MSc Applied Social Research

Program Overview

The MSc Applied Social Research program equips students with comprehensive skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation for conducting robust social research. The program emphasizes practical research methods and explores the relationship between research and policymaking. Graduates are prepared for careers in various research-related fields in the public, voluntary, and private sectors. The program is recognized by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and offers flexible learning arrangements.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Masters course equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct robust social research and evaluation. The program focuses on:

• Data Collection and Analysis: Students learn to collect, analyze, and report both qualitative and quantitative data, considering ethics, reliability, and validity.
• Theoretical Foundations: The program critically examines the theoretical underpinnings of social scientific research.
• Research and Policy: Students develop an understanding of the relationship between research and policymaking, including the concepts of evaluation, its terminology, practice, and application.

Objectives:

The MSc Applied Social Research aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to:

• Critically examine the theoretical foundations of social scientific research.
• Analyze issues related to social research design and the application of research analysis techniques.
• Develop an understanding of the relationship between research and policy, including the meanings of evaluation, its terminology, practice, and use.

Outline:

• Structure: The MSc in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules (typically six 20-credit modules) and a dissertation (worth 60 credits).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules.
• Modules: The program offers a variety of modules, with examples including:
• Research Methods:
This module covers quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Social Research Design: This module focuses on the design of social research projects, including sampling, measurement, and ethical considerations.
• Evaluation Methods: This module explores different evaluation methods, including needs assessment, program evaluation, and impact assessment.
• Social Policy and Research: This module examines the relationship between social policy and research, including the use of research to inform policy decisions.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is an independent empirical research project that may involve fieldwork activity depending on the chosen methodology.
Students receive support from a personal supervisor for any fieldwork activities.
• Course Schedule:
• Full-time:
Students typically take three 20-credit modules in both the Autumn and Spring semesters. The dissertation is completed over the Autumn, Spring, and Summer semesters.
• Part-time: Students typically take one or two 20-credit modules in each Autumn and Spring semester.
The dissertation is completed over the course of the second year.
• Fieldwork: Fieldwork activities are planned and supported by a personal supervisor.

Assessment:

• Methods: The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods across the taught modules, including:
• Essays
• Critical review essays
• Book reviews
• Research proposals
• Presentations
• Time-limited tests and exercises
• Research dissertation
• Criteria: Assessment criteria are designed to evaluate students' understanding of course concepts, their ability to apply research methods, and their critical thinking skills.

Teaching:

• Methods: Teaching methods are designed to help students develop new skills and make continuous progress.
These methods include:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Computer-based workshops
• Group work
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes a practical approach to social research, with a focus on developing students' skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the MSc Applied Social Research program are well-prepared for careers in:
• Research
• Research management
• Research commissioning
• Public sector
• Voluntary sector
• Private sector
• Opportunities: The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a wide range of research-related careers.
• Outcomes: Many graduates have entered social research-related careers in the public, voluntary, and private sectors, while others have continued their academic studies and pursued a PhD.

Other:

• Accreditation: The MSc Applied Social Research is recognized by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the research training guidelines for undertaking a PhD in Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, or Socio-legal Studies.
• Research Environment: The University of Stirling is known for its strong research environment, with a high ranking in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
• Flexible Learning: Students can study full-time or part-time, and flexible learning arrangements can usually be supported.
• Faculty Facilities: Students are affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and have access to university teaching spaces, including lecture halls, seminar rooms, and labs.

UK and Republic of Ireland: 2023/24: £7,600, 2024/25: £8,000 International (including EU): 2023/24: £17,775, 2024/25: £18,700 University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship. Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship. Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.