Program Overview

Gathering Data: Meta Issues and Contemporary Practices - Module SO4122

Brief Description

This module provides a broad and synthetic overview of data collection approaches that span the social sciences. The module discusses broad issues around data collection that highlights the unique features of contemporary, IT driven world that shapes data, its meaning, and its uses.

Programme Content

Learning Outcomes

On the successful completion of this module, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the social factors that influence data collection
• Demonstrate an understanding of how social differences may influence the collection of data and what types of data can be collected
• Demonstrate an understanding of how different types of data speak to different types of issues or questions
• Demonstrate an understanding of how and why certain types of fields prefer different data collection strategies and why
• Gain a broad understanding of how social differences and social stratification in general (e.g., ethnicity, nativity, social class) influence social data, its availability, and its validity and reliability
• Develop a value orientation towards data that allows one to understand how different types of strategies capitalise on (or minimise) differences based on social location
• Develop an understanding of the ethical issues around social data in the modern world

Assessment

There is no final exam for this short-course. Participants will be assessed through 1-2 continuous assignments, provided by the lecturer and tutor.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum Level 7 qualification.
• It is recommended that applicants first complete the "Data Literacy for the 21st Century" Micro-Cred.

Course Details

• Course Code(s): SO4122
• Available: Part-Time
• Intake: Spring
• Course Start Date: January 2023
• Award: University Certificate of Study
• Qualification: NFQ Level 8
• Faculty: Sociology
• Course Type: Professional/Flexible

About the University

The University of Limerick fully respects an individual's right to privacy and actively seeks to preserve the privacy rights of those who share information with the University. Any personal data which is provided to the University will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018.