Students take the knowledge they have gained in the "Theory and Substantive Issues in the Digital Age" (SOCIO5102) and "Practicing Research and Working with Data in the Digital Age" (SOCIO5102) into participating in a series of workshops that introduce them to the practices of doing research in different settings, develop research relations and undertake collaborative research, learn how to develop a digital object, how to communicate your research, learn to address ethics through a case-study approach that will give them the ability to apply ethics in real-world settings and gain understanding of data management and making data openly available.

The module is designed to support and create a space for students to engage with researchers who undertake digital social research so that they can learn about developing and undertaking a research project. The module involves having guest researchers who will talk about their research interests, projects, and experiences in the workshops so that students learn about doing research in practical ways. There will be two workshops with computer scientists who will support students in designing and developing a digital object, such as a website. This will deepen each student's knowledge about some of the technological issues involved in developing digital objects.

Students will take this learning into developing their own research pilot project that each student then writes up as a proposal.

5 in class sessions of 2 hrs each (weeks 1-3, weeks 9 and 10). 5 sessions of practical work

None

At least one of the 2 core courses Digital Society-Theory and Substantive Issues (SOCIO5103) or Practicing Research and Working with Data in the Digital Age (SOCIO5102) must be completed before enrolling on the Living Lab course.

The sole assessment (100% of the total module mark) will be in the form of a 4000-word research report from the Pilot Project undertaken during the module (see Living Lab section). The research report should include:

■ a critical reflection on the research and learning process underpinning the pilot project as well as the opportunities and challenges raised by collaborating with non-academic/community-based partners

■ a critical reflection on specific technologies used in the pilot as well as distinct problem-based solutions adopted throughout the research process

■ a summary of key findings and a set of practical recommendations ensuing the research.

The aim of this course is to provide students with the skills for designing and implementing research outside of the classroom. By employing a problem-based approach, the aim Is to develop four dimensions of learning: constructive, collaborative, contextual and self-directed. The course teaches research and critical skills in real research contexts. It also develops communication skills and research skills in a fully supported and supervised environment. The practical work from the Living Lab can be continued and deepened into the dissertation/final practical project.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate an extensive and detailed knowledge about the steps and preparation necessary for designing a small research project in different areas of social life where there is a strong element of digitalisation;

■ Apply a significant range of notions of project design and digital sociology in constructing a feasible plan for a pilot study;

■ Produce critically complex and empirically relevant arguments in relation to the empirical context in which the out-of-class teaching takes place;

■ Use a wide set of communicational, technological, interpersonal skills necessary in conducting research in different social environments (e.g. corporate, NGO etc.)

■ Develop an ample evaluation, in both written and oral form, of the ways in which the social processes and realities in question are shaped by digital technology.  

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.