# 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](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/MAN00166M/2023-24)
    [2024-25](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/MAN00166M/2024-25)
    [2025-26](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/MAN00166M/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

| Occurrence | Teaching period |
| --- | --- |
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |

## 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

| Task | % of module mark |
| --- | --- |
| **Essay/coursework** | 100.0 |

### Special assessment rules

None

### Indicative reassessment

| Task | % of module mark |
| --- | --- |
| **Essay/coursework** | 100.0 |

## 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.