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Health & Life Sciences

Master's in Research (Applied Health Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Psychology or Social Work)

MRes/PG Dip/PG Cert

Why this course?

This ESRC-recognised course will equip you with the methodological skills to carry out applied research in these subject areas at doctoral level. It incorporates a wide range of methodological teaching and enables you to develop your understanding of the theoretical and practical dimensions of research practice.

The Master's in Research offers the opportunity to develop a theoretical and practical appreciation of a wide range of research methods relevant to the fields of health, criminal justice, social care and psychology
You are able to explore both traditional and longstanding research methods as well as innovative approaches to social research
You will develop technical skills as well as a philosophical understanding of key methodological debates
The course enables you to apply methodological constructs directly to your work-based interests

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Programme summary

Mode(s): Full and part-time
Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time
Attendance is one day each week, usually Wednesdays.
From prospectus: Postgraduate and Professional Prospectus 2010

Why not come and visit DMU for an Open Day?

This course is offered by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Entry requirements

A 2:1 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject
A 2:2 Honours degree or above plus relevant professional experience
A portfolio of professional qualifications and/or academic qualifications of equivalent standing to an Honours degree
An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma at a good standard

Career opportunities

This course offers a route into doctoral research or a wider research career. Additionally, professionals with some years' experience seeking to enhance the research dimension of the workplace will find the opportunity to develop a level of research expertise which can be taken back into the arena of professional practice.

Programme

The Master's in Research offers rigorous multi-disciplinary training in traditional and innovative research methods and enables you to develop an advanced critical appreciation of key methodological debates. There are four pathways: applied health studies, criminology and criminal justice psychology and social work.

Core modules:

Research Designs
Research Dilemmas and Strategies
Making Sense of Quantitative and Qualitative Data
Advanced Statistics and Data Analysis
Research dissertation.

Pathway modules:

Health Policy and Strategy
Criminological and Criminal Justice Research
Research in Social Work
Philosophy of Psychological Science.

For the Master's in Research you will complete a dissertation of 15,000 words and achieve a total of 180 credits. A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded on completion of 60 credits; a Postgraduate Diploma on completion of 120 credits. The course uses a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, visiting speakers, e-based learning, one-to-one supervision and self-directed study. Assessment in taught modules is by coursework, primarily essays, reports, mini-projects and presentations. There are no formal examinations.

Teaching/assessment

The course is taught using a range of methods including presentations, seminars and e-learning. Attendance will usually be required one day a week (usually Wednesdays). Assessment will be by way of written assignments, methods exercises, and a dissertation.

Further information

Alumni Scholarships
There are an unlimited number of £500 awards for DMU graduates who wish to return to study a full-time or distance learning/online Master's or PhD degree starting in 2010.

Staff

The course team comprises experienced academic researchers who have studied and published widely in the relevant disciplines of criminology and criminal justice, social work, health policy and psychological research.

ESRC Recognition - This means that you may be eligible for funding for the MRes and for subsequent PhD study (social work and applied health studies pathways) and are advised to seek further information at an early stage. Alternatively, there may be funding available through the East Midlands Workforce Deanery if you work in the local NHS, please seek further information.

Fee information

The part-time home/EU fees are £350 per 15 credit module and £1,400 for a 60 credit dissertation (fees shown are for the 2009/10 academic session and may change slightly for future sessions).

Contact us

Faculty Admissions Team

T: +44 (0)116 257 7700
E: hls@dmu.ac.uk
W: dmu.ac.uk/hls

Roger Smith - Programme Leader

T: +44 (0)116 257 7109
E: rssmith01@dmu.ac.uk

How to apply

Please contact the Admissions Team for an application pack.

"The MRes course constituted the first year of my 1+3 research PhD which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. I found it an excellent foundation for my main PhD research as it covers a wide range of research strategies, methods and analysis techniques. The fact that the research council recognises it as a valid route to PhD study has to be a great recommendation for other students who are contemplating further research or who want a solid research grounding to take back to their work environment.

"I particularly enjoyed the lectures in research strategies and methods as well as the more specific seminars looking at social work issues. The course is taught alongside other disciplines and while there is more of a health focus, this overlaps with understanding human research participants."

Sharon Hall, current student