MA Social Research

at Birmingham Business School

Core modules
 

• Philosophy of Social Science Research (20 credits)

The module will consider the fundamental philosophical debates about what counts as ‘knowledge’ across the social sciences. This will include debates around structure/agency, individualism/holism, and explanation/ interpretation. The module will consider (natural) science as a method of obtaining knowledge, and the strengths and critiques of science, as well as thinking about whether the natural sciences can (or should) be a model for the social sciences. As part of this undertaking, the module will address the interpretative tradition in the social sciences, including hermeneutics and phenomenology, in order to consider the importance of causality and meaning in social science research. 
 

• Research Design, Practice and Ethics (20 credits)

This module will introduce you to social science research designs and ethical issues in research practice. Research design consists of the choices necessary to transform a research question into actual research. These choices relate to strategies and modes of case selection, data collection and modes of analysis, and they pertain equally to qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies. 
 

• Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Method (20 credits)

This module will focus on the concepts, methods and skills central to quantitative research, including data collection approaches and concept operationalization. Building on a grounding in ideas relating to probability sampling, sampling error and statistical inference, coverage of techniques will extend from comparisons of means and simple cross-tabular analyses to a discussion of multivariate analysis approaches, focusing on linear and logistic regression
 

• Foundations in Qualitative Research (20 credits)

Qualitative research will be examined across a range of topics, from different approaches and methods including ethnographic and observational research, discourse and conversation analysis, documentary and archival analysis, participatory research and the use of interviews. Ethics in qualitative research is specifically considered, as is the evaluation of qualitative research.
 

• Advanced training modules

The Advanced Training modules which run in the summer term, are available to students registered on a variety of programmes across the College of Social Science in the University of Birmingham, including a range of masters and doctoral programmes. You will be studying different disciplines (e.g. from the four different schools: Education, Social Policy, Business, and Government), engaged in different modes of study (part-time and full-time), and studying for different qualifications (e.g. MA, PhD, and EdD).
 

Many of the modules are also available to staff and students from across the University of Birmingham. As part of our Doctoral Training Partnership role, we also welcome doctoral research students studying at other Midlands Graduate School DTP institutions, as well as other universities nationwide.
 

This list is updated regularly as new courses are approved so do check this website from time to time to see what is on offer.

• Advanced Qualitative Interviewing

• Introduction to Econometrics Software

• Approaches to Research on Discourse

• Multiple Linear to Logistic Regression

• Researching Disability

• Introduction to Time Series Regression

• Regression with Categorical Dependent Variables

• Mixed Methods Research Design

• Researching Young People

• Introduction to Causal Inference

• Policy Evaluation

• Either: A four year Bachelors degree (first class or very good upper second class)

• Or: A three year Bachelors degree (first class) from recognised institutions in India.

• For MSc programmes, the Business School will consider holders of three-year degree programmes (first class or very good upper second class) from recognised institutions in India.

• For entry to LLM programmes, Birmingham is happy to accept applications from 3 or 5 year LLB holders from India from prestigious institutions.

Fees MA Social Research  Overseas - £21,300

Many students go on to do a PhD after completing this MA. Others have followed a career in local authorities, government departments, health authorities, management consultancy, media, the voluntary sector.