1 To introduce students to the contemporary political and economic contexts for the production of social research in Universities.
2 To introduce students the key debates on the role of the social scientist and the role of social research.
3 To provide training in general research skills.
4 To provide student with an understanding of how key research methods are applied in practice.
5 To enable students to how to develop a research project through its initial stages.

(LO1) Understand the contested nature of research methods in social science

(LO2) Understand the range of epistemological and methodological steps involvedin the research process.

(LO3) Be able to plan a large research project.

(LO4) Be able to critically analyze, evaluate and review current research and scholarship

(LO5) Be aware of ethical research conduct

(LO6) Understand the political and economic forces that shape the context for social research

(S1) Research management developing a research strategy, project planning and delivery, risk management, formulating questions, selecting literature, using primary/secondary/diverse sources, collecting & using data, applying research methods, applying ethics

(S2) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S3) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

• To introduce students to the main philosophical conceptions of social science. 
• ​To examine the status of sociology as a social science
• ​To examine the link between theory and methodology within social research
• ​To examine the different forms of knowledge production within the social sciences
• ​To examine the relation between sociological knowledge and wider debates about politics and experience

​An awareness of the diversity of methods in social science and of different epistemological and ontological assumptions about knowledge that underpin social research

​An understanding of philosophical issues relating to method in social science

​An understanding of some of the contested features of method in social science, for example the question of objectivity, neutrality, standpoint, experience, interpretation, prediction, reflexivity

​An ability to critically evaluate the main philosophical debates on method in social science such as positivism, hermeneutics, critical theory, realism and constructivism.

​To apply sociological knowledge to wider debates about politics and experience

1. To introduce students to analytical techniques suitable for use with quantitative data, and enable them to use software to appropriately practice these techniques



2. ​To develop critical understanding of the value of, and difficulties posed by, quantitative analysis in the social sciences

3. ​To equip students with the skills necessary to understand and evaluate research reports which include quantitative data

4. ​To explain how quantitative techniques can be used not to just to describe the social world, but also to investigate patterns of change within this world, and potentially account for the causes of this change

​The ability to manipulate and analyse data using SPSS

​The ability to present data appropriately and clearly

​An understanding of the debates about whether quantitative data can be used to establish causal links between variables

​An appreciation of the value of different forms of quantitative data and knowledge of a range of secondary data sources

To give students practical experience in analysing real survey data using applied statistics and software

To enable students to understand implications, assumptions and caveats of applied survey data analysis and regression

To develop and enhance students’ skills in applied statistics and regression using survey data and software

To develop and enhance students skills to critically analyse and interpret data on population attitudes and statistical outputs from regression

(LO1) Ability to critically evaluate and discuss comparative research using applied statistics

(LO2) Ability to carry out bivariate statistics using software and interpret the findings

(LO3) Ability to carry out a multiple regression analysis using software and interpret the findings

(LO4) Awareness of caveats using the learned techniques

(LO5) Ability to design a short piece of research using the techniques learned in the module

(S1) Numeracy

(S2) Problem solving skills

​To demonstrate an understanding of Foucault’s use of history as a method

​To demonstrate an understanding of the role of discourse in addressing the relations between discourse and context, discourse and power and discourse and interaction

​To explain the link between Foucault’s method and the study of culture and society

​To apply Foucault’s methods to social research and social inquiry in the social sciences

1.To provide students with the skills they need to design and complete research using focus group discussions

2.To enable students to understand the ethical implications as well as the strengths and limitations of using focus groups

3.To develop students' skills in the analysis of focus group data, including verbatim transcripts of the discussions and notes of non-verbal interaction

4.To develop students' awareness of the practical issues involved in setting up and moderating focus group discussions

5.To provide students with a good understanding of methodological and theoretical literature they need to draw on to support their approach to focus group discussions

(LO1) To understand how and when focus groups could be used to research social issues, and be able to articulate the ethical implications of carrying out research in this way

