Keele University Prospectus Postgraduate | 2016 | Page 74
SOCIAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY
Social Science
Research Methods
Overview
Our MRes in Social Science
Research Methods offers subject
routes in Criminology, Education,
Gerontology, Health Policy,
Management, Social Work and
Sociology. The programme is
designed to provide training in
a range of research skills and
methodologies essential to the
systematic research practice
demanded in many professional
environments, or to pave the
way to further postgraduate
study. As such the programme
is open to graduates looking to
pursue an academic or research
related career and those seeking
to enhance their practical social
research skills for professional
purposes. Modules are taught
by experts in their field and will
introduce concepts and skills
that will enable you to pursue an
independent research project of
your choice.
Additional information
The MRes programme requires
satisfactory completion of 180
credits, comprised of modules
up to 120 credits, plus a 15,000
to 20,000 word dissertation
worth 60 credits. Taught modules
consist of face to face contact
between staff and students,
supported by online content,
while the independent subject
specific training modules and
the dissertation are supported
by regular individual supervision.
There are a broad range of
assessment methods to evaluate
your analytical abilities and your
critical engagement with relevant
debates, approaches, theories,
scholarship and evidence.
These include portfolios, essays,
research proposals, reviews,
reports, exams, learning plans,
pilot studies and the dissertation.
Written assignments for taught
modules vary in length from
1,500 word reports to 5,000 word
personal development portfolios.
Key Information
Course type
MRes, postgraduate
diploma, postgraduate
certificate
Mode of study
Full-time or part-time
Entry
requirements
• Principles of Social
Science Research
Applicants require a
second-class honours
degree (2.1 or above)
in a relevant social
science subject. However,
students from different
backgrounds who
believe they have the
capacity to undertake
postgraduate work in the
social sciences should
contact us to discuss their
situation. Applicants for
whom English is a second
language will need at
least 6.5 in IELTS test
scores (or equivalent).
• Quantitative Research
and Data Analysis
Contact email
Module titles
Those taking taught modules
only, without producing a
dissertation, may qualify for a
postgraduate award (30 credits),
a postgraduate certificate
(60 credits) or a postgraduate
diploma (120 credits).
You will study the following
core modules:
• Research Skills and
Researcher Development
• Qualitative Research Methods
[email protected]
• Subject-Specific Training I
• Dissertation
The following is a list of indicative
elective modules:
• Subject-Specific Training II
• Advanced Quantitative
Data Analysis
• Advanced Qualitative
Research Methods
• Ethnographic Research
Good to know
74
www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/
mressocialscienceresearchmethods
Modules can be
tailored to your
individual research
interests.