2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue
MA Social Research (Part-Time)
Programme code: | MA-SOC/RES-P | UCAS code: | |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: | 24 Months | Method of Attendance: | Part Time |
Programme manager: | Dr Nick Emmel | Contact address: | n.d.emmel@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 180
Entry requirements:
2:1 BA Hons in the Social Sciences or related discipline
English language requirements as directed by School Policy
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 MA Examination Board
Programme specification:
This course will appeal to people who are looking for an advanced theoretical and practical training in social research methods and who would like to apply their training to real-world problems. Graduates go on to work in government agencies, quasi-governmental, national and international non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit and private-sector organizations where they design, implement and deliver social research. The course also offers a rigorous foundation for PhD studies in the Social Sciences. It has been designed to meet the guidelines for post graduate training for social research developed by the Economic and Social Research Council.
The MA Social Research will provide students with highly marketable skills in qualitative techniques (e.g. interviewing, focus groups), quantitative techniques (e.g. surveys and social statistics) and mixed-method research. The programme focuses upon real-world research and evaluation problems. Students will learn about the underlying philosophical and methodological foundations of social research as well as the practical application of social research methods. They will have the opportunity to specialize, drawing upon the extensive and internationally recognized research and methodological expertise of academic staff across the University of Leeds, and researchers and users of research from public, not-for-profit, and private sector organizations.
The programme will be taught by experts in realist research and evaluation methodologies, qualitative longitudinal research and techniques that are inclusive and empowering of marginalized groups. Staff teaching onto this programme are also methodological innovators, having interests in big data, data analytics, visual methods and social media research. Our research and expertise will inform the content, opportunities and possible areas of study for students undertaking the MA Social Research.
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 an elective pathway in sociology, social policy, gender studies or disability studies amongst other areas of expertise within the School. 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 and qualitative 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.
After completion of this programme students should have the necessary competencies to embark upon PhD research in the social sciences.
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
- Understand a philosophy of research methods to inform the principles of research design and
strategy, including how to formulate research questions which are amenable to empirical investigation, and design methods of investigation, data collection, analysis and dissemination to address these questions;
- Apply a broad range of research methods, (including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods), and the use of appropriate software for their application);
- Develop advanced research skills and techniques relevant to specific areas of study and special es relevant to specific areas of study and specialisation;
- Consider and apply good ethical practice across the entire research process.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
SLSP5301M | Researching Society and Culture | 30 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SLSP5307M | Quantitative Research Methods | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5308M | Qualitative Research Methods | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules in year 1 or 2:
SLSP5141M | Contemporary Social Thought | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5216M | Social Policy, Politics and Disabled People | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5302M | Contested Bodies | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5304M | Que(e)rying Sexualities | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5305M | Social Policy Analysis | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5306M | Social Policy Debates | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5309M | Policy and Programme Evaluation | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5311M | Disability and Development | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5315M | Power, Critique & Global Transformations | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5316M | Sociology of Media and Culture | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5355M | Inequalities: Exploring causes, Consequences and Interventions | 30 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), 1 Sep to 31 Jan (Adv pre 2223) | |
SLSP5360M | Researching Inequality in the Media | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5370M | Reality TV: Truth or Fiction? | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Year2 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
SLSP5314M | Understanding Society and Culture | 30 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study one of the following dissertation projects:
SLSP5400M | Dissertation | 60 credits | 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) | |
SLSP5410M | Applied Project | 60 credits | 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) |
Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following list of optional modules in year 1 or 2:
SLSP5141M | Contemporary Social Thought | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5216M | Social Policy, Politics and Disabled People | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5302M | Contested Bodies | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5304M | Que(e)rying Sexualities | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5305M | Social Policy Analysis | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5306M | Social Policy Debates | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5309M | Policy and Programme Evaluation | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5311M | Disability and Development | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5315M | Power, Critique & Global Transformations | 15 credits | Not running in 201920 | |
SLSP5316M | Sociology of Media and Culture | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5355M | Inequalities: Exploring causes, Consequences and Interventions | 30 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), 1 Sep to 31 Jan (Adv pre 2223) | |
SLSP5360M | Researching Inequality in the Media | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SLSP5370M | Reality TV: Truth or Fiction? | 30 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 04/07/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD