Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledesc
ript/index.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Principles of Social Research
Module code
1104
Module Organisers
Judith Green and Joelle Mak
Contact email
judith.green@lshtm.ac.uk or joelle.mak@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Public Health & Policy
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
This module is weighted as equivalent to 10 credits, within the larger 60-credit
Term 1 super-module for each MSc course. Credits are not awarded for this
module individually, but only for successful completion of the Term 1 supermodule.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
Research methods, methodology, qualitative methods, surveys.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To introduce the basic principles of practice and theory in social research and
to demonstrate their application to the empirical study of health.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in social research
methodology;
Identify appropriate research designs for a range of research questions in
health;
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different research designs and
data collection methods;
Critically evaluate published social research studies;
Demonstrate an understanding of how social research findings can be used
in public health disciplines.
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Target audience
This module is compulsory for students taking MSc Public Health, MSc
Demography & Health, MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, and MSc
Public Health in Developing Countries. It is optional for other MScs. It is a
prerequisite for the module Qualitative Methodologies (1700) and would
provide good preparation for the following modules: Health Care Evaluation
(1400); Medical Anthropology and Public Health (1802); Sociological
Approaches to Health (1803); and History and Health (1401).
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Methodology and philosophy underpinning social research

Surveys (using surveys, designing questionnaires);
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Qualitative methods (data collection using interviews, focus groups,
participant observation, analysis of qualitative data)
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Using documents for social research (e.g. policy documents, media and
visual representations)
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Module handbook containing lecture notes, seminar notes, key readings, and
resource lists of additional readings. Online content including lecture slides,
frequently asked questions, audio recordings of lectures (where possible) and
sometimes other content e.g. links to relevant media.
Teaching and learning
methods
Ten weekly lectures, together with essential reading, provide the structure and
overview of key concepts. Two seminars are based around critical reading of a
selection of social science articles; the others are practical sessions in which
students develop skills in refining research questions, interviewing,
questionnaire design and qualitative data collection. Some additional reading
is also required.
Assessment details
The module is assessed by an end of term progress test. This does not count
towards the final degree. Summative assessment is by written examination in
June.
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place on a date notified by the Module Organiser.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt at
the written examination, the next examination date will normally be the
following May/June.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 10 weeks at 0.5 days per week; this module runs on
Thursday afternoons.
Dates
For 2015/16 the module will start on Thursday 8 October 2015 and finish on
Thursday 17 December 2015.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot Term 1
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Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 100 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 26 hours
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Directed self-study ≈ 24 hours
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Self-directed learning ≈ 20 hours
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Assessment, review and revision ≈ 30 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
None (other than standard requirements for MSc at LSHTM)
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 250 per year and may be capped according to
facility and staff availability.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. This module is compulsory for students taking MSc Public Health,
MSc Demography & Health, MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, and
MSc Public Health in Developing Countries. It is optional for other MScs.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is not
required for this module, unless they wish to attend seminars as well as
lectures, in which case they must attend the full set. The assessment for
research degrees students is optional.
Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the
order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is reached.
Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next time the
module is run.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
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Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline is the end
of Term 1 Orientation Week, Friday 2 October 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time. The School gives priority to the needs of students registering for
Masters and Research Degrees, and so places on any module may be limited
- early application is therefore advised. Formal registration will take place
on the morning of the first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 3 June 2014 by Cicely Marston and Joelle Mak
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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