Evaluation of a published qualitative study;

Sanders, B. (2005) 'In the club: ecstasy use and supply in a London club', Sociology 39 (2): 241-258

Word limit: 3000 words (+/- 10%)

With reference to relevant methodological literature and debates, your task is to write:

i) a brief overview of the research aims, a description of the methods used, and the main findings reported in the paper that you have selected;

ii) a discussion of why a qualitative research approach has been chosen for the research question/s posed in the study;

iii) an extended evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the method/s used in the research, focusing in particular on its/their appropriateness to the project's key research question/s and the robustness of the claims made in the article;

iv) a consideration of the potential contribution that another qualitative method could make to the research in question, discussing its strengths and weakness.

(Spend less time on (i) point, you can give a brief overview in the introduction;

Understanding dynamics of a research question; to suggest the writer what other methods he could use; to talk about all the methods the writer used in his article; in the (ii) point do describe what is a Qualitative Method and in points (ii, iii and iv) to give the evaluation)

Marking Criteria:

The following marking criteria will be used in assessing your essay:

• understanding of the implications of the assignment task
• level of understanding of the research study reported
• degree of analytic competence in evaluating the methods used in the research study and proposing another method
• ability to make links to wider methodological approaches and debates
• structure and sustenance of arguments
• presentation and accurate referencing