Objectives
The MRes has seven broad aims for students: * To review systematically, evaluate critically, and use appropriately, approaches, methodologies and philosophies of research within a chosen field; * To understand, and apply appropriately, strategies, methods, and analytical tools commonly used in research within the field; * To acquire and use analytical and thinking skills, appropriate at this level of study; * To understand and make use of the infrastructure of research, including the acquisition of bibliographic and computing skills, knowledge of appropriate ethical and legal concerns, dissemination and publishing strategies, and research proposal protocols; * To develop and deploy knowledge and capabilities necessary for employment as a professional or practitioner researcher; * To act as a foundation for PhD or professional doctorate study; To work within an active research community to develop new knowledge.
Course description
Programme Details
The degree of Master of Research (MRes) Education and Social Science provides an opportunity for new researchers and for experienced professionals to pursue a course in research methods and engage with leading-edge thinking about the topic. For those interested in pursuing doctoral study whether at EdD or PhD level, the MRes may form the first part of the study programme. However, the degree is also offered to those whose work requires the application of specialist research skills in education or the social sciences, and who have no desire to proceed any further than Master's level. This is a rigorous research-based qualification that is focussed on the needs of professionals to undertake research in both work-place, academic and professional contexts.
Special features
Key features are:
* Flexibility of study, full or part-time;
* Two week-long study schools in which participants can be residential or non-residential;
* High quality teaching accommodation on the modern Lincoln campus;
* The teaching of common and subject-specific research skills that provide a comprehensive coverage of the topic;
* The opportunity to complete a small-scale research project;
* Subject to validation, the MRes will form the first part of EdD or PhD study.
Units
The MRes Education and Social Science has the following structure:
OVERVIEW OF PHASE 1 (Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Social Science Research Methods)
This comprises one double unit (Common Research Skills 1 and 2: The Research Environment and Research Management), and one treble unit (Specialist Research Skills 1, 2 and 3: Research Design, Philosophy and Strategy). Each unit is worth 12 M-level CATS points, equating to 120 hours of work. The units will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials and private study. Assessment will involve the completion of a joint assignment for units 1 and 2, and a combined assignment for units 3, 4 and 5, requiring students to write a total of 8-10,000 words. Satisfactory completion of the assessment requirements will lead to the award of a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Social Science Research Methods.
OVERVIEW OF PHASE 2 (Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Social Science Research Methods)
This comprises one single unit (Common Research Skills 3: Communication Skills) and two double units (Specialist Research Skills 4 and 5: Advanced Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis, and Specialist Research Skills 6 and 7: Advanced Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis). Each unit is worth 12 M-level CATS points, equating to 120 hours of work. Each double unit equates to 240 hours of work. The units will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials and private study. Assessment will involve the completion of a single assignment for unit 6, and a joint assignment for either units 7 and 8 or for units 9 and 10, requiring students to write a total of 8-10,000 words. Satisfactory completion of the assessment requirements will lead to the award of a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Social Science Research Methods.
OVERVIEW OF PHASE 3 (Master in Research Education and Social Science)
The students will carry out, by independent study, an individual Research Study, and produce a dissertation of 16-20,000 words. This may consist of a development and evaluation project carried out in their own institutions, but this is not a requirement. The study is based on a total participant workload of 600 hours and is worth 60 M-level CATS points. Satisfactory completion of the assessment requirements will lead to the award of a Master in Research in Education and Social Science.
Key Features
Each unit in the MRes Education and Social Science programme will be taught through: a) hard-copy learning materials; b) lectures/seminars; c) private study; d) individual tutorials; and e) on-line communication via the University's Virtual Campus. As the programme develops, on-line learning resources, bulletin boards and discussion groups will be utilised. Each student will be allocated a personal tutor who will act as facilitator and mentor of individual learning. Teaching methods will be used which show a concern for the specific learning needs of the students, the contexts from which they come, and the different ways they learn.
Mode of Study and Assessment
Students are required to produce various assignments after completion of the units. These assignments differ in length and are formally submitted three months after the end of the relevant course unit. These assignments will vary according to unit aims and objectives as well as individual choice. However, to meet Master's level standard, the process of study used to produce an assignment should be rigorous and supported by evidence. Each assignment is required to meet all the learning outcomes for the specified unit. During the final phase of study, students are required to conduct a small-scale research project in their chosen area and write it up as a research thesis.
