MRes (Education) and MRes (Educational Technology)
The MRes provides training to an advanced level in a range of social research methods. It is particularly relevant to students who intend to go on to study for a PhD, but will also be of value to those wanting to work in an environment where research plays a significant role. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature and seeks to enhance knowledge and skills that are increasingly demanded in the labour market.
The MRes is designed to make you familiar with a range of research methodologies, to develop those skills needed to gain experience of independent research and to give you practice in the academic writing skills that are an essential part of doctoral work. At the end of the year you will have undertaken a pilot research project and have developed and refined a research proposal.
The programme aims to equip students with a range of skills that include the following:
- recognize and develop good research problems;
- carry out a literature review;
- understand the relevance of and be able to apply a range of both quantitative and qualitative research methods;
- critically analyse and evaluate one’s own research findings and those of others;
- demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to ethical issues and the requirements of the data protection act;
- write clearly and in a style appropriate to purpose;
- construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences;
- demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking.
The MRes programme consists of five modules that all students must complete. These are: A; B1; C1; B2 or C2; and the dissertation:
- Module A : An Introduction to Social Research;
- Module B1: Qualitative research methods
- Module B2: Advanced Qualitative Methods
- Module C1: Quantitative research methods (this module is a prerequisite for Module C2).
- Module C2: Advanced Statistical Method;
- Module D: Dissertation.
The decision to study B2 or C2 will be made in conjunction with your supervisors.
Students on the MRes also make use of the resources and workshops provided by the non-assessed module Doing postgraduate research (U501).
What entry qualification do I need?
For the MRes study candidates are normally required to have a first class or upper-second class degree in a subject such as psychology, education, computing, maths, social science, applied linguistics, language studies or information technology. Previous postgraduate research experience or professional qualifications are also taken into account.