(LO2) Students will understand focus group methodology and be able to design and carry out research involving focus group discussions

(LO3) Students will be able to capture and analyse data from focus group discussions, and clearly articulate their approach to analysis

(LO4) Students will be able to identify methodological texts to cite to support the academic integrity of their research and to identify how sociological theory may enhance their analysis and presentation of findings

(S1) Improving own learning/performance - Reflective practice

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking

(S4) Global citizenship - Ethical awareness

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S6) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S7) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning

1. To introduce students to Critical understandings of discourse and its place in society

2. To introduce students to the practice of Critical Discourse Analysis

3. ​To enable student''s development of Critical Discourse Analytic skills and competences

An understanding of ideas and concerns underpinning Critical Discourse Analysis

​An ability to conduct Critical Discourse Analaytic work

A critical understanding of the place of discourse in society

​Familiarity with major classical and contemporary social scentific engagements with visual data and visual analysis (theoretical and empirical)

​Ability to apply the perspectives learned in Outcome 1 to an ongoing research project (e.g thesis)

This module will provide students with an understanding of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis as radical approaches to the study of social practices grounded in work on and with interactional data. It will be of particular interest to students and researchers working across the social sciences and beyond with a specific interest in studying practice and interaction.

This module will provide an overview of ethnmethodology and conversation analysis as dynamic, analytically innovative and intellectually adventurous fields of research.

It will enable students to trace the substantial influence ethnomethodology and conversation analysis continue to have in sociology, anthropology, psychology, science and technology studies, and other disciplines besides.​

Students who take this module will​ acquire an understanding of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis as radical approaches to the study of social practices, and will do so in the course of practical work on and with interactional data. ​

As the only postgraduate short course in the UK focusing on ethnomethodology specifically, it presents a unique opportunity for students to learn about an alternative way of approaching social inquiry, one grounded in ''radical'' empirical studies.​

1. ​To plan for a Particiaptory Action Research dissertation project;

2. ​To develop an understanding of the theoretical perspectives that inform a Participatory Action Research approach;

3. ​To develop understanding of appropriate methods and activities for a Participatory Action Research approach;

4. ​To understand ethical considerations related to a Participatory Action Research approach.

​To produce a strategy for engaging in a Particiaptory Action Research project;

​Understanding Participatory Action Research within a theoretical and practice framework;

Understanding of methodology appropriate to a Participatory Action Research;

​Reflecting on the ethical issues and practical problems associated with Participatory Action Research. 

​To introduce the student to ethnographic modes of inquiry in the social sciences

To demonstrate the importance of (a) social and cultural contexts for ethnographic analysis; (b) multi-method approaches, with emphasis on participant observation; (c) ethnographic writing as an academic convention

​To provide an introduction to the field of science and technology studies, including major schools of thought, scholars and empirical concerns

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​Demonstrate an understanding of the integrated character of methods, analysis and writing in ethnographic inquiry

​Demonstrate an understanding of the role of foundational ethnographic texts in expanding the reach of science and technology within the social sciences.

​Explain key theoretical and analytical concerns and arguments

​Demonstrate an understanding of the range of methods bound up with ethnographic practice and the challenges associated with conducting ethnographic fieldwork in studies of science and technology

​Prepare and conduct a short ethnographic study within a scientific/ technological context

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​Demonstrate an understanding of the specific contributions narrative research makes to different disciplinary modes of inquiry in the social sciences

​Plan a narrative interview, and use at least one technique of analysis

​Show a grasp of a variety of modes of representing and writing up narrative research

This modules aims to attract postgraduates from all disciplines to introduce them to the theory and practice of interviews. This learning is underpinned by sociological theory and aims to provide students with an enhanced critical understanding of how different forms of interviews can be used to elicit different kinds of data. Through lectures, discussions and practical exercises, students will be enabled to develop skills to design and conduct their own interviews, and to analyse their data.

