Social Research and Evaluation (Evaluation) (Postgraduate Certificate)

Overview

We aim to enable students to develop skills in effective social research and evaluation design and implementation. Students will critically appraise evaluation and social research within its original context - whether academic, policy-oriented or practical - and for its usefulness for further studies or problem solving. The course provides a thorough grounding in pure and applied research methods and ensures an awareness of the practical considerations necessary in planning and disseminating research and evaluation. Students develop an appreciation of the methodological, epistemological, ethical and political aspects of research and evaluation.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/fass/

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

Applications are accepted from students from a variety of backgrounds. Applicants will usually have a good first degree in a social science or related discipline. However, the overriding criterion is the ability to demonstrate a knowledge base, academic skills and motivation. Holders of professional qualifications from a relevant area of practice, for example education, housing, health, social work or practical work experience in a relevant area including data handling, information management and other research related-activities are encouraged to apply. Applicants who wish to convert from other disciplines will also be favourably considered.

Course contents

Course contents

The MSc Social Research consists of six taught modules and a dissertation. Three modules are common to both the MSc Social Research and MSc Social Research and Evaluation:

• Social Research: Principles and Practice of Social Research
• Survey Design and Practice
• Qualitative Research

MSc Social Research and Evaluation students focus on evaluation in two modules:

• Evaluation: Strategies and Frameworks
• Evaluation: Principles and Practice

Optional modules (choose one):

• Urban Patterns and Spatial Analysis
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Collecting Life Histories
• Researching Communities
• Sociology of the Visual
• Researching Gender
• Researching Communications
• Social Structures and Policies

PG Diploma Evaluation

• Social Research: Principles and Practice
• Survey Design and Analysis
• Qualitative Research
• Evaluation Strategies and Frameworks
• Evaluation Principles and Practice
• One optional module

PG Certificate Evaluation

• Social Research: Principles and Practice
• Evaluation Strategies and Frameworks
• Evaluation Principles and Practice

There is also a related PG Certificate in Participatory Research - more details of this course can be found here.

Dissertation

MSc students also submit a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. Subject to requirements relating to originality, you may choose to base your research on the work of an agency in which you are employed.

For a description of the modules for the various Postgraduate Certificates and Postgraduate Diplomas, please see www.londonmet.ac.uk/lhpg/new or contact the Admissions Office.

Read more details about the modules

Assessment
Assessment methods are varied and include preparing research proposals, designing questionnaires and surveys, analysing data, critical reviews of research, using software packages, essays, and independent research leading to the dissertation.

Careers

After completing one of these courses, students will be well equipped for a wide range of careers requiring social research and evaluation skills, including work in public and voluntary sector organisations and universities. For some students the MSc will be a stepping-stone to PhD research.

Student profiles

"When I left the University of Oxford I was looking for an MSc that would offer me a good mix of the practical and theoretical, which this course successfully provided.
I was able to take part in 'real' research projects and found learning from practising researchers among the staff and my classmates invaluable. Possessing the qualification has certainly helped me to find employment as a research officer for the Institute for Volunteering Research."
Georgina Brewis, Graduate

Read another student profile: Sam Opio Ogentho