MA Research Methods (Education)

Description

This course delivers high-quality research methods training, including practical experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis software packages and detailed analysis related to research epistemology and the philosophy of social science. 

The course is suited to those hoping to later pursue a research degree (usually PhD) but who do not meet the research methods training entry requirements, as well as those who wish to apply for an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship, as the course is recognised by the ESRC for 1+3 funding. 

The course is a cross-faculty course and modules are taught within the School of Education, the School of Applied Social Sciences (Sociology) and the Department of Psychology. This provides you with the opportunity to come into contact not only with researchers from different disciplines but also with other students studying research methods in different disciplines across the Social Sciences.

 Core Modules

• Research Design and Process (15 credits)
• Perspectives on Social Research (15 credits)
• Experiments in Education (15 credits)
• Research Methods in Education (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Either:

•  Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)

Or: 

• Fieldwork and Interpretation (15 credits)

Either: 

• Statistical Exploration and Reasoning (15 credits)

And: 

• Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)

Or: 

• Applied Statistics (30 credits).

 Optional Modules

15 credits from: 

• Philosophy of Social Research (15 credits)
• Categorical Data Analysis with SPSS and R (15 credits).

Course Learning and Teaching

Teaching is offered through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will take part in a range of learning activities, including reading, discussion, presentations, criticising existing research, analysing and interpreting data, designing experiments, search literature and synthesising the results of multiple studies. Each module is assessed with an assignment (3,000) words for a 15-credit module and a dissertation of 12,000 words.

English Language requirements

Please check requirements for your subject and level of study.

How to apply

http://www.durham.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities in education are wide and include classroom teaching, educational leadership and management, administration and policy development.

For further information on career options and employability, including the results of the Destination of Leavers survey, student and employer testimonials and details of work experience and study abroad opportunities, please view our department web pages. 

Visit the MA Research Methods (Education) page on the Durham University website for more details!