Course description
This course is hosted by the Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School. The Graduate School website provides a communication hub for students and staff engaged in research, information about our research work, and useful contact information.
During this course we introduce you to social research methods and strategies, and the supporting theories and philosophies. You can also develop areas of specialist interests.
It is for people with a first degree in social sciences who plan to
• work in areas of social policy and sociology or
• carry out research in these and related subject areas
In some modules, you meet and discuss research issues with students from other MA/MSc Social Science Research Methods (SSRM) courses.
Our staff are currently involved in research areas including
• labour market and occupational studies
• health policy
• discourse and identities
• European, international and comparative politics and policy
• heritage and environment policy and practice
• visual ethnography
• sacred sites and pagan spirituality
• education and social class
• poverty and inclusion
• ethnicity and religion
• media
• social activism
• illness and medicines usage
• sexualities and gender
• violence and society
• teenage pregnancy and parenting
• carers and employment
• work and family life
You study a range of research methods including • biographical research • case study • ethnography • experimental design • media analysis • survey design and analysis.
Associated careers
This course gives you the skills needed to carry out independent research. You learn to consider the research problems and associated ethical issues and select a suitable approach. The skills and knowledge you gain are in great demand by many organisations.
Our previous graduates have begun various careers including
• staff nurse for BMI General Healthcare – Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield
• research administrator – Graduate Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
• high executive officer – Department for Education and Employment, Sheffield
• trainee probation officer – National Probation Service, Nottingham
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)
• social theory and social research (30 credits)
• research designs for the social sciences (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
