Social science research methodologies (terms 1 and 2)

The course introduces students to the key philosophical and epistemological traditions underpinning research in the social sciences and provides a broad-based, advanced level training in social science research skills and methodologies.

Term 1 concentrates on qualitative research methods and is taken by all students.

Term 2 focuses on quantitative methods and is compulsory only for research training route students.

This course is designed to equip graduate students with the range of knowledge and skills needed to complete a substantive piece of independent, social scientific research. Through the combination of lectures, seminars, practicals and in-depth skills training workshops, students will complete the course being able to: (i) appreciate the contributions of different epistemologies to social scientific research theory and practice, and the place of geography within that context; (ii) develop a research strategy which is appropriate to the nature of their research questions; (iii) conduct research through the interrogation of a range of contemporary and historical sources, deploying a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection and analysis; (iv) raise the standard of their research practice, both in terms of personal skills and competencies and in relation to others.

Assessment: one 3000 word course paper for each term.