(LO1) The development of an active and critical understanding of the theories of interviews

(LO2) An appreciation of different approaches to interviewing

(LO3) The skills to prepare and thematically analyse interview data

(LO4) An understanding of how to write and present interview data

(S1) Team (group) working respecting others, co-operating, negotiating / persuading, awareness of interdependence with others

(S2) Problem solving skills

(S3) Communication skills

(S4) Ethical awareness

(S5) Adaptability

​1.      To develop an understanding of the philosophical theories and principles underpinning ethical practice in research.

2.      To develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that underpin the formal ethical review process.

3.      To develop an awareness of ethical considerations when working with the contested categories of ‘vulnerable’ groups and with sensitive topics and issues (the ethics of care).

4. To develop skills at balancing dilemmas in research ethics.

​To produce a critical review of an ethical issue(s) related to your research investigation

​To demonstrate understanding of the theoretical and regulatory issues supporting good ethical research practice

​To demonstrate how to apply these theoretical and regulatory issues in practice

​To demonstrate skills in balancing dilemmas in research ethics

1. To provide students with the skills they need to design and complete research using observation

2. To enable students to understand the ethical implications as well as the strengths and limitations of using observations

3. To develop students' skills in the analysis of field notes and other records of observational data

4. To develop students' awareness of the practical issues involved designing an observational study or incorporating observation into a wider study

5. To provide students with a good understanding of the methodological and theoretical literature they need to draw on to support their approach to conducting an observational study

(LO1) To understand how and when observational methods can be used to research social life, and be able to articulate the ethical implications of carrying out research in this way

(LO2) Students will understand observational methods and be able to design and carry out research involving observation

(LO3) Students will be able to record and analyse observational data and clearly articulate their approach to analysis

(LO4) Students will be able to identify methodological texts in order to cite to support the academic integrity of their research and to identify how sociological theory may enhance their analysis and presentation of findings

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Ethical awareness

(S3) Communication skills

(S4) Research management developing a research strategy, project planning and delivery, risk management, formulating questions, selecting literature, using primary/secondary/diverse sources, collecting & using data, applying research methods, applying ethics

​This module aims to
•    Provide an introduction to using photography and creative photographic practice as part of one’s research repertoire
•    Allow students to critically engage with theories of photography, particularly in its role as a research method
•    Instill an appreciation of visual material and the potential opportunities for using visual material in research
•    Provide students with basic professional skills in the discipline of photography

​Identify and explain major theories surrounding the photograph and the act of photography

​Recognise the value and significance of photography’s contribution to our understanding of society and social issues

​Describe and identify potential ethical issues with photography and creative photographic practice

​Synthesise theories from their core discipline and apply these to photographic practice

​Apply basic photography techniques in the development of a portfolio

1.  To develop an understanding og the philosophical theories and principles underpinning ethical practice in research.
2. To develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that underpin the formal ethical review process.
3. To develop an awareness of ethical considerations when working with the contested categories of ''vunerable'' groups and with sensitive topics and issues (the ethics of care).
4. To develop skills at balancing dilemmas in research ethics.

​To produce a critical review of an ethical issue(s) related to your research investigation.

​To demonstrate understanding of the theoretical and regulatory issues supporting good ethical research practice.

​To demonstrate how to apply these theoretical and regulatory issues in practice.

​To demonstrate skills in balancing dilemmas in research ethics.

To introduce students to key methodological concerns of working with Twitter data.
To guide students in gaining first-hand experience collecting, visualising and exploring Twitter data.
To enable students to see how to make sense of Twitter data for social scientific purposes.
To point towards a more general role for social media and digital data in social science research.​​

Understand the methodological continuities and discontinuities between social media analytics and ''traditional'' social science methods.​​

Be able to extract and visualise Twitter data using research-oriented software.​​

Be able to reflect on the methodological link between the technical aspects of Twitter analytics
research work and the social scientific findings that result.​​

Appreciate the potential for social media and digital data analytics to provide insight on social scientific research topics.​​