Graduate School for the Social Sciences
Research Training Programme Overview
Vice-Principal & Head of College of Social
Sciences: Prof Anne Anderson
Dean of the Graduate School: Prof Richard Berry
Interim Director of Graduate Training: Dr Jo Ferrie
Jo.Ferrie@glasgow.ac.uk
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School of Social
and Political
Sciences
School of
Interdisciplinary
Studies
School of
Education
College
of Social
Sciences
School of
Law
School of
Business
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School of Social
and Political
Sciences
School of
Interdisciplinary
Studies
College of
Social
Sciences
School of
Education
School of
Law
School of
Business
GS
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Scottish Graduate School
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Events, representation, training and networks open to all PGR students – and
information about applying for PhD funding for MSc or MRes students
http://www.socsciscotland.ac.uk
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Who do I talk to?
Postgraduate Taught (PGT)
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Programme leader
Graduate advisors
Postgraduate Taught administrators in your school
Grad School (gradschool.socsci@glasgow.ac.uk)
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Who do I talk to?
Postgraduate Research (PGR)
• Your supervisor
• Graduate advisors
• Grad School (gradschool.socsci@glasgow.ac.uk)
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Graduate School for the Social Sciences
Location:
Florentine House, Room 107 – next to the Fraser Building, just up from
the Library main entrance
College office opening hours:
Monday 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Graduate School Research Training Website:
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http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/graduateschool/
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People...
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Dr Dickon Copsey College Employability Officer
Mrs Fiona Green Graduate School Administrator
Mr Alan McConnell College Administrator
Mrs Myrtle M Porch Graduate School Administrative Assistant
Dr Gayle Pringle College International Student Learning Officer
Miss Linda Thomson Graduate School Training Secretary
Ms Adriana Torres College Recruitment and Conversion Marketing
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Graduate School Research Training Website
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http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/graduateschool/gr
aduateschoolresearchtrainingprogramme/
• Graduate School Handbook:
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http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_240039_en.pdf
• Graduate School Researcher Development Programme:
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http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/employability/graduateschoolresear
cherdevelopmentprogramme/
Forms:
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Application for Extension to assignment submission deadlines form (.doc)
Declaration of Originality Form (doc)
See
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/graduateschool/graduateschoolrese
archtrainingprogramme/#d.en.212489
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Core Courses delivered by Graduate School
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Social Science Statistics 1
Social Science Statistics 2
Qualitative Methods
Advanced Qualitative Methods*
Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
– * the AQM not required unless replacing SSS2
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Registration, Enrolment & Induction 2013/14
PGR
PGT
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http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/graduateschool/registrationfornewstudents/
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Research Training Programme
• All new PhD students are strongly advised to attend
all or part of the RTP.
• A significant number of Masters students are also
required to complete elements of the RTP as part of their
programme.
• You should discuss your participation with your
supervisor(s) prior to the start of formal teaching as a
matter of urgency.
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New Postgraduate research students
• You need to self-enrol on your chosen courses via
MyCampus
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Research Training Programme
• Basic aims:
– To meet the broad training needs of Postgraduate research
students
– To provide appropriate input into designated Research Training
Masters/Diploma courses (see pages 5-10 for an overview)
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Structure of the research training programme
• Core elements:
– Social Science Statistics (1 & 2)
– Qualitative Research Methods
– Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
– Note: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods is allowed as an
alternative to SSS 2
– Students who complete and pass all of the core courses to a
satisfactory level will be awarded a Certificate in Social Science
Research
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Core elements - Registers
• Important:
– Registers are taken in class (a statement regarding attendance is
often requested by prospective employers along with a summary
of academic performance)
– Important that you sign these. The university is obliged to keep a
record of attendance by the UKBA
– Scholarship students – note that failure to sign registers can result
in a delay in payment of your stipend
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Course readers
• Bryman, A. 2004, 2nd ed. OR 2008 3rd ed. OR 2012 4th
ed. Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
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Social Science Statistics
1&2
• Dr Jo Ferrie & Colleagues
– Introduction to statistical methods in the social sciences
– Skills for interpreting and analysing data
– Assumes basic level of statistical/mathematical competence
• Introduction to SPSS Labs, Introductory lectures and tutorials compulsory
• Course lectures begin next week.
• Argyrous, G. Statistics for Research: With a Guide to SPSS (2nd Ed.
2011)
• Students are advised that a number of courses have required prereading, it is expected you will do this reading before the course
begins. We strongly encourage you to do this, as these readings lay
very important foundations for your courses. Students who put in the
effort to do the pre-reading find it very beneficial and are able to begin
courses well informed and get more out of the course in general.
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Adam
Smith
Macgregor
Bldg
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Qualitative Research Methods
• Dr Jo Ferrie & colleagues
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Familiarisation with applied research methods
Introduction to qualitative research methods
Ethics of research practice
Themes include: interview techniques, participant observation,
questionnaire design, etc.
Classes start: Tuesday 23rd September @ 1730, ADAM SMITH
BUILDING:1115
Tutorials the week after (you will be assigned groups)
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Introduction to Social Theory for Researchers
• Semester 2
• Dr Jo Ferrie & colleagues
– Exploration of founding figures of social science
– Examination of key theoretical and methodological questions
(19/20th Centuries)
– Emphasis on original texts
– Reflection on the sociological underpinnings of scientific
knowledge
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Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
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Semester 2
Dr Jo Ferrie
Greater depth than Qual Methods
More focussed on ‘in the field’ research
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Core Courses and Options - Outlines
• See outlines in the Graduate School Handbook
• Note that some of the options will be compulsory for
certain Masters degrees
• You should contact your Course Co-ordinator for details
• All courses have a minimum/maximum number of
students designated for them
• You should choose your options asap and inform the
course co-ordinator and your subject secretary
• List of options varies from year to year – especially
important for part-time students
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Dissertation
• Towards the end of the Graduate School Handbook...
• Every candidate for MRes/MSc is required to present a
dissertation for examination
• Original piece of work of some substance in which a
problem/hypothesis/question of importance to the author
is subjected to analysis and elucidation by an explicit
method/methods
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Dissertation and Ethical Approval
• All research involving human participants/human data or
material should have ethical approval
• This can be lengthy and requires planning well in
advance of your intended research period
• Dissertation supervisor
• Draft presented to the supervisor for comment – requires
careful planning
• More information - Friday
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Course evaluation & Staff/student consultation
• