Research for Public Policy and Practice MSc

This masters degree will:

• enable you to conduct and appraise systematic reviews
• evaluate the role of systematic reviews in making policy and practice decisions
• encourage you to involve policy-makers, practitioners, service users and the wider public in carrying out and using research
• examine the key principles of stakeholder involvement, and the theory and methods for its evaluation.

Features

This masters degree provides an opportunity to:

• gain a critical perspective on the role of different kinds of research in policy and practice
• develop insight into the latest developments and debates in evidence informed policy and practice
• focus on research synthesis, general research methods, or research in educational or childhood policy and practice
• make contact with experienced researchers in the field
• build your studies around your own area of interest
• take some modules online and/or on a freestanding basis.

Applicants may be eligible to apply for 1+3 funding from the Economic and Social Research Council via the Bloomsbury Doctoral Training Centre.

Who is this programme for?

Experienced researchers or graduates who would like to learn about systematic review methods and the production and use of research. We will provide you with the skills and knowledge to pursue, or further, a career in the field of social science research and evidence-informed policy and practice.

Entry requirements

A good first degree in health, education or another area of social science or social policy, or an equivalent professional graduate qualification (for example, one relating to teaching, the police force, healthcare or social work).

Core topics

• Systematic reviews for policy and practice
• Participative research and policy.

Related topics

• Methods for research synthesis
• Collecting data
• Evaluation methods and economic appraisal
• Philosophical and design issues
• Researching childhood
• Education policy
• Quantitative analysis
• Qualitative analysis
• Research and professional practice
• Introduction to social research.

How are you assessed?

By coursework assignments and a 20,000-word dissertation.

Attendance

Online learning or mixed mode (face-to-face daytime workshops with online learning).

Where do our students go?

Graduates of this masters degree are currently working as:

• project director in mobile technology for learning
• social research manager advising national government
• senior editor of systematic research reviews.

Core modules

• Participative Research And Policy
• Systematic Reviews For Policy And Practice

Recommended modules

• Evaluation Methods And Economic Appraisal
• Methods For Research Synthesis: From Meta-analysis To Meta-ethnography
• Philosophical and Design Issues
• Research and Professional Practice
• Researching Childhood
• Understanding Education Policy