Social Research MRes  Dr Olga Cara  Programme leader  o.cara@ucl.ac.uk  Mr Gary Ford  Programme administrator  gary.ford@ucl.ac.uk The MRes programme is tailored to provide the critical capacity and methodological training for advanced research in social science. It is designed to develop advanced skills in research methods as well as critical understanding of contemporary debates in research methodology. The MRes will equip participants with research skills that can be used in public, private or third sectors, and provides ideal preparation for doctoral study. About this degree Through this course students will learn how to plan and conduct social research using a variety of methods and research designs, and gain hands on experience in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method analysis techniques. Students will learn and practice the skills necessary to interpret and critique existing research and to develop, conduct and disseminate their own projects. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of four compulsory modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MRes in Social Research. Compulsory modules All modules are mandatory. Understanding Research Practice Undertaking and Disseminating Research Analysing Research Data Advanced Research Theory and Practice At the start of the programme students will choose to either study online or face-to-face. Those who select a face-to-face option will attend a 2-hour face-to-face seminar once every two weeks. Online students will take their seminars online, and these will also last for 2-hours and run once every two weeks. The online path does not require attendance on campus, providing greater flexibility for students combining study with work, particularly those taking the programme over two years. Optional modules The are no optional modules on this programme. Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Dissertation/report All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 20,000 words. You will have a named supervisor to support you with your dissertation. Fieldwork For their dissertation, students undertake a research project which may involve collecting and analysing data. Alternatively, students may choose to analyse policy documents or secondary data or to undertake systematic reviews. Teaching and learning The programme can be taken entirely at a distance, or as a combination of on campus fortnightly 2-hour seminars and online activities. Assessment for each module is through the equivalent of a 5,000-word assignment (e.g. written essay or research proposal, online posts and short reports), and the dissertation is assessed through a 20,000-word dissertation. Modules are taught on a 10-week basis per term. The mixed mode delivery involves a combination of seminars and online forum collaboration. Each module will be comprised of five, two-hour seminars (held face-to-face or online). Students will be required to register their preferred mode of attendance and will be expected to attend at least 3 seminars per term. Further, each module will comprise a number of online activities. Students will have to participate in at least 80% of these. For example, students will be required to post a certain number of forum contributions of specified minimum lengths by a specific deadline.