ObjectivesThe MA in Research Methods will equip you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills required to carry out in-depth research in Social Work using a variety of methodological approaches and research techniques.
Entry requirementsThis course will be of particular interest to those preparing for doctoral studies.
Academic titleMA Research Methods Social Work
Course descriptionResearch Methods Social Work (MA)
Course overview
Course Content
The aim of the programme is to equip students with the theoretical understandings and practical skills required to carry out independent research using a variety of methodological approaches and research techniques.
By the end of the course, students will:
Be familiar with the range of methods used by researchers in health, social work or the social sciences
Understand the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of these methods
Be able to make an informed choice about which methods are appropriate for answering particular questions
Be competent to design and carry out research using a range of different methods of data collection and analysis
Have a clear grasp of the ethical and political issues which arise in research in health, social work or the social sciences
Be able to frame research in relation to the theoretical and conceptual issues which arise in the subject areas in which they are working
The taught component of the programme consists of 120 credits taken over one year for full time students and two years for part-time students. In addition to the core modules which account for 80 credits, students will also take two 20 credit subject specific modules and 60 credit dissertation.
Course Structure
The taught component of the programme consists of 120 credits taken over one year for full- time students and two years for part-time students. In addition to the core modules which account for 80 credits, students will also take two 20 credit subject specific modules.
MA in Research Methods Full-time
Semester One
Research Design and Practice 10 credits
Philosophy of Social Science 10 credits
Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis 20 credits
Subject specific module 20 credits
Semester Two
Qualitative Research: Issues and Methods 10 credits
Applied Qualitative Methods 20 credits
Subject specific module 20 credits
Graduate School Courses on-going throughout the programme 10 credits
Dissertation on-going throughout the programme 60 credits
MA in Research Methods Part time
Year 1
Semester One
Research Design and Practice 10 credits
Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis 20 credits
Semester Two
Qualitative Research: Issues and Methods 10 credits
Subject specific module 20 credits
Year 2
Semester three
Philosophy of Social Science 10 credits
Subject specific module 20 credits
Semester four
Applied Qualitative Methods 20 credits
Graduate School Courses on-going throughout the programme 10 credits
Dissertation on-going throughout the programme 60 credits
Assessment
Each module is individually assessed. The assessments enable students to demonstrate a range of research skills including critical analysis through essay; report writing; group work; oral presentations; project development and completion.
The 15,000 word dissertation will be a research proposal consisting of a literature review and research work that is relevant to the students own discipline area. Each student will have an individual supervisor who will oversee the dissertation.
Assignments will be marked and moderated internally, and marks will be subject to approval from the External Examiner.