Programme Code: AK3738

• Level: 8
• Points: 60
• Method of Study: Full time / Part time
• Qualification: Graduate Certificate
• Number of Places: 20
• Application Closing Dates: End of January / June
• Location: City Campus / Wellesley Street

Programme Summary:

The Postgraduate Certificate in Research and Analysis aims to produce knowledgeable and skilled research practitioners. This course is designed for graduates who wish to upgrade their research skills, perhaps in preparation for undertaking further postgraduate study or for entering the work force. The programme emphasises applied computer skills and deals with the entire research process from the formulation of research questions to the preparation and professional presentation of results.

Career Pathways:

The knowledge and methods taught are central to advancement in private and public sector fields ranging from marketing to social policy. Graduates have come from backgrounds in, or progressed to employment in education, health, social services, local and central government, market research, library and law services. The certificate would also benefit new graduates of degree-level programmes who wish to extend their qualifications and research capabilities before proceeding to post-graduate study.

Areas of Study:

The Postgraduate Certificate consists of 4 semester-long papers from a choice of 5 papers.

Approaches to Research:

This paper covers the main types and principles of research design, including an overview of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, evaluation and interpretation of published studies.

Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis:

This paper covers the qualitative research process, from project design to collecting, analysing and reporting information.

Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis:

This paper covers research designs involving quantitative data, as well as the essential methods of statistical analysis for experimental and correlational designs.

MA Reading Paper:

This is an individually supervised reading and literature review paper. This paper is designed to allow students to explore an area of interest in a social science discipline not covered in the taught papers.

Study Methods:

This course uses a combination of face to face and on-line learning. The paper Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis have been designed for on-line learning methods. Approaches to Research and Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis are taught in evening classes at our Wellesley Street campus.

Staircasing:

Having gained your graduate certificate you can readily use this as a base on which to build Masters studies. You can carry credits for all 4 papers into a Masters programme.