Social and Economic History (Research Methods) MA

The MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods) fuels your interest in the past and develops the essential skills and knowledge you need to undertake in-depth research into the aspects of social and economic history that most interest you.<br/><br/>The course offers the highest quality training in social research methods and applies this knowledge to the study of the past. It is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council, the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural, and human data science activity. It is also part of our four-year funding scheme offered through the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership that culminates in a PhD in any aspect of the subject.<br/><br/>The course, which is completed in one year full-time or two years part-time, is shared between the Department of History and the Department of Sociology. Core areas of learning include an in-depth introduction to the study of research, themes, readings and sources from a historical perspective as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods. You can choose further optional modules from a selection of research and historical themed options in the sciences and social sciences areas, as well as one further module from across the Arts & Humanities Faculty more broadly. You also carry out independent research on a related area of your choice in the form of a dissertation.<br/><br/>You will have access to the extensive learning resource made available via various libraries, archives, and special historical collections housed in the University and in the city itself.<br/><br/>The postgraduate communities in both departments are vibrant and committed, and contribute in a major way to the academic environment with their active involvement in discussion groups, annual conferences and other events.<br/><br/>**Course structure**<br/><br/>All the MA programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities consist of three components:<br/><br/><br/>- a Major Research Project to the value of at least 60 credits <br/><br/><br/>- Core Modules to the value of 0-90 credits, depending on the programme<br/><br/><br/>- Elective Modules, making up the total number of credits to 180; some of these modules will be defined as Recommended Electives for particular programmes.<br/><br/><br/>For students studying the MA in Social and Economic History, the Dissertation (your Major Research Project (60-credits))enables you to apply the skills and methods you have gained from the course to an extended piece of work and develop a knowledge and understanding of a specialist area of history.<br/><br/>**You will also be required to take the following core modules:**<br/><br/>**Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Practices across Social Science Research** (15 credits) introduces you to the different programmes of social science research and sets out the challenges you will face working across a range of disciplines. You will also be given an introduction to the ethical issues involved in the conduct of social research.<br/><br/>**Themes, Readings and Sources** (30 credits) provides training in historical skills, methodologies, and theories. It is designed to guide you, regardless of your specialism, towards taking an independent approach to learning and research.<br/><br/>**Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis** (15 credits) develops your knowledge, critical understanding and skills in quantitative data analysis by teaching you how to use statistical techniques for exploration and description of data sets and to make appropriate statistical inferences.<br/><br/>**Qualitative Methods and Analysis** (15 credits) equips you with the skills and knowledge to understand and assess qualitative social sciences research, including the different approaches to research and design and analysis of qualitative data.