Introduction To Social Research (MA Education Route)

Course Code: MMAEDU_05

Masters Level Module

This module is taught online and is composed of a series of guided activities which will help you to learn about the theory and practice of research in a step-by-step way. Students are able to bring their own research-related interests to the module which can be explored in preparation for your dissertation. Students first familiarise themselves with their co-students and identify areas of common interest and expertise which they can explore further as they progress through the module. Individual and group activities enable students to examine some of the assumptions underlying different approaches to research, to identify a possible topic for a small-scale piece of research (such as that for a dissertation), and to consider what research design and which research methods might best meet their research-related needs. Guidance is provided on preparing the overarching research questions of a study, identifying which research designs and methods might best provide answers to those questions, exploring ethical issues, and structuring and preparing a research proposal for a small-scale study. Throughout the module, students are first invited to identify what they already know about research, to learn from key research texts and then to share their learning with their co-students.

This module is assessed by a three-hour written examination. Students must also submit a portfolio of their online responses.

It is recommended that students taking this module have access to a hard copy of the course text book: Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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