Analytical Review of Social Research
The Following are basic guidelines to Assessment. Keep in mind that you have quite some flexibility when it comes to picking a ‘topic area', about your ideas. Also, make sure you read carefully through the Criteria below.
Basic structure:
1) Introduction: The scope of any paper on Social Research is vast and you need to start by think about guiding both the reader of your paper and yourself through the process. Hence start by setting the focus (selecting a ‘topic area'). Outline a particular area of interest and key argument(s) when it comes to Social Research (state that this is a particular/selected focus). Some examples for a topic (only examples):
a) The assessment might concentrate on "Ethics in Social Research". Keep in mind that such a focus will of course evidently include some discussion on other foundational unit themes, e.g. epistemology, politics, agency and right, etc.
b) The assessment might concentrate on the "Debate about Qualitative vs. Quantitative Traditions". Here you might include matters to do with ethics, epistemology (knowledge production), power of paradigms, the ‘usefulness'/contributions of Social Research, etc.
c) The assessment might concentrate on "Social Research in the 21st Century". Again, there will be a number of themes to draw on, particularly contemporary debates about epistemology (knowledge production) and ethical conduct when it comes to Social Research and new forms of communication and social networks (in human/personal lives).
d) The assessment might concentrate on: "Doing Social Research in a Cross-Cultural Context". Such a topic will need to include a reflection on various aspects and themes addressed in this unit, but it can of course be designed as a concentration on one or two particular aspects (i.e. The researcher and his/her cultural background. Or, what can we know about ‘the Other' (epistemological, as well as ethical and political concerns)?
2) Body of the paper: In the body of the paper you need to flesh out the debates and complexities associated with you selected topic/focus and you might also need to ‘drill down' to the dynamics driving these debates/complexities. You can use brief examples here (depending on the topic), but make sure to maintain an objective mind and recognise all aspects and sides of any debate (for this purpose you need to consult a number of different sources). Keep in mind that this section will test your general grasp of the field of Social Research (concentrated around your chosen topic area), and objective and reflective discussion will provide the best work. This is also the section which tests your critical grasp on the topic.
3) Conclusion: Summing up your discussion. Keep in mind that you do not introduce any new material in this section.
2000 words.
15 references.