| CODE | CLS1206 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Research Methods and Design | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit enables students to familiarise themselves with the broad aspects of research methods and is divided into two parts: one focusing on quantitative research and the other on qualitative research. Themes covered in Quantitative Research • The nature of quantitative research • The writing of the literature review • Sampling • Structured interviewing • Self-completion questionnaires • Quantitative data analysis and presentation Themes covered in Qualitative Research • Understanding the foundations of qualitative Research • Designing a qualitative study • Formulating the Interview Guide, preparing for the interviews (logistics, environment, digital tools). • Transcription of the interviews using Office 365 • Introducing Braun & Clarke’s (2006) six-step approach to Thematic Analysis • Coding and Mapping through NVivo (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis • Discussing ethical issues and the ethical handling of data (confidentiality, storage). • Writing Up the Findings, Analysis and Discussion chapter effectively. Study-unit aims This study-unit introduces students to the main principles and practices of social research, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It aims to develop students’ ability to design basic research projects, collect and analyse data ethically, and interpret and communicate findings effectively within the social sciences. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying quantitative and qualitative research; - Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative approaches, recognising their respective purposes, strengths, and limitations; - Explain the main stages of the research process; - Describe common research designs, data collection methods, and analytical techniques used in social science research; - Understand key ethical issues in the conduct of research. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Formulate clear and researchable questions and hypotheses; • Design basic quantitative and qualitative research strategies appropriate to specific research aims; • Collect, organise, and analyse data using suitable tools and techniques; • Critically interpret quantitative and qualitative data; • Present research findings effectively through written reports, tables, and graphical representations; • Apply ethical principles in planning and conducting research; • Communicate research ideas and findings through research reports. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L. & Bryman, A. (2021). Bryman's social research methods (6th Edition). Oxford University Press. - Braun, V. & Clark, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research. Sage Publication. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Anna Borg Manwel Debono |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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