82. Risk and Society. Reflective Account
The reflective account provides you with the opportunity to consider the sociology of risk in respect of your particular area of interest and to reflect on your methodological approach to the study of your chosen area of risk.
1. THE AIMS OF YOUR RESEARCH: (up to 4 bullet-pointed aims) (possibly 100 words)
2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND PUBLISHED WORK: (possibly 700 words)
With references to published work you need to demonstrate your knowledge of theories of risk and understanding of your chosen topic thus you must include discussion of
The differences between theoretical approaches to risk
The particular theoretical approach you used for your study
Why your research is located within this theoretical approach
The particular focus of your study. How the study of the sociology of risk enhances our understanding of this area
YOUR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH: (possibly 700 words)
With reference to published work you need to demonstrate your knowledge of social research methods.
• Discussion of the reasons for methodological approach you chose. Which other methods did you consider? Why did you reject them?
• Empirical research related issues/problems (e.g. related to sampling, access to data, coding and analysis)
4. EVALUATION (possibly 500 words)
• Your appraisal of whether your aims were achieved
• If you could do your study again how would you do it? What would you change? What would you keep the same? Why?
• What are the most important lessons that you have learned about doing empirical research from undertaking this research?
• What are the most important lessons that you have learned about your understanding of risk from undertaking this research?
5. IN ADDITION TO THE WORD LIMIT YOU MUST INCLUDE
A bibliography
Appendices
Appropriate examples of your data collection instrument (e.g. blank questionnaire or interview schedule if you have used either of these), or the data (e.g. media texts, if used)
You can include any other appendices that you feel are relevant.