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• Department: The York Management School
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
• See module specification for other years: 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26

Module summary

This module enables students to gain an understanding of the principles of social research as part of the wider context of social inquiry including related methodological and ethical debates from both generic social science and management studies perspectives.

Module will run

Module aims

This module enables students to gain an understanding of the principles of social science research as part of the wider context of social inquiry including related methodological and ethical debates from general social science, business, management, and financial research, social policy, and social work perspectives. The module addresses the development of social science research across multiple disciplines and methodologies. It considers the political, ethical and legal dimensions of, and power relationships within, the research process. It examines fundamental issues of research design including: the philosophy of social science research; the use of multiple methods, including the use of case studies, focus groups, the design and implementation of surveys and questionnaires, working with archives, databases, surveys and official statistics. The module will also address research writing, dissemination and the nature of impact.

Module learning outcomes

Successful completion of the module will demonstrate that students are able to:

• Describe the main characteristics of social science research design
• Construct an answerable research question
• Select the appropriate research design for a research problem
• Comprehend and use the language and terminology of research in the social sciences
• Discuss the different possible end-uses and outcomes of research in the social sciences.

Module content

The module might address the following:

• Historical development of the social sciences
• Political, legal and ethical issues in the research process
• Power relationships in the research process
• General Principles of Research Design
• Survey and questionnaire design
• Action research, practice and Impact
• Focus Groups
• Case Studies
• Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
• Using Archives, Databases, Surveys and Official Statistics
• Policy research

Indicative assessment

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback in line with SBS policy.

Indicative reading

Clark, Tom, Liam Foster, and Alan Bryman. 2019. How to Do Your Social Research Project Or Dissertation. Oxford University Press.