Taught course
Applied Social Research Methods
Entry requirements
A lower second-class (2:2) Honours degree or above is required.
While a background in the social sciences or humanities is common among applicants, it is not essential. The course is designed to support individuals with a strong commitment to research, regardless of their undergraduate field. Key attributes include open-mindedness, curiosity about the world, and a proactive, self-starting attitude.
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 6.0) is proof of this.
The University of Salford welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully. The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count.
Months of entry
September
Course content
This master’s in Applied Social Research Methods is designed to equip you with the practical skills, academic knowledge, and professional attributes needed to design and deliver research projects from start to finish. The course focuses on building your capacity, expertise, and confidence in conducting research, from its inception through to delivery. It is characterised by academic rigour combined with a strong commitment to workplace readiness.
Unlike other courses, we dive straight into the process of designing research projects that address real-world social problems. Through workshop and activity-based learning, you’ll explore effective strategies for participant recruitment and stakeholder engagement, experiment with various research methods to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and learn project management tools while critically considering the ethical dimensions of research.
Each session is grounded in academic insight but delivered in a way that encourages discussion, action, and professional growth. Instead of traditional lectures, you’ll actively work on your own projects in an interactive environment. Instead of writing essays, you’ll create research proposals in response to current social issues. Instead of exams, you’ll submit a portfolio based on your direct research experience and methods.
You will:
- Develop advanced skills in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting social research projects using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of social research and how to critically appraise them.
- Acquire a critical understanding of the ethical issues underpinning social research, with the ability to reflect on your own positionality and practice as a researcher.
- Learn to evaluate existing research and evidence critically, and effectively communicate your findings to diverse audiences.
- Be exposed to diverse perspectives and approaches across disciplines and cultures, with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and practitioners.
- Build the knowledge and practical experience necessary for further study at the doctoral level.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- PGDip
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- PGCert
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Course Enquiries
- enquiries@salford.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)161 295 4545