Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
Learning
outcomes/objectives
Content
Investigating and interpreting substance misuse
SS400
4
30
s
Taught, extensive (Semesters 1 & 2)
This module has the following aims:
 To introduce students to philosophical, methodological,
and ethical foundations which inform contemporary
substance misuse research;
 To identify key theoretical interpretations of addiction and
substance misuse;
 To provide understanding of qualitative and quantitative
research methods that underpin contemporary substance
misuse research

Enable students to develop research skills in the collection
and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
 To provide students with the academic skills necessary to
identify and undertake written academic argument and
debate
On successful completion of this module students will be able
to demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and critical understanding of philosophical
positions that underpin research and the implications
these have for research methodologies
2. Knowledge and critical understanding of key theories
that inform contemporary conceptions of substance
misuse and addiction
3. The ability to understand, evaluate and apply
qualitative research designs, methods and analysis
4. The ability to understand and evaluate different
quantitative research designs, and to undertake data
analysis and present results
5. Knowledge and understanding of different quantitative
approaches used in the social sciences
6. The ability to produce reasoned and supported
academic writing.
This module is extensive across two semesters. During
semester one students will be introduced to key philosophical,
ethical, and methodological foundations which inform
contemporary substance misuse research, and inform
theories/approaches to substance misuse and addiction. This
will be presented in an accessible format and students will be
encouraged and asked to critically reflect on the implications
for their approach to working in the substance misuse field
and engaging in practice that is evidence based.
During the first semester students will receive study skills
support sessions with the goal of developing their capacity for
self-directed learning and the production of academic writing.
Teaching and learning
strategies
During semester two students will be introduced to core
quantitative and qualitative methods that underpin
contemporary substance misuse research. They will develop
an understanding of research strategies and become familiar
with qualitative and quantitative research analysis techniques;
which will include the use of the Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences (SPSS)
Semester One:
A programme of 2 hour, whole cohort, group sessions that will
include lectures and seminar activities (24 hours in total), a
programme of 1 hour, whole cohort, study support sessions
(12 hours in total), and 114 hours of self-directed study as
outlined in the module handbook.
Semester Two:
A programme of 24 hours direct teaching and 126 hours
directed private study outlined in the module handbook.
In both semesters students will be encouraged, by way of
examples, to reflect upon the practical application of the
academic ideas to the substance misuse field
Learning support
Key texts
Bryman, A. 2008. Social Science Research Methods, third
edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gaarder, J. 1995. Sophie’s World: A Novel about the History
of Philosophy. New York: Phoenix
Supportive reading
Chalmers, A. F. 1999. What is this thing called Science? (3rd
Ed.) Buckingham: Open University Press.
De Vaus D A. 1996. Surveys in social research. Sydney: Allen
and Unwin.
Gilbert N. ed. 1993. Researching social life. London: Sage.
Oppenheim A. N.1992. Questionnaire design, interviewing
and attitude measurement. London: Pinter.
Pallant, J. 2010 SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide
to data analysis using SPSS, 4th edit, Maidenhead: McGrawHill.
Silverman, D. 2005. Doing qualitative research, second
edition. London: Sage
Smith, J. 1998. Social Science in Question. London: Sage
The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) will
be used for quantitative data analysis.
Study skills texts
Cottrell, S. 2008. The study skills handbook, 3rd ed.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
McMillan, K. and J. Weyers 2006 The smarter student: study
skills and strategies for success at university, Harlow:
Pearson.
McMillan, K. and J. Weyers (2007) How to succeed in exams
Assessment tasks
and assignments. Harlow: Pearson
McMillan, K. and J. Weyers (2007) How to write essays and
assignments. Harlow: Pearson.
Price, G. and P. Maier (2007) Effective study skills; unlock
your potential Harlow: Pearson.
Semester 1:
Individual presentations, within small groups, on research
articles which exemplify differing philosophical positions and
theoretical interpretations within a contemporary substance
misuse debate. (40%) (LO1, LO2)
Semester 2:
Individual presentations, within small groups, on the practical
application of qualitative research methods (30%) – the
exercise will demonstrate understanding of the principles of
different data collection methods and the application of
appropriate methods to analyse qualitative data (LO3)
Quantitative written course work (max. 800 words) (20%) –
assignment will assess understanding and evaluation of
different quantitative research designs, the use of data
analysis as well as presentation of results (LO4, LO6)
Online multiple choice exam (10%) – exam will test students’
understanding of different quantitative approaches used in the
social sciences, incorporating principles of the application of
appropriate data collection methods (LO5)
NB: All assessment tasks need to be passed to pass the
module.
Brief description of
module content and/or
aims (maximum 80
words)
Area examination board
to which module relates
Module team/authors/
coordinator
Semester offered, where
appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this
version
Version number
Replacement for
previous module
Field for which module
This module first introduces students to the philosophical,
methodological and ethical foundations that underpin
contemporary interpretations of substance misuse and
substance misuse inquiry. The module then introduces
students to the range of methods used in the social sciences
and enables students to develop the skills necessary to collect
and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data.
Paul Fox-Strangways (Module Leader); Dr Daren Britt
Semesters 1 & 2
Falmer
2 Feb 2011
2 Feb 2011
1
N/A
is acceptable and status
in that field
Course(s) for which
module is acceptable
and status in course
School home
External examiner
FdSc Substance Misuse Intervention Strategies - Mandatory
SASS
Ms Jacqui Merchant – Sept 2011- Sept 2015