Programme Specification
MSc Social Sciences Research Programmes
Academic Year: 2018/19
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | N/A |
| Owning school/department | School of Social Sciences - pre 2019 |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | N/A |
| Final award | MSc; (PGCert/PGDiploma Social Science Research available as exit award only) |
| Programme title | MSc Social Science Research (Communication and Media); MSc Social Science Research (Social Policy); MSc Social Science Research (Education); MSc Social Science Research (Business and Management Studies); MSc Social Science Research (Sport and Exercise Science) |
| Programme code | MSc Social Science Research (Communication and Media) (SSPT21/SSPT22); MSc Social Science Research (Social Policy) (SSPT23/SSPT24); MSc Social Science Research (Education) (MAPT21/MAPT22); MSc Social Science Research (Business and Management Studies) (BSPTA3/BSPTA4); MSc Social Science Research (Sport and Exercise Science) (PSPT11/PSPT12) |
| Length of programme | 1 year full time; 2 year part time (NB PT students must follow the sequencing of modules for the full time programme) |
| UCAS code | N/A |
| Admissions criteria | MSc Social Science Research (Communication and Media) Full Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/SSPT21 Part Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/SSPT22 MSc Social Science Research (Social Policy) Full Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/SSPT23 Part Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/SSPT24 MSc Social Science Research (Business and Management Studies) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/BSPTA3 MSc Social Science Research (Sport and Exercise Science) Full Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/PSPT11 Part Time - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/PSPT12 |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:45:23 GMT |
1. Programme Aims
These programmes are designed to produce graduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are well equipped to progress onto being high level researchers in their chosen field of study.
Students will
- gain understanding of key epistemological and ontological debates that frame social science research;
- gain advanced knowledge of the methodologies, processes, designs and practices involved in social science research;
- acquire in-depth training in the conduct and management of research, from its commencement to its conclusion;
- explore and reflect on their developing research skills in the context of their areas of research interest and their growth as creative and independent researchers;
- critically analyse ethical aspects of academic research and gain advanced ability to deal with ethical problems and challenges;
- be able to apply all of the above in the context associated with their chosen programme.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
The Economic and Social Research Council’s requirements for Doctoral Training Pathways (see http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/call-for-doctoral-training-partnerships-dtps/).
UK Quality Code for Higher Education, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012 (Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards).
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ), the QAA, August 2008.
Master’s Degree Characteristics, QAA, March 2010.
The Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, 2008.
The Quality Code, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Ability
Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval
Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching
Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement
Chapter B6: Assessment of Students
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding of…
K1 ethical issues and problems associated with social science research
K2 the range of research methods and paradigms in use in social science research generally and also in their selected discipline;
K3the key principles of research design, their applicability in contexts, and the challenges and value of multi-methods research;
K4 the critical application of theory in the development of research choices;
K5 the significance of the choices of particular research philosophies in a variety of disciplines, with special reference to their discipline;
K6 the original application of knowledge together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and inquiry are used to create and interpret new insights in the discipline;
For Social Science Research (Communication and Media) only:
K7 students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding ofresearch innovation and development in Communication and Media;
For Social Science Research (Education) only:
K8 students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding ofresearch innovation and development in Education;
For Social Science Research (Social Policy) only:
K9 students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding ofresearch innovation and development in Social Policy;
For Social Science Research (Business and Management) only:
K10 students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding ofresearch innovation and development in Business and Management Studies;
For Social Science Research (Sport and Exercise Science) only:
K11 students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding ofresearch innovation and development in Sport and Exercise Sciences.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
C1 apply diverse qualitative and quantitative research methods;
C2 critically evaluate these research techniques and methods;
C3 effectively plan, design and execute research projects covering a diverse range of research challenges;
C4 make appropriate methodological choices that connect to wider ontological and epistemological debates about knowledge creation;
C5 critically analyse research questions, present reasoned and theoretically informed arguments and new hypotheses concerning academic developments in social science research appropriate to their chosen pathway.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to…
P1 use a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods in investigating social processes and phenomena;
P2 use appropriate technology to assist in the generation, collation and analysis of research data;
P3 communicate and publish the results of their research, on the basis of the formative and summative feedback delivered through the programme.
