Master of Research (Research)

The Master of Research (MRes) is for those pursuing a career in academic or professional research. It is also suitable for individuals who would like to develop research skills within their professional field as part of their continuing professional development (CPD).

An MRes can give you a competitive edge in a research and evaluation-orientated job market and is a valuable stepping-stone towards a PhD. In this course, you will gain advanced research skills, develop and carry out our own research project and earn an internationally recognised research qualification. You can study for the MRes full-time or part-time.

First-class researchers are much sought after in academia and by commercial and third sector organisations who want to gain an edge in their marketplace.  On this course, you will develop advanced research skills that are transferrable to almost any field. You will also learn how to apply your research techniques to real-world problems to make you more valuable to prospective employers.

During the MRes programme you will be supported to:

• complete foundational research training across a range of disciplines and backgrounds;

• produce an in-depth and critical understanding of contemporary research practice;

• develop expert research knowledge within a specific area/ field of research literature;

• engage in research with curiosity, independence, and reflection with regards to your own development and the development of research projects;

• derive and justify a research aim, research question (and where relevant, one or more research hypotheses) and plan a general research approach based on a review of appropriate literature/sources;

• evaluate and synthesise complex problems/concepts/theories in order to formulate arguments and apply knowledge or practice in novel ways;

• plan, explain and undertake advanced methodological skills and knowledge relevant to a specific field and research study; and defend the research processes to be undertaken;

• design a research communication strategy and undertake activity to communicate ideas to different audiences;

• facilitate the critical and empirical exploration an area of research over an extended period;

• develop as a graduate who has acquired the skills and competencies required to carry out all tasks and elements required of a research process;

• engage in research independently; and be able to continue to doctoral studies or develop research within a professional capacity; and

• produce research findings which further knowledge and/or understanding.

You will complete seven modules on the MRes. The three taught modules below are designed to develop your research skills, your ability to review the literature in your chosen field and develop a critical and reflective understanding of the modern research environments.

The three taught modules are:

• Literature Enquiry and Synthesis.

• Research Methods: Problems and Solutions

• Foundations of Research Practice

Using learning from the three modules above, you will study four research  modules (below) where you will  be supported to design, propose and apply advanced research methods in your area of research interest. You then will be guided to develop a research thesis (or other relevant output/piece) and engage in research dissemination activities to specific audiences; a culmination and celebration of the research undertaken during the MRes.

The four research modules are:

• Research Project Proposal

• Advanced Research Methods for your Research Project

• Delivering your Research Project

• Disseminating your Research Project

Finally, you will be guided to develop a research thesis (or other relevant output/piece) and engage in research dissemination activities to specific audiences; a culmination and celebration of the research undertaken during the MRes.

Course Modules

• Research Methods: Problems and Solutions (20 credits): The aim of the module is to provide the student with an understanding of research principles, a range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and appropriate analysis for these. This will enable the student to develop the foundation research skills and knowledge necessary to undertake an independent research project.

• Literature Enquiry and Synthesis (20 credits): The aim of this module is to build the skills for; systematically searching for research resources; critically reviewing research literature and synthesising the findings of such a review. The module involves the critical analysis of; research designs; literature review and evaluation tools; and the use and application of technology and software to review research literature.

• Foundations of Research Practice (20 credits): In this module, you will be supported to reflect on your research development needs, develop a critical understanding of the modern research environment, establish your philosophy as a researcher and consider ethical issues surrounding your research practice.

• Project Proposal: (20 credits): Based on these foundations, via working with your research supervisor you will then be supported to design and propose a research project in your area of interest.

• Advanced Research Methods (20 credits): In this module, you will receive mentoring and coaching to support the development of your expertise relating to the research methods within your research project. You will be supported to ask critical questions and seek out information and guidance from multiple sources. The aim is to gain the advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake and justify your proposed research paradigm, methods and analysis procedures.

• Delivering your research project (60 credits): In this module you will be supervised to independently undertake a piece of empirical research. The setting for the research study may include real world settings, eg conducting a study for an industry client, for a not-for-profit sector organisation or similar, or, where appropriate, practice-based, laboratory-based or other research-based environments. During the module you will conduct in-depth analysis, reporting and synthesis of data collected, information sources or practice, and will then be guided to develop a written thesis (or other relevant output/piece).

• Disseminating your Research Project (20 credits): This module is focussed on the dissemination of the findings of the MRes Project to target audiences. You will learn about designing, implementing and evaluating engaging and relevant ways to communicate research. You will then build an effective dissemination strategy for your project and delivering a specific resource of dissemination which is relevant to your field and project.

Taught modules are delivered via a blend of interactive online learning sessions, live online tutorials and self-paced activities. For research project modules, there will be some taught sessions and you will receive support from the module co-ordinator and your research supervisor to facilitate your self-development and independent learning as a researcher.

The course has a variety of assessments including practical research tasks, written assignments, verbal presentations, self-development portfolios, culminating in a written thesis and dissemination activities featuring the results of your research project.

While delivered online, students are welcome on campus and could choose to undertake a research project which requires them to be present on campus at certain times - this activity will be agreed with the assigned research supervisor.