MSc Applied Social Research (Social Statistics and Social Research)
University of Stirling
Key Information
Campus location
Stirling, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
12 - 24 months
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* For up to date fee information, please see website
Introduction
Social statistics and social research provide policymakers, academics and others with valuable insights into the behaviour of people. This Masters course will give you an understanding of social research, with a particular focus on quantitative methods and social statistics.
You’ll learn about social research methods and the theories behind them, while undertaking detailed training on a wide range of statistical methods. You’ll also gain a thorough knowledge of statistical software and learn a range of highly sought-after technical skills, including accessing, preparing, analysing and summarising complex quantitative datasets.
Top reasons to study with us
#1 Gain skills coveted by a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations
#2 91% overall student satisfaction for Applied Social Research - Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2022
#3 Study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional commitments
Curriculum
Course objectives
This course is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of social research, with a particular focus on social statistics and quantitative methods. It includes orientation material on social research methods as a whole, and detailed training on a wide range of statistical methods, with advanced modules on data management and emerging priority research areas, such as big data and social network analysis.
Teaching covers the theories behind the methods and training in using datasets and analysing them with statistical software. You’ll gain a variety of highly marketable skills in the areas of social research and social statistics.
Course details
Become an expert in statistical analysis and the use of social science data resources with our diverse and in-depth modules. You’ll complete 120 credits in taught modules and - for the MSc - a 15,000 word dissertation.
Teaching
Students on the MSc Social Statistics and Social Research complete taught modules during the autumn and spring semesters, and work on their dissertation project across the autumn, spring and summer semesters.
During autumn and spring semesters, most modules run one morning or one afternoon of scheduled teaching sessions each week. Scheduled teaching sessions are generally a combination of lectures and workshops. Most teaching is performed in smaller classes, often with group activities. If you're studying this course full-time, you will complete three 20-credit modules during the autumn semester. In spring, you will take two 20-credit modules and two 10-credit modules.
During autumn and spring semester you will also begin work on your dissertation, which you will complete and submit in the summer. If you choose to take the course part-time over two years, you usually study one or two modules per semester.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a variety of modes, including open-book examinations, software-based assignments, and essays.
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Program Outcome
Social statistics is an important area within applied social research, offering you opportunities in the private, public and voluntary sectors. The course is also designed to provide you with the technical skillset you need to undertake a PhD.
- Get training in powerful software systems used by industry
- Gain transferrable skills used across a huge range of organisations
- Acquire the skillset you need to undertake a PhD