P4 analyse the theoretical foundations and research methods used in their research areas.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to…
T1 communicate ideas, arguments, research rationales and findings effectively to a range of academic and non-academic audiences;
T2 interact positively with their peers, and a range of academic colleagues, acknowledging challenges in or limitations to their work and thinking;
T3 demonstrate self direction in tackling and solving research problems, act autonomously in pla.nning research tasks
4. Programme structure
C=compulsory
O=optional
|
Title |
Credit |
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Comms and Media) |
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Social Policy) |
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Education) |
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Business Manage/t) |
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Sport Exercise) |
Responsible School |
|
Semester 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EUP133 Philosophy of Social Science |
20 |
c |
c |
c |
c |
c |
SocSci |
|
BSP011 Quantitative Research Methods |
20 |
c |
c |
c |
c |
c |
SBE |
|
EUP132 Research Design and Practice |
20 |
c |
c |
c |
c |
c |
SocSci |
|
GYP038 Advanced Methods 1: Doing research with young people in their socio-spatial contexts |
10 |
o * |
o * | o * | o * | o * |
SocSci |
|
SSP705 Advanced Methods 4: Applied Conversation Analysis |
10 |
o * |
o * | o * | o * | o * |
SocSci |
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSP510 Qualitative Research Methods |
20 |
c |
c |
c |
c |
c |
SSEHS |
|
SSP701 Specialist Research Methods (Communication) |
20 |
c |
- |
- |
- |
- |
SocSci |
|
SSP702 Specialist Research Methods (Social Policy) |
20 |
- |
c |
- |
- |
- |
SocSci |
|
MAP230 Specialist Research Methods (Education) |
20 |
- |
- |
c |
- |
- |
Science |
|
BSP012 Specialist Research Methods (Finance) |
20 |
- |
- |
- |
c # |
- |
SBE |
|
BSP010 Specialist Research Methods (Management) |
20 |
- |
- |
- |
c # |
- |
SBE |
|
PSP509 Specialist Research Methods (Sport and Exercise) |
20 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c |
SSEHS |
|
SSP703 Advanced Methods 2: Advanced Content Analysis |
10 |
o * |
o * |
o * |
o * |
o * |
|
|
SSP704 Advanced Methods 3: Methodological Advances in Applied Ethnography |
10 |
o * |
o * |
o * |
o * |
o * |
SocSci |
|
Semester 1&2 |
|||||||
|
SSP706 Dissertation (Comms/Media) |
60 |
c |
- |
- |
- |
- |
SocSci |
|
SSP707 Dissertation (Social Policy) |
60 |
- |
c |
- |
- |
- |
SocSci |
|
MAP330 Dissertation (Education) |
60 |
- |
- |
c |
- |
- |
Science |
|
BSP013 Dissertation (Business/ Management) |
60 |
- |
- |
- |
c |
- |
SBE |
|
PSP511 Dissertation (Sport/Exercise) |
60 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c |
SSEHS |
*NB Students will choose two 10 credit optional modules from four Advanced Methods modules listed above.
#MSc Social Science Research Methods (Business Management) students should choose either the Specialist Research Methods (Finance) module or the Specialist Research Methods (Management) module.
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
Each module in the programme will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in Regulation XXI.
Candidates who have studied a particular module, completed the relevant assignments according to a timetable agreed with the School and passed in accordance with XXI are eligible for the award of credit in that module.
In order to be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master, the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but also:
(1) to be eligible for the award of PG Cert in Social Science Research candidates must have, over a period of not more than three years, accumulated minimally 60 credits in the following core modules: Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011) and Research Design and Practice (EUP132);
(2) to be eligible for the award of PG Dip in Social Science Research candidates must have, over a period of not more than five years:
(a) studied the core modules Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011), Research Design and Practice (EUP132) and Qualitative Research Methods (PSP510), two 10 credit advanced training modules and the subject specific module relevant to their programme pathway
AND
(b) accumulated minimally 100 credits, excluding the 60 credit major project, and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 20.
(3) to be eligible for the award of MSc in Social Science Research (Pathway) candidates must have, over a period of not more than eight years:
(a) studied the core modules Philosophy of Social Science (EUP133), Quantitative Research Methods (BSP011), Research Design and Practice (EUP132) and Qualitative Research Methods (PSP510), two 10 credit advanced training modules, the subject specific module relevant to their programme pathway and dissertation
AND
(b) accumulated minimally 150 credits and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 30 are eligible for the award of MSc in Social Science Research (Pathway) where the Pathway is Communication and Media, Education, Business and Management, Social Policy or Sports and Exercise Science.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Not applicable
