Module:                                 RSM302 Undergraduate Research

Programme:                         BA Political Science and Sociology

Credit Value:                        24

Module tutor:                        

Module Coordinator:           

1. General Objective

For this module students will be expected to individually conceptualize, design, implement, and analyze an original undergraduate research. This project is the culmination of all the skills students should have acquired through previous modules within the program. Through their research, students are expected to show that they have mastered both the theory and practice of research.

The undergraduate research is a yearlong endeavor divided in two parts, over the module of two semesters. At the end of the first semester students will have (1) selected a research topic, (2) written an appropriate literature review for that topic and (3) have created a research design for a project based on that topic. This will ideally allow them to begin collecting data for their project over the long winter break.

At the end of the second semester students will (1) finish collecting data or finalize access to an appropriate data set (2) analyze and interpret the data using an appropriate analysis strategy (3) complete a research report that includes the four standard sections expected in a research paper, namely a literature review, a methodology, data findings and analysis and a conclusion and (4) orally present their project including their findings and their conclusions.

2. Learning objectives

On completion of the module, learners will be able to:

• Design and develop a unique individual project that demonstrates a mastery of key social science concepts and debates.

• Apply research skills related to subjects studied during the earlier modules of the program

• Demonstrate knowledge about research methods and research design.

• Gather and process data independently and present them scientifically

• Analyze data findings and provide discussion

• Critic on research findings and relevant literature

• Respond to feedback and comments, and use them to guide and improve their work

3. Learning and teaching approach

3.1.           First semester

During the first part (first semester) of the research module students will revise the main research skills that will enable them to design and begin their individual undergraduate research. The first semester will also deal with issues such as the aims and objectives of the research, writing research questions, research ethics and research design. Once students have selected a research topic they will write an annotated bibliography, which will be the first step to a literature review. This should enable them to produce a research design that includes their methodological intentions.

The class will meet as a group for one hour each week, which will be used either as a tutorial for brainstorming. A second hour will be devoted to giving students an opportunity to work on their project and get individual support and feedback from the tutors. The final versions of the research design (around 10 pages) and the literature review (around 5 pages) need to both be handed in the last week of the semester.

The first semester of the undergraduate research will account for 40% of the final work.

3.2.           For second semester:

In this second part (second semester), the student will work with his/her advisors and peers to implement, analyze, and write-up their research for the final report and presentation.

The second part of the undergraduate research will account 60% of the final credit.

Each student will be assigned a main advisor and a second reader based on a match between their  topical interest  and/or methodological approach and  the expertise available in the department.   Three hours will be blocked out each week on the schedule for students to work either with their advisor or alone on their project. Students will be expected to formally check in with their advisors once a week for either an individual or small group meeting to discuss progress, clarify procedures or discuss feedback ( in other words attendance will be taken at these meetings.) This formal schedule is intended to give students structure and support as they work individually on their projects. Students will have the option of also using this time to meet with their second readers. The first complete draft of the report will be marked by a second reader so that each student is given feedback and advice from at least two different faculty members. This cross-grading will also ensure that all students are uniformly graded.

3.3.           Assessment for first semester: 40%

During the first semester, the student will work with his/her advisor and peers to brainstorm, design, and plan their research. The ultimate result is a research design of around 10 pages and a draft literature review of around 5 pages. During the second semester, the student will work with his/her advisors and peers to implement, analyze, and write-up their research for the final report and presentation.

Annotated  Bibliography:    Students  will  turn  in  an  annotated  bibliography  that clearly  demonstrates  that  they  have  sought  out  two  or  three  distinct  bodies  of literature related to their choice of research topic. Annotated bibliographies must include at least 7 academic sources.

Literature  Review- Students  will have the opportunity to write  a  draft literature review  before  producing  a  final  copy.  The  final  copy  MUST  show  marked improvement from the draft  as well as clear attempts to  address feedback  and comments. The literature reviews must:

• Clearly identify and discuss two or three bodies of appropriate literature
• Produce  a   "conversation"   between   different   scholars   and   their   work (reproducing the annotated bibliography is not allowed and students who do this will lose marks)
• Explains and expands the history and context around the chosen research topic
• Defined the relevant key terms, concepts and theories related to the chosen research topic
• Clearly help to inform and shape the research question(s) and methodology of the research project

Research Design- Students will have the opportunity to write a draft research design before producing a final copy. The final copy MUST show marked improvement from the draft as well as clear attempts to address feedback and comments. The research design must:

• Provide a conceptual outline of their thesis. This will consist of 1) the research objective, 2) the research question(s), 3) the research model, 4) the definition of key concepts and 5) a discussion of how they plan to operationalize these concepts.
• Provide a practical outline of the research project showing how they plan to gather date. This will consist of 1) the research strategy; 2) the data and resources they will use, and 3) the methodology (including, when relevant analytical tools like SPSS)

Sample work plan

Assessment for second semester: 60%

The grading breakdown for the second semester is as follows:

Expected Outline: The following format and outline should be followed by the student for their undergraduate research Report: 

Cover Page Abstract Page Table of Contents

Introduction (1-2 pages)

• Opening that entices the reader through anecdotes, statistics, or other interesting statements
• Clearly stated research purpose
• Clearly stated research questions
• Articulated outline for the rest of your paper

Literature Review (5-6 pages)

• Clearly identified two or three bodies of literature pertaining to your topic
• Has a "conversation" between different scholars and their work
• All key terms, concepts, and theories are defined
• This section should serve the purpose of expanding on the history and context surrounding your research

Methodology (2-3 pages)

• Detail about the method used to collect and analyze data
• Explanation about data collection instruments (policy papers, surveys, interview questions, data sets, etc.)
• Explanation about population sample and selection criteria
• Addresses validity and ethics

Data Findings & Data Analysis  (4-6 pages)

• Reporting of what you found in your data collection
• Details on the data collection process (i.e. "how it went getting your data")
• Depending on your methodology, this is where you tell the reader what your data means or "tell a story through the data"
• Interpretation of results
• Implications from your study to society
• Often you may have suggestions for policy changes or solutions to societal problems you were exploring
• Address your research question questions directly and state definitely if you have answered them and how
• Explain how your findings did or did not fit with the literature (from your literature review)

Conclusion (1-2 pages)

• Restate the objective and questions in your study
• Summarize what you found in your data collection
• Summarize what conclusion you drew from your analysis
• Suggest what future research could come out of your study
• End with a broad justification for why your research is important

Appendices (if any) References

Presentation: On the last week of the semester, the student will give a presentation detailing their entire project, from conceptualization to results. During this presentation, the student will use Power Point (PC) or Key Note (Apple) to visually represent the concepts, statistics, data, and analysis of their research. The presentation will be given their peers. Presentations deemed to be "Excellent" and exemplary research projects will be selected and presented to the Political Science/Sociology students in their first and second years.

4. Reading List

4.1.           Essential Reading

Verschuren, P. and Doorewaard, H. (2010). Designing a Research Project. The Hague, Netherlands: Eleven International Publishing (second edition as e-book).

Other sources students can use to refine their methodological approach and understanding:

Babbie, E. (2011).The basics of social research (5th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Flick, U., von Kardorff, E. & Steinke, I. (Eds.) (2004). A companion to qualitative research (B. Jenner, trans.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Gorard, S. (2003).Quantitative methods in social science. New York: Continuum. Pfeferrmann, D. & Rao, C.R. (Eds.) (2009). Sample surveys: Design, methods, and applications (Handbook of Statistics 29A). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Singh, K. (2007). Quantitative social research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Date August 2015