Applied Social Research Methods
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Two year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This master’s in Applied Social Research Methods will equip you with the practical skills, academic knowledge, and professional attributes necessary to design and deliver research projects from start to finish. At heart, this course will build your capacity, expertise, and confidence in designing and undertaking research from inception to delivery. Our course is underpinned by academic rigour twinned with a commitment to workplace readiness.
Unlike other courses, we dive straight into designing research projects to help inform the tackling of real-world social problems. Using workshop and activity-based learning, you’ll explore how best to recruit participants and work with stakeholders; you’ll try out different methods to explore their pros and cons; you’ll be introduced to project management tools and supported to think critically about the ethical dimensions of research work.
Each session on the course is scaffolded with academic insight and rigour but delivered in a way that inspires discussion, action, and professional growth. Instead of being lectured at for hours, you’ll be progressing your own projects in an interactive environment. Instead of essays, you’ll be writing research proposals in response to a live social problem. Instead of exams, you’ll submit a portfolio of your own work, based on your direct research and methods experience.
You will:
- Develop advanced skills in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting social research projects, using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of social research and how to appraise these.
- Gain a critical understanding of the ethical issues that underpin social research and the ability to reflect on your own positionality and practice as a researcher.
- Learn to critically evaluate existing research and evidence and to communicate your findings effectively to different audiences.
- Be exposed to diverse perspectives and approaches from different disciplines and cultures and encouraged to collaborate with other researchers and practitioners.
- Gain the knowledge and practice base necessary for further study at doctoral level.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You want a career in social research in the public sector, civil service, or voluntary sectors.
You want to work in roles where appraising data and thinking critically is fundamental to giving good advice and enabling change (such as in think tanks, political parties, or communications).
You are driven by curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration and want to develop problem-solving, project management, and research leadership skills.
You are currently in a policy or service delivery role but are looking to step up your career by developing expertise and leadership in research.
You have recently completed an undergraduate degree and are committed to understanding a particular social phenomenon – this course will give you the tools to really explore that topic.
You have recently completed an undergraduate degree and are committed to understanding a particular social phenomenon – this course will give you the tools to really explore that topic.
All about the course
This course sits within a suite of recently developed innovative social science postgraduate courses which bring together academic rigour with workplace readiness. This course will develop your practical, academic, and professional skillset in research methods and design across the following modules. Each module builds upon the former to deepen your understanding and build your confidence as a research practitioner.
Each module is worth 30 credits, and you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (two years), and dissertation module worth 60 credits – with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) made up of 60 credits, and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) made up of 120 credits. The full master's award (MSc) is made up of 180 credits.
Applied Research in Practice
This core module runs for all courses in the newly developed social sciences postgraduate suite. This means you will make connections and build relationships with peers across the social science postgraduate cohort. The module addresses the nuts and bolts of building a research project from inception to delivery. It explores how we respond to a social problem as researchers, how to design a project, recruit participants, collect and analyse data (quantitative and qualitative), and communicate findings.
Through hands-on workshops, you will be supported to understand how social research methods shape research in workplaces through essential tools, including needs assessment and stakeholder analyses, log frames, and project planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
Making Methods
This module explores innovations in applied social research methods with a focus on new and creative approaches to understanding individuals, communities, and organisations. This module will provide hands-on experience to trial creative methodologies—examples include photovoice techniques, ethnography, longitudinal diaries, and participatory design.
Using a portfolio assessment, this module helps to develop professional skills of reflection, careful writing, and collaboration whilst also giving you practical experience in designing and undertaking a range of methods.
Supporting Research: Leadership and Impact
This module builds an advanced understanding of both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis and the philosophical traditions they are rooted in. This module explores current and likely future trajectories of research in an era of big data and challenges to traditional Western paradigms of research.
The latter part of the module will explore the philosophies, practicalities, and implications of research governance, funding, and infrastructure in academic and real-world contexts. The key to this module is developing you as a future research leader with a sound understanding of the philosophies and principles that underpin impactful research.
Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation
This 60-credit module will include a range of workshops to support you in developing and delivering a high-quality postgraduate dissertation assessment. You will be supported to deliver either (a) a traditional 12,000-word dissertation or (b) a 10,000-word report based on a workplace challenge you have used research to explore.
It is expected that option (b) will be of most benefit to those already working in policy or research roles in organisations. Students will also develop a five-minute poster presentation to be presented at a post-submission seminar event. Students will be supervised on a one-to-one basis.
Optional modules
You can take one optional module from the core modules on the other courses within this suite of postgraduate courses.
Changing Lives: Living with Justice and Injustice (CJPP)
This core module will explore people affected by the criminal justice system to develop an advanced understanding of victims, offenders/perpetrators and families who are impacted by crime as well as those people who make up the extensive criminal justice workforce (in public, private and third sector organisations). People with lived experience, for instance, those who have been stopped and searched, have spent time in prison, been the victim of crime and/or work in a criminal justice setting will contribute to the module.
