Postgraduate Taught

This MRes in Social Science Research Methods prepares students for a research-related career by providing a structured programme of training in a range of research skills and methodologies, to enable students to approach a research project in a systematic and professional way.

Increasingly, students wishing to take doctoral programmes are required first to undertake a year’s research training (or equivalent), and this MRes programme will provide that preparation required to successfully complete a PhD in the normal period of three years. Until the 1990s, postgraduate research was focused exclusively on the production of an original doctoral thesis. It is now seen as part of a much broader programme of research training. While the doctoral thesis remains central and is unique for the viva voce examination, issues of research design, research methods for gathering evidence, and procedures for data analysis relevant to the student’s own academic discipline are now also included as part of the explicit research training process.

They may also comprise a separate and independent course of study to Masters Level, such as this MRes programme.

The general aims of the programme are as follows:

• To equip participants with a ‘toolkit’ for research design, consisting of a range of social science research methods and strategies
• To explore in detail the philosophical assumptions underlying contemporary research in the social sciences
• To develop the qualities needed to evaluate critically social science research
• To provide practice in a range of transferable skills, improve existing skills and enhance employability, whether in an academic context or beyond
• To apply more general methods and philosophies to the student’s own discipline and to gain an in-depth understanding of the current issues related to that discipline

The MRes is available in all the social science disciplines offered by Keele.

Applicants should be graduates normally with a good honours degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant social science subject. However, students from different backgrounds who believe they have the capacity to undertake postgraduate work in the social sciences should contact us to discuss their situation.

A Masters degree is 180 credits, made up of taught modules up to 120 credits plus a dissertation of 60 credits. Those taking taught modules only may qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits). For the MRes in Social Science Research Methods, all students are required to take the following compulsory modules:

• Philosophy of social sciences (20 credits)
• Research design and process (20 credits)
• Research skills (20 credits)
• Quantitative data analysis I (basic) (20 credits)
• Qualitative data analysis (20 credits)
• One discipline-specific module (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Where students are already skilled in data analysis, or as appropriate, it may be possible to substitute one of the following:

• Quantitative data analysis II (advanced) (20 credits)
• Advanced qualitative methods: ethnographic research (20 credits)

All students complete a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation in the area of their choice, on an approved topic. The student’s core discipline will determine which School the student registers in, the choice of supervisor, the discipline specific module and field of the dissertation topic.

Principal Fields Available for MRes Programmes The University offers this social science MRes in a number of disciplines – listed at the top of this entry. For students whose interests lie more within the Humanities disciplines, there is an MRes Humanities programme available.

Other ESRC Approved Research Training Programmes Keele has a number of other social science research training programmes many of which have been approved by ESRC under their recognition exercise as preparation for a doctoral programme. Separate course leaflets are available for these and ESRC funding may be available under their 1+3 scheme.

• Environmental Politics
• Diplomatic Studies
• Global Security
• Health Planning and Management
• Law
• International Relations
• Applied Psychological Research
• Psychological Research Methods

Assessment for modules takes a variety of forms, which may include coursework, written examinations, and a reflective personal portfolio. Written assignments tend to be of 3-5,000 words. Students must pass all the taught modules before they may proceed to the dissertation.