Peace and Conflict Studies, MSc

University of Aberdeen

Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative social science research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.

Karl Popper argued, wisely, at least this time, that all languages are theory-laden. In other words, if we are doing social science, it is impossible not to do theory, but we have a choice to do it well or poorly, informed by the thinking of others who have gone before us, or in ignorance of it. In this course we learn to reflect explicitly about that which may otherwise simply remain implicit in empirical sociological examination. In this project, we are assisted by important thinkers who have developed distinctive and influential ways of considering the social. We begin with classical sociological theory before moving on to the work of more recent social thought, giving students an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to jobbing social scientists.

The Dissertation IN Policy Evaluation can be completed either AS a research project OR AS a collaborative Monitoring AND Evaluation project FOR a partner organization IN the community seeking TO have ONE of their policies OR programmes assessed. IN either CASE, this project IS a major piece of independent WORK undertaken BY the student WITH the guidance AND supervision of a member of the teaching staff of the department. The project gives students an opportunity TO investigate a policy OR programme that excites their interest TO a depth NOT otherwise available IN the curriculum, AND TO develop either their research AND gain experience of independent study OR their M&E skills AND gain experience working WITH a partner organization IN the community. IF choosing TO complete a traditional dissertation the topic may derive FROM interests developed IN other courses, OR FROM subjects NOT otherwise covered IN the curriculum. IF choosing TO conduct the hands ON M&E project, THEN the topic will be driven largely BY the needs of the partner organization. IN either CASE, the project should involve the USE AND development of the research skills provided BY the programme. Students AND staff should attach appropriate effort TO this important piece of work.

Institutions and organizations are today commonly demanding evidence-based policy formation. As a result, the necessary social research methods for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) are in high demand. This course in Policy Evaluation is the core course in the MSc in Policy Evaluation and will equip graduates with the knowledge necessary to understand the current demand for, existing practices of, and substantial challenges to monitoring and evaluation of policy, implementation procedures, and impacts. The course serves as the primary topical course for this MSc and provides student with the theoretical and conceptual understanding of policymaking and programme implementation necessary to put M&E practices in context, and to better understand the need for specific M&E skills and how they might be best utilized across an array of work environments.