Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

SP50147 Research issues in death and dying

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: ES100

Requisites:

Aims:
* To provide a systematic understanding of a range of research methods appropriate to the study of death, dying and bereavement.
* To enable students to recognise and evaluate the specific contributions and limitations of various methodological approaches
* To enable students to apply research perspectives to their own practice and/or discipline.
* To enable students to be aware of and to reflect critically on some of the sensitivities of researching in this field.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to
* Critically evaluate the contributions and limitations of a range of approaches to research into death, dying and loss.
* Apply appropriate criteria and theoretical concepts to an evaluation of research studies in death, dying and loss.
Skills:

* Develop skills to critically reflect on the suitability of diverse approaches for investigating and analysing research problems.
* Systematically synthesise information from a variety of research perspectives for a relevant understanding of theoretical and practical approaches.
* Identify and access relevant information sources.
* Communicate complex issues and perspectives effectively.
* Develop skills of time management, workload prioritisation and related planning skills.
* Develop good writing and presentation skills.
Content:
This unit will comprise lectures, seminars and research presentations from staff and external researchers that demonstrate a range of research approaches to the study of mortality. These will include:
Surveys
Ethnography
Interview-based studies
Observational studies
Organisational studies
Using secondary data
Content analysis
Using online sources as data
Ethical implications will be prioritised throughout.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07