UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Programme Specification

Certificate in Methods of Social Research 1. Awarding Institution/Body University of Kent at Canterbury 2. Teaching Institution University of Kent at Canterbury 3. Teaching Site Canterbury campus 4. Programme accredited by Core modules approved by ESRC for 1+3 training 5. Final Award Certificate 6. Programme Certificate in Methods of Social Research 7. UCAS code (or other code) N/A 8. Relevant QAA subject ESRC Guidelines benchmarking group/s 9. Date of production/revision October 2010 (revision) 10. Applicable cohorts 2010/2011 entry

11. Educational Aims of the Programme The programme aims to provide a training which prepares students to work as social science researchers and/or to make effective use of social science research in a variety of different settings. The four modules represent the Faculty Research Training Programme on social science research: SO833, SO817, SO832 and SO819.

The programme aims to: 1. Provide appropriate methods training both for existing students preparing an MPhil/DPhil thesis, and for those who wish to expand their research skills for career development purposes. 2. Introduce students to a variety of different approaches to social science research, presented in a multi-disciplinary context 3. Cover the principles of research design and strategy, including formulating research questions or hypotheses and translating these into practicable research designs 4. Make students aware of the range of secondary data available and equip them to evaluate their utility for research 5. Develop skills in searching for and retrieving information, using library and Internet resources in a multidisciplinary context 6. Introduce students to the philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues surrounding research and the debates about the relationship between theory and research, the problems of evidence and inference, and the limits of objectivity 7. Develop skills in the use of SPSS and other statistical techniques of data analysis, including multivariate analysis 8. Develop skills in writing, the preparation of a research proposal, the presentation of research results, and verbal communication 9. Help students to prepare their research results for wider dissemination, such as seminar papers, conference presentations, reports and publications to a range of audiences, including academics, policy makers, professionals, service users and the general public 10. Give students an appreciation of the potential and problems of social research in local, regional, national and international settings.

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 12. Programme Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas.

Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated Knowledge and Understanding A. Knowledge and understanding of: 1. The theoretical basis for social Teaching/learning - lectures, tutor-led science research. seminars, student-led seminars, small group 2. Ethical and methodological issues in work, problem-based learning scenarios, SPSS social science research. workshops, guided search of on-line data 3. The strengths and weaknesses of sources, self-directed learning based on different epistemological approaches Library resources. used within the social sciences. 4. Common research techniques used in Transferable/key skills are developed social science research. throughout the course as practicable and 5. Sources of secondary data and how to appropriate, by means of setting deadlines, access them. working in pairs and in small groups, giving 6. The common statistical techniques verbal presentations and individual guidance. used within social science research. 7. The political and policy contexts within Assessment – Essays; critiques of research; which research takes place. field practice; proposal drafting; data analyses, 8. The reflexivity of research in the social interpretation, and write-up sciences. Skills in written communication and in using ICT are formally assessed by means of marked assignments. There is informal assessment of other transferable/key skills in seminar presentations, project work on particular topics, and in discussion with supervisors.

Skills and Other Attributes B. Intellectual skills: Regulation and Assessment 1. Identify research questions and Students will be assessed on the basis of hypotheses. course work assessments and the dissertation, 2. Select a research design appropriate which entail both formative and summative to the questionsbeing asked. elements. Course work assessments can take 3. Evaluate the strengths and the form of an essay, developing a research weaknesses of different research proposal, writing critiques of published techniques. research, conducting field work and write-ups, 4. Plan and develop a research proposal. and/or formal tests as to capabilities in 5. Combine quantitative and qualitative analyzing data with different statistical approaches software. Students who are doing the 6. Criticise other research studies and the programme in preparation for an MPhil / PhD methods used in them. should discuss the assignment topics with their

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 7. Present results in ways which supervisors to ensure the course work pertains contribute to knowledge in that field. to their thesis.

C. Subject-specific skills: The skills listed here will be supplemented by skills taught within specific disciplinary contexts, depending on the student’s choice of modules. Students should be able to: 1. Identify research questions and hypotheses. 2. Choose research methods appropriate to the research question. 3. Be familiar with the ethical issues involved in research and with ethics application guidelines. 4. Choose a valid sample from the population of interest. 5. Design and produce questionnaires and other data collection instruments. 6. Use participant observation and focus groups in research. 7. Use comparative and longitudinal approaches. 8. Make use of existing library and documentary material. 9. Access the UK Data Archive and make use of survey data from that source. 10. Record, store and present quantitative data using SPSS. 11. Use statistical techniques appropriately and critically to support their research. 12. Evaluate the use of basic statistical methods in the research literature. 13. Plan and carry out structured and semi-structured interviews. 14. Analyse qualitative data from interviews, focus groups and other sources. 15. Analyse observational and life history data. 16. Analyse textual data and documentary sources. 17. Be knowledgeable about computer- assisted packages for data handling. 18. Prepare research results for publication and dissemination. D. Transferable skills:

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 1. Manage their own time, prioritise workloads and recognise and manage stress. 2. Use problem-solving skills in a variety of different situations. 3. Take responsibility for their own learning and professional development. 4. Be able to communicate with a wide range of audiences in written and oral media. 5. Be able to use ICT to access information, process data and text, communicate with others and present research results effectively. 6. Understand career opportunities in their own fields and begin to plan for the future. For more information on which modules provide which of the above skills, see the module mapping.

Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules and Credits The programme is comprised of four compulsory, one-unit modules (80 credits). All the modules listed below have been approved as part of the Faculty Research Training Programme.

The Compulsory Modules are: Code Title Credits Term/s SO817 Qualitative research 20 Mondays in Michaelmas SO832 Techniques of data analysis 20 Mondays in Lent SO833 Design, philosophy and ethics of 20 Wednesdays in social research Michaelmas SO819 Quantitative analysis 20 Wednesdays in Lent

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 Certification Students successfully completing the programme described here will be awarded a Certificate in Methods of Social Research. In order to qualify for the Certificate, a student has to:  Register for the whole programme, that is for all four compulsory modules;  Attend lectures, seminars and workshops on a regular basis;  Submit the course work designated for research students;  Achieve a mark of 40 per cent or more on all course work.

13. Support for Students and Their Learning  Induction programme  Programme handbook  Library/skills training  Staff of SSPSSR  Access to ICT facilities and SPSS package  Academic support system  Central support services

14. Entry Profile Entry Route Students must either be admitted for an MPhil/DPhil research degree within the Faculty of Social Sciences or have applied directly for entry to the certificate programme. Students for whom English is their second language will be expected to show proof of adequate ability in spoken and written English. For more detailed information, please refer to the University prospectus.

What does this programme have to offer?  It ensures students have knowledge of the range of research methodological skills within the social sciences, prepares them for further research, and to teach research methods.

Personal Profile  The candidates should have the ability and background knowledge to undertake an advanced course of study.  Candidates should be willing to work in groups and co-operate in group exercises.

15. Methods for evaluating and enhancing the quality and standards of teaching and learning Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards  Student evaluations  Annual reports  External examiners' reports  Periodic programme review  Informal contact with students  Annual staff appraisal  Peer observation  QAA subject review

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards  Staff/Student Consultative Committee of SSPSSR  Research Quality Assurance Committee of SSPSSR  Faculty Graduate Studies Committee  Postgraduate Learning and Teaching Board  Board of Examiners

Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience  Student evaluations  Staff/Student Consultative Committee  Student representation on other committees

Staff development priorities include:  PGCHE requirements  ILT membership  Staff appraisal scheme  Staff mentoring scheme  Staff development courses  Staff involvement in on-going research  Programme team meetings  Staff/student research seminars  Conference attendance

16. Indicators of quality and standards There will be compliance with the University Code of Practice and Faculty Code of Practice in relation to quality assurance, quality enhancement and the monitoring of student progress. Responsibility for the programme will be carried by the individual module convenors, by the programme convenor, and by the Directors of Graduate Studies and the Head of Department of SSPSSR.

Evidence of Opportunity and Need for the Programme. Including Student and Employer Demand, and Relationship to the University Plan, the University Curriculum Policy and other University Evidence of student demand comes from the existing research students, who have expressed an interest in ensuring they have current research skills necessary to their post-thesis careers. The availability of a certificate for research students is consonant with many of the statements set out in the University Plan and in the Learning Teaching Strategy. In particular, the Certificate: Produces graduates of value to the region and the nation, and in possession of skills which will enable them to find employment in the field of their choice. Provides learning opportunities which are pedagogically-based within a research-led framework, and with appropriate support for students from a diverse range of backgrounds. Enhance the training of all research students. Evidence that all Resource Requirements, including Suitably Qualified Teaching Staff, will be provided:

All staff in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research are research active. Their research interests cover all the main areas within these subjects and Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 there is experience within the School in numerous research techniques. Teaching on the analysis of quantitative data using SPSS or other software packages will be done in specialist terminal rooms, equipped with adequate facilities for data entry and analysis. The Templeman Library already contains substantial collections in the relevant fields. New books are ordered as necessary, to keep the collection up to date with the latest methodological innovations. The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:  Current masters programmes in research methods offered at other Universities  External examiners’ comments on the current programme  ESRC guidance and subject bench marks as appropriate

Module mapping follows.

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 Certificate in Methods of Social Research OUTCOMES – CORE MODULES Knowledge and Understanding Programme Programme Modules Outcomes SO817 SO832 SO833 SO819 A1 √ √ √ A2 √ √ √ A3 √ √ √ A4 √ √ √ A5 √ A6 √ √ A7 √ A8 √ √ √

Skills and Other Attributes Programme Programme Modules Outcomes SO817 SO832 SO833 SO819 B1 √ √ B2 √ √ √ B3 √ √ √ √ B4 √ B5 √ √ B6 √ √ √ B7 √ √ √ √

Subject-Specific Skills Programme Programme Modules Outcomes SO817 SO832 SO833 SO819 C1 √ √ C2 √ √ √ √ C3 √ √ C4 v√ C5 √ C6 √ C7 √ C8 √ √ C9 √ C10 √ C11 √ C12 √ C13 √ C14 √ √ C15 √ C16 √ C17 √ C18 √ √

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013 Transferable Skills Programme Programme Modules Outcomes SO817 SO832 SO833 SO819 D1 √ √ √ √ D2 √ √ √ √ D3 √ √ √ √ D4 √ √ √ √ D5 √ √ √ √ D6 √ √

October 2010

Minor Revision to Programme Specification reported to PASC 10 January 2013