Program Overview

Do you want pursue a career in sociological or health research? Thinking of embarking on a PhD and you want to develop your existing research skills? Or do you want to diversify your career in practice to include research? If so, this could be the course for you.

Throughout this course, you will advance your knowledge of how to design and execute health-related research from a social science perspective through a blend of theory and practise. You’ll explore some of the philosophical foundations of health-related social research, and how this lens influences the researcher’s approach to theory development and strategy. You’ll consolidate your research skills so you are adept at searching for and analysing current materials to formulate a well-rounded literature review.

You will also examine commonplace research designs, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, using examples from published health-related literature. Modules on statistical analysis and survey design will develop your quantitative research and analysis skills, including training with statistical analysis packages e.g. STATA. You will also have the option of gaining practical experience through a short work placement at the Institute of Social and Economic Research or another recognized survey organization where you will have the chance to engage in various activities in the running of a large-scale survey research project.

In your final module, you will complete a dissertation relevant to your field of practice. As this course is jointly delivered by the School of Health and Social Care and the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), you’ll benefit from a range of experienced staff who will be able to supervise you.

Overall you will leave the course with a combination of practical research skills, the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data, along with a theoretical understanding of health research that will enable you to ask and explore important sociological and health related questions.

Due to the advanced nature of the training on research methods, applicants will be required to evidence having received training in research methods at undergraduate level and completion of a dissertation at 2.1 level or equivalent. In some cases evidence of research experience in the workplace which includes data analysis will be considered.