Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) MA/Diploma

 

Employability

This course is designed for those considering research as a career.  That includes those wanting an academic career, for whom this degree is ideal preparation for undertaking a doctorate (PhD).  It also includes those seeking a research career in such areas as central government, charities and in consultancies and social research.  The degree also provides good transferable skills in evaluation and in analysing data and the ability to critique published research.

Alumni

Clare Hill

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"Birmingham appealed to me not only simply because it was my local university.  I was particularly attracted to the Institute of Applied Social Studies at Birmingham because of its established tradition of Social Work teaching, strong links with practice settings and reputation as a leading centre for research.  Having worked within the youth justice system for a number of years, I was keen not only to further my education, but also to be able to apply the knowledge which I had gained through practice experience.  The MA Social Research (social work and professional practice) allowed me to do just that, with modules specifically designed to enable students to critically explore policy and research within their own areas of interest.

Studying alongside work can be very challenging, but all of the staff whom I came into contact with were really encouraging, helping me to get the most out of my course and offering support when I needed it.  The teaching which I received was excellent and this, together with the opportunity to interact with students from differing backgrounds, meant the learning environment was great.  Throughout my time at Birmingham I have felt really valued, it's good to have a sense that you are contributing and can take a proactive role in your own and others' learning experiences.

I would whole heartedly recommend the MA Social Research (social work and professional practice) to practitioners interested in either further their knowledge of the role of research within a particular setting, or keen to undertake their own research.  The course has allowed me to develop personally and professionally; opening up a whole new world of opportunity.  The ESRC recognised research training equipped me with the skills and confidence necessary to apply for a doctoral studentship and, having been successful in my application, I am now studying full time towards a PhD.

Programme structure

The programme provides you with a sound background in research methods and the opportunity to apply these within the context of professional practice and service provision.  It is aimed at those who have practice experience in the fields of social work, health and social care or criminal justice, and are interested in undertaking an academic or research career.

The programme has ESRC recognition and offers students a rigorous and systematic social research training.  It provides the most up to date training in methods and data collection and analysis, and an opportunity to apply this to their particular areas of policy and practice interest.

The core elements of the programme are delivered by staff from across the College of Social Sciences, many of them engaged in cutting-edge research in their own fields.

Core modules

  • Introduction to Social Research
     This module aims to provide a general introduction to studying and research methods and prepares you for your disseration, emphasising key skills such as searching literature, finding datasets and presenting and criticising arguments.  It also covers ethnics of research, the role of theory and philosophical bases for understanding the social world.
  • Research Design
     This module links the introductory module and data collection module through consideration of research, design, questions, warranting practices and sampling methods.  All the elements of research design are linked into an over-arching theme of the full cycle of research activity.
  • Data Collection
     This module introduces the pricniples and practices of data collection and explores rationales of the various methods.  It will focus on the different stages of data collection including various methods used to gather textual and numerical data.
  • Data Analysis
     This module introduces students to a range of approaches for analysing and handling data.  It will include covering statistical methods for quantitative data and methodological approaches for qualitative data.  It emphasises that the method of analysis is not determined by the method of collection.
  • Researching Professional Practice
     This module enables students to explore professional practice using different research approaches and considering the role of service users and professional practitioners as stakeholders of the research.  Students are encouraged to draw on their own experiences of professional practice within social work and social care organisations.
  • Critical Perspectives on Policy and Practice
     This module looks critically at how to optimise research design within the pragmatic context of contributing most effectively to the development of policy and practice.  It will explore the research process as a whole from how it can be commissioned to how findings can most effectively be disseminated.
  • Current Debates in Social Policy and Practice
     This module provides students with an understanding of recent trends in social policy development in the UK and their implications for professional practice.

The modules on Data Collection and Data Analysis cover a wide range of approaches, including the 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' traditions, plus mixed methods.

Modules are assessed on the basis of written assignments and project work.  In many instances, students may be able to select topics that relate to their specific area of professional or research interest.

Social research (social work and professional practice) course brochure (pdf; 143KB; opens in new window)