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Course modules

This course offers rigorous multi-disciplinary training in traditional and innovative research methods and enables you to develop an advanced critical appreciation of key methodological debates and acquire practical skills of undertaking research. Students are assessed through coursework and there are no exams.

Research Designs, Practice and Ethics - The module provides an overview of the main approaches in health research and research in the social sciences more broadly, introducing students to key concepts and enabling students to understand the principles of research design and strategy and quality assurance. The module emphasises the centrality of ethics, providing a critical introduction to the role of ethics in research and to the ESRC Framework for Research Ethics

Foundations in Qualitative Research – The module provides an overview of what is involved in planning, carrying out, writing up and evaluating qualitative research. Through a review of traditional and novel research methods (interviews, focus groups, observation, visual methods, ethnography, netnography, documentary analysis, etc.), the module enables students to make informed decisions about methods of qualitative data collection and analysis, including through the use of relevant software. Students learn how to design a data collection tool and how to conduct qualitative data analysis.

Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Methods – This module centres on concepts, application and interpretation of quantitative research methods used in health and the social sciences. Students are taught principles underpinning data collection and the creation of a quantitative dataset as well as tools of statistical analysis and interpretation.

Health and Wellbeing Through the Life Course - The module enables students to be well-informed of the latest thinking and ideas in the field of health, including subject knowledge, key concepts, theoretical traditions and research methods. It enables students to investigate social justice aspects of health, including health inequalities.

Understanding Research Strategies and Approaches in the Social Sciences – This module aims to develop students’ awareness and understanding of the philosophical and theoretical assumptions, including ontological and epistemological commitments, underpinning different approaches to health and social research. It enables students to consider the equality, diversity and inclusion implications of research approach and research design

MSc Social Research Dissertation – This module requires students to undertake a health and wellbeing related research project which typically entails the collection and analysis of data. Students can typically choose their own topic area. In addition to the dissertation of 15,000 words, students create stakeholder engagement plans and ways of disseminating their research findings.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is undertaken through lectures, seminars and workshops, accompanied by more flexible online learning in two modules. Students are expected to undertake self-directed study in all modules but especially in the Dissertation where students are guided through one-to-one supervision.

Assessment in taught modules is undertaken through traditional academic coursework such as essays and reports and through practical assessments such as creating a research proposal or interview topic guide; and students are given opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge in written and spoken form. There are no formal exams.

For the MSc Social Research (Health) (180 credits) you will complete a dissertation of 15,000 words and associated assignments. The Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) may be awarded on completion of 120 credits from taught modules, or a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) on completion of 60 credits.

Academic expertise

The course provides high quality methodological training to master’s students who wish to undertake research in their professional work or who wish to undertake a PhD. It is particularly suitable for people working in health and social care and is taught by a team of social scientists with extensive experience in teaching health professionals.

The course enables you to acquire a firm academic foundation in research methodology in the field of health as well as specific skills to support the transition into research practice such as the ability to analyse qualitative data (e.g. interview transcripts) and statistical datasets and the ability to disseminate research findings effectively.

The programme covers qualitative and quantitative methods, an overview of the research process as a whole and the philosophical considerations underpinning research design and practice. It teaches you a wide range of concepts and enables you to engage with interdisciplinary and mixed methods research.

The course equips you with an in-depth appreciation and application of ethical principles in research, a consideration of ways of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into research and a sound understanding of various techniques of quality assurance in research.

The course is available to students with NIHR INSIGHT studentship awards in the East Midlands.

The course forms part of the training provision of the Midlands Graduate School Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership.

The course is taught by staff from a range of disciplines who have a strong track record in research publication and leadership.

Particular areas of research expertise include:

• Communication in healthcare
• Arts and humanities in health and healthcare
• Health policy and health service reform, including Integrated Care Systems
• Cross sector collaboration
• Health inequalities and ethnicity
• Parental mental ill-health
• Mental health literacy and resilience
• Creative methodologies in health research
• Equality diversity and inclusion in research
• Chronic conditions
• Eating disorders
• Cognitive processes and use of language

Our staff group includes:

Professor Iain Williamson – expertise in qualitative methods and reflexivity

Dr Kaitlyn Zavaleta and Dr Zaqia Rahman - Methodological expertise in quantitative methods and statistics

Professor Cathy Herbrand – Expertise in qualitative methodology

Professor Brian Brown and Dr Scott Yates - Expertise in research paradigms, philosophy and designs.  

Dr Sally Ruane  (Associate Professor) - Subject specific research expertise and expertise in qualitative methods.