Contributions by individuals/organisations with real-world/life experience and personal accounts of crime and punishment, for instance, JENGbA the campaign group offering support to families and friends of those who believe they have suffered a wrongful conviction under Joint Enterprise will add to the student learning experience. Students will explore fundamental questions about the different people affected by crime using a critical criminological lens to gain an advanced understanding of the importance of lived experience when considering the criminal justice system in the UK.
Making Change Happen (ESC)
In exploring the drivers of social change, this module, through participatory workshops, focuses on developing a typology of change actions with an emphasis on understanding how individuals and organisations enable/make change. Key partners bring live briefs into the classroom to stimulate group discussion. In the latter part of the module, you will pick up on these key social policy areas and develop theories and mechanisms of change which will be presented as a public-facing assessment.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Programme tutors
Dr John Jordan
Programmer Leader and Lecturer in Social Policy
John is a sociologist specialising in social psychology and social theory. His research explores emotions, identity, and social interactions, often employing qualitative methods like interviews and ethnography. His work on the sociology of emotions examines how emotions are socially constructed and influence social dynamics, contributing to a deeper understanding of identity formation and human behaviour in social contexts.
In addition to his research, John is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students, fostering a supportive and stimulating learning environment. He has published extensively in academic journals and presented his findings at international conferences, recognised for both theoretical rigour and practical implications in the study of social life.
Dr Emilie Whitaker
Senior Lecturer
Dr Emilie Whitaker is an experienced ethnographer and trainer in qualitative research methods. She has undertaken fieldwork research in a diversity of settings, including health and social care organisations, rural communities, and arts-based subcultures. Her research interests centre upon ethnographic methods and writing, place-making, and the sociology of everyday life. Her experience in undertaking and training others in ethnographic work is a particular passion.
Emilie joined the School of Health and Society in November 2016. Prior to this, she worked in a number of policy and research roles in and around Westminster and held a Lectureship in the Social Sciences at Cardiff University (2014-2016). Most recently, she has been working with government departments and senior clinicians in the NHS to train and support their researchers, to increase their research capacity and expertise. She brings her academic insight and sociological orientation to the practical business of getting good research done.
What about after uni?
Whilst many master's courses in social research focus on directing students into PhD programmes, our course brings the rigour, methodological curiosity, and philosophical awareness of an academic programme into conversation with real-world social issues and challenges. With that in mind, you will be well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors and organisations that engage with social issues and challenges. Likely future roles include:
- Social researchers: Design and conduct social research to improve policy or to examine the effectiveness of existing policy. Social researchers work in research agencies, health organisations, charities, local governments, independent organisations, trade unions, and think tanks.
- Government social research officers: Provide high-quality social research, analysis, and advice, to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of government policies and programmes. As part of the civil service, you can work for various government departments, such as education, health, justice, and transport.
- Policy analysts: Research and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes on society and the economy. Policy analysts can work in healthcare, think tanks, consultancy firms, and charitable and private sector bodies.
- Project managers: Are responsible for leading, planning, delivering, and evaluating organisational projects. Found in the private and public sectors, they work with stakeholders, lead teams, and coordinate partners to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Local government officers: Engaged in research, policy development, and service provision activities. Especially those involved in commissioning, monitoring, and evaluating service provision.
- Consultants: Providing expert advice and guidance to clients on specific issues or projects. Consultants can work in various fields, such as management, health, or education. They commonly undertake or commission research on behalf of clients.
Finally, many graduates with high-quality social research knowledge and skills often go on to establish their own research agencies and social enterprises.
Career Links
The teaching team has significant experience in building research capacity within partner and external organisations. Through our work with practitioners on the ground, we are able to bring the real-world conditions of research into the classroom. Our work with external partners shows the demand for highly skilled, responsive, and academically informed researchers in the workplace. You will be introduced to researchers working in the field through classroom experiences, guest sessions, and data.
This course offers you the opportunity to undertake a work placement or do a ‘live authentic’ digital project in your current place of employment. The placement or the project will develop your professional practice, enhance your employability, and/or contribute to your continuing professional development. This course will involve a number of guest speakers from digital industries as well as public and third-sector organisations.
Further study
If this programme develops your passion for social research methods and you want to extend this into doctoral study, the programme team will support you to develop a PhD proposal and explore routes to funding. Visit our Doctoral School page to find out more.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
This programme is designed for those who have some research experience and those who have none. For those already in research and policy roles, this course will tighten and deepen your skillset and place it within an intellectual history and context. This sets you up well for PhD study or promotion. For those newer to research, but fascinated by a particular social issue or problem, you will be supported to translate your interests into a workable research plan and supported at each turn to try out methods and analysis.
It is likely that you will have a background in the social sciences or humanities, but this is not essential – the course is designed to support those with the commitment and curiosity needed for research, regardless of their undergraduate study. Open-mindedness, a willingness to give things a go, a self-starter, being curious about the world and how to explore it are the core attributes needed.
Undergraduate degree
A lower second-class (2:2) or above in an undergraduate degree is required.
English Language Requirements
International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 6.0) is proof of this.
If you need to improve your written and spoken English, you might be interested in our Pre-sessional English course.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: The Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £14,000.00per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact our course enquiries team:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545