MA-Postgraduate Diploma-Postgraduate Certificate Applied Social Research (Business and Management)
ObjectivesMA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Applied Social Research (Business and Management) Course information for entry in 2008/09 Course code: L9N112 Applications University Level: Postgraduate Faculty: Built and Natural Environment Campus: Frenchay Duration: MA 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time, or on a module by module basis. Postgraduate Diploma nine months full-time, 21 months part-time. Delivery: Part-time, Full-time Programme leader: Dr Philip Cox Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83429 E-mail: Philip.Cox@uwe.ac.uk Further information Introduction As part of the University's commitment to the further development of graduate studies at UWE, a cross-Faculty taught postgraduate MA programme has been developed as an introduction to social science research. Building on the ESRC '1+3' recognition of the Faculty of the Built Environment, this new programme has been designed to meet ESRC's generic social science research training guidelines and appropriate subject and discipline guidelines in the participating faculties. The programme is intended for graduates who wish to increase their theoretical and practical knowledge of social research. It is suitable for graduates wishing to pursue research careers in the public or private sector, for those wishing critically to approach the research findings of others, or those wishing to prepare themselves for doctoral study (PhD). Students register on one of the following pathways within the programme: Built Environment; Business and Management; Education; Health and Social Care.
Entry requirementsApplicants normally have a good first degree. We also welcome applications from those without such a qualification, including those with professional qualifications, who might be in a position to complete and benefit from the programme.
Academic titleMA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Applied Social Research (Business and Management)
Course descriptionContent
The programme consists of two 30 credit (Level M) common cross-faculty modules that introduce students to the broad field of social science research. These are taught by researchers drawn from across the University and provide an opportunity for contact with students from other social science disciplines at UWE.
Research Practice
This cross-faculty module of taught sessions and practical workshops provides an introduction to the methodological and epistemological base of social science research, its relationship to social theory and its socio-economic contexts. It explores the way in which the construction of knowledges (epistemologies) are both the products of methodological approaches to social research, and also the rich contexts within which research takes place. The module emphasises the need for reflexivity within the research process. It recognises that research depends not only on intellectual skills but also on the practical and professional skills essential to the proper and ethical conduct of research. These practical sessions include the development and design of research proposals, management of the research process, approaches to writing and dissemination.
Research Methods
This cross-faculty workshop-based module concentrates on the practical issues surrounding the process of social science research. It aims to sharpen awareness of the quality of evidence deployed in academic debates, to increase understanding of the issues involved in adopting qualitative and quantitative methods of research and to provide students with practical skills of data generation and analysis. Specific analytical workshops deal, for example, with large secondary datasets, multivariate statistical analysis, and computer-based qualitative analysis.
Pathway-specific training modules (Business and Management)
Ways of Knowing - advanced theory for application to business and management problems.
Option module - students take 30 credits from the existing suite of Master's modules offered by the Bristol Business School in their own area of intended expertise.
Dissertation
This 60 credit module provides the opportunity to engage in an extended research project. Each student is allocated a research supervisor who in most cases will be the personal tutor who has supported the student throughout the programme. Research skills acquired in previous modules are practised and applied to individual research interests. Students are supported in conducting their research in a way consistent with both professional practice and research ethics, and to communicate their research findings in written form to both academic and non-academic audiences. Students wishing to apply for future PhD study may wish to use the dissertation to carry out a pilot study, or to explore a specific related area of interest.