University of Salford

MSc Applied Social Research Methods

This is for you if...

• You want a career in social research in the public sector, civil service, or voluntary sectors.
• You want to work in roles where appraising data and thinking critically is fundamental to giving good advice and enabling change (such as in think tanks, political parties, or communications).
• You are driven by curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration and want to develop problem-solving, project management, and research leadership skills.
• You are currently in a policy or service delivery role but are looking to step up your career by developing expertise and leadership in research.
• You have recently completed an undergraduate degree and are committed to understanding a particular social phenomenon – this course will give you the tools to really explore that topic.
• You have recently completed an undergraduate degree and are committed to understanding a particular social phenomenon – this course will give you the tools to really explore that topic.

This course sits within a suite of recently developed innovative social science postgraduate courses which bring together academic rigour with workplace readiness. This course will develop your practical, academic, and professional skillset in research methods and design across the following modules. Each module builds upon the former to deepen your understanding and build your confidence as a research practitioner.

Each module is worth 30 credits, and you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (two years), and dissertation module worth 60 credits – with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) made up of 60 credits, and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) made up of 120 credits. The full master's award (MSc) is made up of 180 credits.

Core modules

• Applied Research in Practice
• Making Methods
• Supporting Research: Leadership and Impact
• Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation

Optional modules

You can take one optional module from the core modules on the other courses within this suite of postgraduate courses.

• Changing Lives: Living with Justice and Injustice (CJPP)
• Making Change Happen (ESC)

Whilst many master's courses in social research focus on directing students into PhD programmes, our course brings the rigour, methodological curiosity, and philosophical awareness of an academic programme into conversation with real-world social issues and challenges. With that in mind, you will be well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors and organisations that engage with social issues and challenges. Likely future roles include:

• Social researchers: Design and conduct social research to improve policy or to examine the effectiveness of existing policy. Social researchers work in research agencies, health organisations, charities, local governments, independent organisations, trade unions, and think tanks.
• Government social research officers: Provide high-quality social research, analysis, and advice, to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of government policies and programmes. As part of the civil service, you can work for various government departments, such as education, health, justice, and transport.
• Policy analysts: Research and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes on society and the economy. Policy analysts can work in healthcare, think tanks, consultancy firms, and charitable and private sector bodies.
• Project managers: Are responsible for leading, planning, delivering, and evaluating organisational projects. Found in the private and public sectors, they work with stakeholders, lead teams, and coordinate partners to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Local government officers: Engaged in research, policy development, and service provision activities. Especially those involved in commissioning, monitoring, and evaluating service provision.
• Consultants: Providing expert advice and guidance to clients on specific issues or projects. Consultants can work in various fields, such as management, health, or education. They commonly undertake or commission research on behalf of clients.

Finally, many graduates with high-quality social research knowledge and skills often go on to establish their own research agencies and social enterprises.