MY500 Half Unit
Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Sally Stares
Dr Raphael Susewind
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MRes in Accounting (AOI) (Accounting, Organisations and Institutions Track), MRes in International Development, MRes in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources) and MRes in Management (Organisational Behaviour). This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Demography (Social/Formal), MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MPhil/PhD in Environmental Policy and Development, MPhil/PhD in Health Policy and Health Economics, MPhil/PhD in Human Geography and Urban Studies, MPhil/PhD in International Relations, MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning Studies, MPhil/PhD in Social Policy and MPhil/PhD in Sociology. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission.
This course is not controlled access. The course is available to all research students.
Course content
Research design necessitates trade-offs between the strengths and weaknesses of different feasible options. This course aims to introduce the broad range of design options and to foster an appreciation of these alternatives for particular research objectives. Drawing on a variety of examples from the social scientific literature, this course will explore design considerations and options across quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research. At the end of the course, students will be able to read a wide variety of empirical social science with a critical and balanced perspective and will be better equipped to implement and make arguments defending the methods they use in their PhD theses.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 13.5 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
A project outline (1-2 pages long) that sets up a research question that the student will develop in their summative assignment.
Indicative reading
Robson, Colin and McCartan, Kieran (2015, 4th edition). Real World Research. London: John Wiley.
Assessment
Quiz (25%)
Proposal (75%)
Students can base their research proposal (3000 words) on a dimension of their dissertation topic subject to the approval of their home department.
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 8
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 11
Average class size 2024/25: 10
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.