Social Research (Education) MA

Core modules Philosophy of Social Science Research

The module considers fundamental philosophical debates about what counts as ‘knowledge’ across the social sciences. Teaching addresses (natural) science as a method of obtaining knowledge and the interpretative tradition in the social sciences. Students explore fundamental philosophical debates about what counts as ‘knowledge’ across the social sciences and apply these discussions to their own disciplines and field of study.

The module introduces students to social science research designs and ethical issues in research practice. Learning supports students to be able to make strategic choices when developing their own projects, and to assess the design and research ethics decision making in others’ published research work.

Concepts, methods and skills central to quantitative research, including data collection approaches and concept operationalization, are core throughout this module. Building on a grounding in ideas relating to probability sampling, sampling error and statistical inference, coverage of techniques extends from comparisons of means and simple cross-tabular analyses to a discussion of multivariate analysis approaches, focusing on linear and logistic regression.

Qualitative research is examined across a range of topics, from different approaches and methods including ethnographic and observational research, discourse and conversation analysis, documentary and archival analysis, participatory research and the use of interviews. Ethics in qualitative research is specifically considered, as is the evaluation of qualitative research.

You will take a minimum of four elective modules from the following list (10 credits each)*:

• From Multiple Linear to Logistic Regression
• Documentary Research
• Factor Analysis
• Narrative Research
• Policy Evaluation
• Introduction to Econometric Software
• Analysing Hierarchical Panel Data
• Case Study Research Design
• Q Methodology - A systematic Approach for Interpretive Research Design
• Approach to Research on Discourse
• Visual Research Methods
• Introduction to Time Series Regression
• Questionnaire Design
• Role of Thinking

In addition, you will write a 12,000-word dissertation (60 credits).

*The modules listed on our website may occasionally be subject to change. For example, as you will appreciate, key members of staff may leave the University and this might necessitate a review of the modules that are offered. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you make other choices.