Skills for the Social Science
Assessment Task
A two-part 2000 word portfolio evidencing academic and study skills acquired by reflection, as well as a demonstration of learning on how research is used for social enquiry.
Part one:
The first part of the portfolio is a 500 word reflective piece on what the student has learnt about types of academic writing and why academic writing styles are important for university purposes.
Question- ‘What are the key academic writing styles and why are they important’? (Approx. 350 words)
This is followed by an introduction to their topic of interest, which the student will be investigating over the course of the semester (approx. 150 words).
Chosen topic: Juvenile Delinquency
Part two:
The second part of the portfolio will be 1500 words evidencing the student’s understanding of how research is used for social enquiry. This requires the student to use the topic chosen in part one and from the list of articles supplied, identify 3 articles that are positivistic (quantitative) in style and 3 journal articles that are interpretative (qualitative) in style.
Structure
Section 1 – (approx. 300 words)
Using the articles that are positivistic (positivism) in style, the student is expected to write a descriptive summary of each of the articles clearly highlighting the following:
1) The type of research i.e. is positivistic or anti-positivistic?
2) Introduce the research
3) Describe the methods used
4) Describe the results
5) Describe the conclusion
Section 2 – (approx. 300 words)
Using the articles that are interpretative (anti-positivism/qualitative) in style, the student is expected to write a descriptive summary of each of the articles clearly highlighting the following:
1. The type of research i.e. is positivistic or anti-positivistic?
2. Introduce the research
3. Describe the methods used
4. Describe the results
5. Describe the conclusion
You will need to:
a) Use concepts accurately,
b) Follow the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling
c) Reference correctly throughout using the Harvard referencing style
Please note that you are not expected to use bullet points but rather, you are expected to write in prose form. The bullet points above are just a clear illustration of everything you must include in your description of the articles.
Section 3-
Discussion – The contribution of research to the topic area.
In the section, the student is expected to discuss how the studies used have enhanced their understanding of the ways in which research contributes to knowledge on their topic. They are expected to draw on other sources on the topic evidencing their ability to search for and correctly use academic literature (approx. 750 words).
Section 4- Conclusion (approx. 150 words).
Reference list:
As a minimum requirement you are expected to draw on 10 academic sources (if you do not use 10 ACADEMIC sources, you will lose marks and risk failing this assignment). Examples of academic sources include books found in the library, e-books – that are specific to the subject of sociology/the topic you are discussing, journals books, Article book chapter, official web pages that end in .ac .org .gov, policy papers and papers found on Google scholar. Word-processed, double spaced, Arial 12 Font and number the pages. You must also include a word count.
Do NOT cite
1) Your lecture/seminar slides, or lecturers.
2) Online blogs/webpages/essay writing sites/online student rooms.
3) General pages found on google (unless they are policy papers/.org/.ac/.gov).
4) Articles from the tabloid newspapers (the Sun/the mirror/the Daily Mail)
5) Un-official web pages that are general discussions without being peer reviewed/from a university / from an academic source
You are reminded that plagiarism of any type will be penalised and result in a fail.
Marking criteria:
Knowledge and understanding of aspects of researching and investigating social life.
Ability to research the questions and to describe and summarise findings.
Demonstrate an understanding of positivistic and interpretative research.
Demonstrate an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research procedures and how these relate to social enquiry.
Demonstrate the ability to present information and argument in a logical form, follow the rules for writing a descriptive project.
Use concepts accurately and following the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Harvard referencing.
Key initial* reading and resources Recommended Reading
Core text –
• Cottrell, Stella. The study skills handbook. Macmillan International Higher Education, 2013.
• Punch S., Marsh, I., Keating, M. and Harden, J. (2013) Sociology: Making Sense of Society 5th edition. Harlow: Pearson Education – Available as an Ebook
Guided reading –
• Bryman, A (2016) Social Research Methods. Oxford. OUP,
• Bauman Z. & May T. (2001) Thinking Sociologically Malden MA: Blackwell Publishers.
• Graziano, A,M. and Raulin, M (2014) Research methods [electronic resource] : a process of inquiry
• Jones P., Bradbury L., & Le Boutillier S. (2011) Introducing Social Theory 2nd edition, Cambridge: Polity
• May, T (2011) Social research [electronic resource]: issues, methods and process. Maidenhead : Open University Press
• Neuman, W. (2014). Social research methods [electronic resource]: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Harlow, Essex : Pearson
• O’Byrne D. (2011) Introducing Sociological Theory Harlow: Pearson
• Rosenau, P,M. (1992) Post-Modernism and The Social Sciences
Independent study –
To receive high grades you will need to demonstrate your wider reading. The following journals provide useful background reading for the material in this unit:
British Journal of Sociology
Current Sociology
Developments in Sociology
Identity – An International Journal of Theory and Research
Journal of Ethnic and Racial Studies
Journal of Social Issues
Sociological Research Online
Sociology: The Journal of The British Sociological Association
Sociological Review
Work, Employment and Society
Specific assessment guidance
1. An introduction that details the construction of the essay and informs the reader of what to expect to find within the essay
2. A conclusion where you draw the threads of your discussion together and show how you have addressed your aims and objectives.
3. As a minimum requirement you are expected to draw on 10 academic sources (if you do not use 10 ACADEMIC sources, you will lose marks and risk failing this assignment)
You cannot just rely on the core text books; you will need to search for other books/ journals/articles to help you answer the question. You will need to source articles in the library, especially journal articles, as they will provide you with the latest research evidence/arguments.
• You must use the Harvard referencing system to identify the source of all the information used in your assignment. You will find a copy of the latest referencing guidelines on the unit’s BREO site. Also read the section headed ‘Plagiarism and Bad Academic Practice’ in your handbook. For guidance on referencing sources go to the following webpage: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/a-guide-to-referencing.
Write an essay of 2000 words on one of the following topics:
You are reminded that plagiarism of any type will be penalised and result in a fail.
