Unit learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the contribution made by social science disciplines to the  generation of knowledge claims and the creation of contested interpretations of contemporary social issues in the UK and other societies in the world
2. Demonstrate the ability to analyse a contemporary social issue from different disciplinary perspectives within the social sciences and the public policy approach in addressing this issue by drawing on social science research knowledge

What am I required to do in this assignment?
Write a 2000 word-essay in answer to the question: What are the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences?

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
Demonstrate empirical knowledge of a key social issue. This knowledge will be shown in the way you understand the
contribution of social science disciplinary approaches to the investigation of social issue. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of different social science theories. This understanding will be shown in the way you compare and contrast the differing conceptualisations of the social issue from the perspective of rival social science theories. Demonstrate effective understanding of social science research. You will show this by identifying the ways in which alternative social science theories may be ideologically aligned to enrich understanding of the social issue.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
Structure
Introduction :
 Explain the purpose of your essay
 Give a description of what each section will contain
 Provide any relevant definitions (e.g. positivism, quantitative)

Part 1, section 1 : Which theoretical approaches tend to use quantitative methodologies and which tend to use qualitative?
Explain why by describing the theoretical ideas of different approaches to the social sciences (Hint: positivism and interpretivism will be
very important in this section).
Part 1, section 2 : Explain the key differences between quantitative and qualitative research. To help you, think about the
following questions:
 What types of methodologies are commonly used in quantitative research? Why?
 What types of methodologies are commonly used in qualitative research? Why?
 Why do sample sizes differ between quantitative and qualitative research methodologies?

Part 2 : Choose and find four articles from the selection you have been given. Pick two quantitative and two qualitative.
 Explain the key arguments of your quantitative articles
 Explain the key arguments of your qualitative articles
 Compare the methods for data collection between your articles, paying particular attention to:
o Sample size
o How data was collected – e.g. was it interviews? A survey? Was it conducted in-person or online?
 Finally, explain why you think this method of data collection was chosen