Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DBS2213

 
TITLE Advanced Study Skills for Disability Studies

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Disability Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will enable students to familiarise themselves with different research methods (qualitative, quantitative and desk-based research) used in the social sciences in general and in disability studies in particular. It will also enable the students to develop the necessary skills for conducting such research, including carrying out a literature review and writing up research and ensuring that sources are properly cited and referenced. The study-unit will also tackle issues on doing research in an ethical manner, and the principles of emancipatory disability research and how to put them into practice.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To outline the nature of social science research and the main methodologies that are used;
- To present the principles of emancipatory disability research and issues that are relevant when conducting research with disabled people;
- To discuss the steps needed in conducting a literature review.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify the best research methodology that fits particular research questions;
- Identify relevant sources for the literature needed in order to conduct a review;
- Identify steps to be taken in the process of writing up research including steps taken for proper citations and referencing;
- Evaluate the extent to which specific studies have followed the principles of emancipatory disability research;
- Critique the ethical implications of doing research with disabled people.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Draw up a research question and identify the most suitable research methodology to explore that question;
- Draw up a research plan in line with the chosen methodology;
- Conduct a literature review and write it up, using proper citations and referencing;
- Identify how emancipatory disability research and other research methodologies can benefit disabled people.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Barnes, C. 2004. Reflections on doing Emancipatory Disability Research. In Swain, J., French, S., Barnes, C. & Thomas, C. (Eds.) Disabling Barriers –Enabling Environments. Chapter 7, pp.47-53. Los Angeles : Sage.
- Bryman, A. 2016. Social Research Methods. 5th edition. Oxford University Press.
- Hart, C. 1998. Doing a literature review : releasing the social science research imagination. Sage.
- Stone, E. & Priestley, M. 1996. Parasites, pawns and partners : disability research and the role of non-disabled researchers. British Journal of Sociology, 47(4), pp.699-716.
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition.
- University of Malta Plagiarism and Collusion Guidelines. Available from https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/95571/University_Guidelines_on_Plagiarism.pdf

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Blended Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Research Paper Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Anne-Marie Callus (Co-ord.)
Amy Joan Camilleri Zahra

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit