2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MA Social Research (Interdisciplinary)

Total credits: 180

Entry requirements:

Candidates must hold an award of 1+3 ESRC funding from the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership to be accepted onto the programme

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Sociology and Social Policy

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

School of Sociology and Social Policy

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

There is no relevant PGT-level QAA benchmark statement. However the ESRC Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines (2015) are a key external reference point. The research-focused modules that are core to the MA in Social Research (Interdisciplinary) - A new module 'Researching Society and Culture' has been written for this programme and the Qualitative and Quantitative Research Modules - are being developed and redesigned in response to these guidelines.
The School will build upon its existing strengths in research-led teaching of Social Research methods to meet and provide high quality social science training research required by ESRC. Our aspiration is to be recognised as a centre of best practice in the delivery of advanced level social science methods training to Masters level students and post-graduate research students.

Programme specification:

The programme will be taught by experts across the social science disciplines and fields. This interdisciplinary degree will introduce students to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research. Staff teaching onto this programme are also methodological innovators, having interests in big data, data analytics, data archiving, visual methods and social media research, realist research and evaluation methodologies, qualitative logitudinal research, quantitative methods, and techniques that are inclusive and empowering of marginalized groups. Our research and expertise will inform the content, opportunities and possible areas of study for students undertaking this training.

This innovative programme of learning and teaching aims to provide students with a thorough and critical understanding of a wide range of social research strategies, and of information relevant to social research practice. This includes the significance of different theoretical and epistemological bases of social research, and the relation of the social research enterprise to key concerns and debates within the social sciences. It aims to familiarize students with issues in the relationships between research, practice and policy, and in the use and dissemination of social research.

Students will have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and mastery of a portfolio of 'hands on' methodological skills, knowledge and competencies, incorporating quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, and to demonstrate an understanding of the evaluation and application of these methods. Students will be required to demonstrate the ability to design and execute a piece of social research, making practical use of methodological knowledge and skills developed in the programme, and to formulate a rigorous and independent argument on the basis of that research and its methodology.

The 'Researching Society and Culture' module in particular, will also support students to develop and reflectively assess the professional skills that are expected of effective researchers in the social sciences. Emphasis will be given to enhancing student's capacities for independent learning and their abilities to work in a manner that ensures continuing professional development. They will be supported to develop self-direction and effective decision-making within the research process and to engage critically with professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms. Further, they will receive training in research and project management, including interdisciplinary working; advanced library and bibliographic skills; the application of ethical good practice across the research process; understanding 'impact' and pathways to impact; issues relating to publication, including intellectual property rights and open access; and communication/presentation skills.

After completion of this programme students should have the necessary competencies to embark upon PhD research in the social sciences.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING AGREEMENT:

The Home School (the School in which the student intends to undertake their doctoral research) will appoint a personal tutor/academic advisor (the intended PhD supervisor) who will guide the student through the programme, and in particular, work with the student to choose the optional modules that are appropriate to that student, given their previous research training and intended thesis topic. The basis and outcome of this discussion will be recorded in an individual learning agreement.

Candidates will be required to study 45 credits of optional modules, including at least 15 credits of Research Methods modules and a 60 credit research project module in the home School. A wide range of optional module choices are available across the social sciences. You will be issued with an optional module guide which explains the available choices before you begin your programme.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the follow compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to 45 credits of optional modules including at least 15 credits of Research Methods modules.

In additional candidates will be required to study a 60 credit research project module in the School in which they will undertake their doctoral research.

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits of optional modules.

Candidates will be required to study 15 credits of Research Methods modules.

Candidates will be required to a 60 credit research project module.

Last updated: 16/10/2017

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