MA-PgDip-PgCert Social Science Research Methods (Education)
Entry requirementsEntry requirements Normally an honours degree or equivalent in a suitable subject. If you have suitable qualifications or experience you may be exempt from some modules. This allows you to gain the awards more quickly.
Academic titleMA/PgDip/PgCert Social Science Research Methods (Education)
Course descriptionOur Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School hosts this course and their website provides
• a communication hub for students and staff engaged in research
• information about our research work
• useful contact information
During this course we introduce you to social scienceresearch methods, the supporting theories and philosophies, and related policy issues in education. You can also develop areas of specialist interests.
It is suitable if you
• are working in or planning to work in education policy and practice
• carry out research in these and related subject areas
You study various research methods including • biographical research • case study • ethnography • experimental design • media analysis • survey design and analysis.
You can take individual modules as short courses or combine them towards an MA, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate. The MA includes a research-based dissertation, which may become a pilot study towards a PhD. The MA modules provide research training for PhD students in education.
For some modules, you meet and discuss research issues with students from other MA/MSc Social ScienceResearch Methods (SSRM) courses.
Your lecturers are experts involved in a wide range of research, including funded projects. These research areas include • professional development • workforce reform • early years • language and literacy • leadership and management in education • autism.
Associated careers
This course equips you with the skills to carry out independent research. To do this you need to consider the research problem and associated ethical issues then select a suitable approach. The skills and knowledge you gain are in great demand by many organisations.
Previous graduates have begun careers as a
• staff nurse for BMI General Healthcare at Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield
• research administrator at the Graduate Centre, Sheffield Hallam University
• higher executive officer in the Department for Education and Employment, Sheffield
• trainee probation officer in the National Probation Service, Nottingham
• researcher at Sheffield Hallam University
Others have moved directly into PhD research.
Course content
You need
• 60 credits for the postgraduate certificate
• 120 credits for the postgraduate diploma
• 180 credits for the MA
You chose up to 120 credits from
• qualitative research methods (60 credits)
• survey design and analysis (60 credits) or advanced quantitative research methods (60 credits)
• educational theory, policy and research (30 credits)
• designs in educational research (30 credits)
• 30 credit module from another course in our MA/MSc programme
For the MA you need to finish the postgraduate diploma and then present a 60 credit dissertation, which requires you to conduct a research investigation.
Before you can take some modules, you may have to provide evidence of study in that subject, or a related one at a lower level.