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: 27th January 2025
This course is taught over Semester one (12 weeks).
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
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
- Click on the Apply Now button.
- This will take you to the online application system – if you have never used this before please click on First Time user account creation and create an account.
- Log into the system and click on New – create a new application.
- Choose Professional Develop Postgrad as the Application Type
- Choose Admission Term Academic Year 2024-2025 and complete your details.
- Click the Fill Out Application button.
- Click on Programme Selection.
- In the programme choice dropdown please choose: PG Cred Upskilling SKILLS PT Belfast.
- Please type the title of the short course you wish to study in the box below the programme choice: Qualitative Research Methods (Social Policy).
- For the question, Are you applying for a funded place on one of the DfE Skills programmes?, select Yes.
- Please complete all required application sections.
- Ensure your application is complete and then submit.
- You will receive a confirmation email that the application has been submitted, please ensure you check your junk mail as well as the inbox of the e-mail address listed on your application.
- If you have sent all required information and you have been successful, you will receive an unconditional offer. You must accept this offer via email and confirm acceptance online to secure your place.
- If you have not sent all required information, you will be asked to send outstanding items. If a place is still available and you have met all requirements, you will receive an unconditional offer. You must accept this offer via email and confirm acceptance online to secure your place.
IMPORTANT: If we have requested additional items, you do not have a guaranteed place. You may lose your space if you do not provide any required information by the deadline supplied in the Request for documentation Email - Once your place is accepted, you will receive an enrolment email. You must complete the online enrolment to confirm your place and start your course.