MA-PgDip-PgCert Social Science Research Methods (Organisation and Management)
Entry requirementsEntry requirements Normally an honours degree, or equivalent, in a suitable subject. If you have suitable qualifications or experience you may seek exemption from some modules.
Academic titleMA/PgDip/PgCert Social Science Research Methods (Organisation and Management)
Course descriptionThis research methods course for business and management disciplines introduces you to a range of social scienceresearch methods and strategies, and the underpinning theories and philosophies.
The course allows you to develop specialist interests. It is for people who have a first degree in business and management or related disciplines and subject areas, and who
• plan to work in the fields of business and management or
• plan to conduct research which uses the methodologies of these and related subject areas
This route has Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognition as training for research students in organisation and management.
Modules are taught by staff within applied social sciences in the Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School and by staff within business and management in the Faculty of Organisation and Management. In some modules, you have the opportunity to meet and discuss research issues with students from other MA/MSc Social ScienceResearch Methods (SSRM) routes.
All staff teaching and supervising SSRM students are research active. Research areas include • business operations • financial information systems • facilities management • financial services • banking • financial accounting • management accounting • marketing • organisational behaviour • human resources • strategic management • food • hospitality management • international business • languages • leisure management • tourism.
Approaches and methods used during the course include biographical research • case study • ethnography • experimental design • media analysis • survey design and analysis.
We offer modules you can take individually as short courses or combined towards an MA, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate.
Associated careers
This course gives you the skills to carry out independent research. You learn to consider the research problem and associated ethical issues and select a suitable approach. The skills and knowledge you gain are in demand by many organisations.
Course content
All modules are credit rated. 60 credits are required for the postgraduate certificate, 120 for the postgraduate diploma and 180 for the MA.
For the MA you need to complete the postgraduate diploma then complete a (60 credit) dissertation.
You select up to 120 credits from
• qualitative research methods (two modules)
• survey design and analysis
• advanced quantitative research methods
• philosophies of business and management research
• research design and execution for business and management
Some modules have prerequisites which you must satisfy before you can take them. This usually means evidence of study in that subject, or a related one, at a lower level.
For the MA you must complete a 15,000 – 20,000 word dissertation, which requires you to conduct a research investigation.