Social Research Methods

MA SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (Sociology/Social Policy/ Criminology/Social Work)

WHY STUDY AT DURHAM? • Placed in the world top 100 universities (QS World University Rankings 2015/16) • Durham is ranked 2nd for overall international student experience (What Uni? Student Choice Awards 2014) •

Durham University has been named the third safest university in the country (The Complete University Guide 2016)

• Durham has a long and distinguished history in the delivery of programmes in Sociology

“I have always had a strong inclination toward the pursuit of knowledge, fact and truth. The MA in Research Methods provided me the necessary skills to succeed in such pursuits. What I learned about research design, statistics and the theoretical underpinnings of how we engage research are utilised every day in my work. Hundreds of companies purchase our research and benefit from the knowledge I gained at Durham. Additionally, I have been able to publish extensively and contribute to the canon as a result of the foundation that was set on Old Elvet.”

Luke Jason Williams; MA Social Research Methods (Sociology) 2006; Head of Research Methods Ipsos (Loyalty, USA).

Social Research Methods can be taken through 4 different named routes: • Criminology • Sociology • Social Policy • Social Work

AVAILABLE AS A PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME PROGRAMME Social Sciences encompass the examination and analysis of all aspects of social life and social relations. They explore the ways in which societies, cultures, institutions and practices came into being, how they are currently organised and constituted and how they are changing. An important element of the disciplines is the production and the analysis of evidence about the social world at all levels – from processes of globalization to the ways in which people interact socially.

Research Methods in the Social Sciences is designed to provide students with a grounding in the practice of social research to enable them to develop independent investigations of the social world. Each programme covers a range of approaches to research – not only in terms of the techniques used in social science research, but also in terms of the theoretical underpinnings of research.

Modules currently include: • Perspectives on Social Research • Statistical Exploration and Reasoning • Research Design and Process • Contemporary Sociological Theory and Social Transformation • Social Work Context and Practice • Social Policy and Society • Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science • Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science • Policy Related and Evaluation Research • Categorical Data Analysis with SPSS/R • Dissertation “I have had a wonderful time in SASS and benefitted a lot from this programme. After taking this programme, I have a deeper understanding of Social Research Methods, especially methods widely used in Sociology research. I experienced a different education system, teaching styles and colourful local culture. The most valuable lesson I learnt is that a serious attitude towards research is always the most important thing to a scholar.”

Heqin Shi MA Social Research Methods (Sociology) 2014/15 Graduate

“The programme provides the right balance between ground breaking theoretical and practical research in Social Sciences in general - and in Social Policy in particular. You get in touch with a wide range of scholars and practitioners in policy-related subjects, always ready to help to make the most of your academic or professional careers.”

José Luis Mateos MA Social Research Methods (Social Policy) 2014/15 Graduate

Get in touch: School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University, 29 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN.

Or contact the Programme Director Dr Keming Yang keming.yang@durham.ac.uk durhamuniversity

@DurhamUniversity

durhamuniversity

DurhamUniversity

ALPH/03/16/481

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1505 Email: sass.pgadmissions@durham.ac.uk www.durham.ac.uk/sass

This University publication is intended as a general guide to the University of Durham’s courses and facilities and forms no part of any contract between you and the University except as provided below. The publication is prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained here is accurate.

Although reasonable steps are taken by the University to provide the courses and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Any course may be altered or withdrawn owing to circumstances beyond the University of Durham’s reasonable control. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in Government policy, withdrawal or reduction of funding, change of Law. The University will take such steps as are available to it to minimise the effect of any alteration or withdrawal of a course. Such steps may include the offer of a place on an alternative course.

Please note that the University’s website is the most up to date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.

Durham University and Durham University logo are registered Trade Marks of the University of Durham. Unless otherwise stated, all material in this publication is copyright of the University of Durham. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the University.