Course summary

MSc Social Research and Policy will help you to develop: • A critical awareness of the economic, socio-cultural and political contexts that influence the practice of social research in various fields (i.e. academic, non-governmental, business, government & policy, media & creative industries). • An ability to find and use reliable data for an interdisciplinary and critically informed discussion on a range of contemporary issues and social policies that impact on individuals and groups. • An ability to critically evaluate and assess evidence, impact & outcomes, and to identify the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of trustworthiness, validity, authenticity, and re-liability that inform such claims. • An ability to reflect on the real-life implications of social research designs and qualitative & quantitative methodologies in addressing socio-cultural, economic, and political issues and inequalities in diverse contexts. • An ability to apply social research principles and skills in real-life settings, working both independently and collaboratively, to deliver ethically and academically robust research projects. • The course includes the option of a dedicated work placement module and associated dissertation. Students not requiring this kind of work placement can choose to undertake a more substantial investigative research dissertation project, on a topic of relevance to them. This may indeed be based on extant or prior employment, but does not depend on a formal work placement module commitment.