About
About
This course takes students on the research journey from project design to communicating findings. Key themes include ethics (how to conduct research to protect the participants); a range of data collections methods (including interviews, focus groups, observing communities); and rigorous data analysis .
By studying qualitative research methods, students develop a versatile skill set that enables them to contribute meaningfully to the field of social policy.
Term dates
Course start date: 28 January 2025
This course requires on-campus attendance, at our Belfast campus, on Tuesdays, from 10:15am – 1:15pm, during Semester 2 in 2025.
The short course is timetabled for the following days:
Weeks 1-12
- Tuesday 28 January 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 04 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 11 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 18 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 25 February 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 04 March 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 11 March 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 18 March 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 25 March 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 01 April 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 08 April 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
- Tuesday 15 April 2025, 10:15am – 1:15pm
Dates may be subject to change.
Attendance
Students are required to attend 3 hours per week.
The course is taught in workshop format – with key theory on how to conduct qualitative methods supplemented with taking part in practical exercises. For instance we role-play conducting a focus group, with the class divided into participants, note-takers and moderators who ask the questions and encourage discussion amongst participants.
Lecturers draw on their expertise to share knowledge on the realities of conducting research on sensitive topics, using innovative methods and encourage students to think about how these lessons can be applied to their assessments.
Location
This course is delivered on the Belfast campus.
Assessment
The assessment is 100% coursework:
- Survey research report
- SPSS portfolio
Career Options
This course would enhance career opportunities for research and policy staff, providing key skills in critical analysis, data analysis and reporting on research findings. It will also be useful for those commissioning research from outside organisations, facilitating understanding of research design.
Academic Profile
This course is co-delivered by Dr Fiona Bloomer and Dr Johanne Devlin Trew. Both have 20 years+ experience in conducting research in academia, in partnership with NGOs and have internationally recognised reputations as leaders in their field.
Guest lecturers include Phd researchers who provide insight into how they apply research skills to their studies, with a particular focus on research ethics.
Further Information
Modules
This is a 20 credit module short course - see the about section for details of content.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a second class honours degree or better in Social Sciences, Humanities, Law or a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard;
In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements