MA Social Research Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MA Social Research
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024			Award type			MA
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9	What level is this qualification?			7			Length of programme			12months/24 months
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			FT/PT
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			The programme will use standard University semester dates			For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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15	Awarding institution			University of York			Board of Studies for the programme			MA Social Research
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17	Lead department			SBS			Other contributing departments			Core modules: Sociology and Education Option modules: Centre for Women's Studies, Health Sciences, Politics, Sociology, Language and Linguistics, Law, Economics, Psychology & Education
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19	Language of study and assessment			English			Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus-based
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	N/A
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27	Reference points
28	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
29	Subject Benchmark Statements - Social Policy
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31	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
32	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
33	No
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35	Exceptions to Regulations
36	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
37	N/A
38	N/A
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40	Internal Transfers
41	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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43		Transfers in:	N/A				Transfers out:	N/A
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46	Statement of Purpose
47	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
48	Our MA in Social Research has been designed to develop world class, social science researchers as defined by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). You will achieve this standard by developing your understanding of the philosophy of research as well as the skills and expertise required to confidently manage the full social science research life cycle - from methodological design and data analysis, through to communication and dissemination. The programme effectively combines core methodological training with a range of thematic optional modules which provide you with the flexibility for interdisciplinary study and to explore your own specialist area of interest whilst preparing you to complete an independent research project in the Social Science field of your choice. As a result, as a successful graduate you will be in a position to conceive and lead focused, ethical, strategic research projects for local government, central government, non-governmental organisations and in the private sector, as well as preparing you to undertake a PhD.
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54	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
55	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?				Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
56	PG Cert In Social Research			No	Students will have the ability to be able to articulate research questions, identify the appropriate methodologies by which to undertake research and manage and analyse the resultant data				Three of the following modules: Research Design; Introduction to Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis; Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis; Challenge-led Social Research.
57	PG Diploma in Social Research			No	Students will have the ability to be able to articulate research questions, identify the appropriate methodologies by which to undertake research and manage and analyse the resultant data. Depending on the modules a student has successfully undertaken and passed will determine what further progress towards the PLO’s is acheived.				Research Design, Introduction to Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis; Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis, Challenge-Led Social Research and 40 credits of optional modules
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59	Programme Learning Outcomes
60	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
61	1	Make informed research decisions [such as study design, selection of methodologies] based on specialist knowledge of particular areas of Social Science combined with an appreciation of interdisciplinary debates, an awareness of different epistemological approaches, and of the impact of research on society; [knowledge].
62	2	Independently design effective research strategies by assessing the context, utility and impact of proposed research and formulating research questions and hypotheses which can be tested and are amenable to empirical investigation; [design].
63	3	Confidently apply the principles of research ethics and professional practice in the design and conduct of research; [ethics].
64	4	Select and competently apply appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods to the investigation of social science phenomena; [methods].
65	5	Manage data by designing efficient data-gathering instruments; accessing and linking data sets (both primary and secondary); dealing with missing data and measurement error; and representing data in an accessible manner [manage data];
66	6	Analyse research findings using up-to-date techniques by interpreting numerical data using statistical inference, modelling and quantitative analysis software, and by interpreting a range of phenomenological or textual data using qualitative approaches and appropriate software [analyse data];
67	7	Effectively present and disseminate complex research findings tailored to the needs and levels of prior knowledge and expertise of varied audiences; [dissemination].
68	8	Confidently collaborate and communicate with peers and colleagues across interdisciplinary fields of research and practice [engagement].
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70	Diverse entry routes
71	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
72	The programme is structured to support students from diverse backgrounds with respect to disciplinary knowledge and skills. The introductory modules at the start of the programme will support students, irrespective of their previous study, to become conversant with the different methods used in social science research to enable them to be confident in applying them as they progress through the programme. In addition, a wide range of subject specific modules are available in the spring and summer term which will enable students to work within their own specific discipline but will also them to investigate new areas of interest. Academic and writing skills are also inherent throughout the modules and there is a strong research integrity/ethical strand that runs throughout the programme. Formative work is incorporated throughout which will also help identify students that may benefit from additional support from elsewhere within the University. The programme leader will also have a key role in supporting transition into the programme.
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79	Inclusion
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81	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.										TRUE
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83	Employability
84	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
85	A successful graduate will be in a position to conceive and lead focused, ethical, strategic research projects for local government, central government, non-governmental organisations and in the private sector, as well as preparing to undertake a PhD.
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89	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
90	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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92	Year abroad			FALSE		Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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94	Year in industry			FALSE		Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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96	Year in enterprise			FALSE
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98	Placement year			FALSE
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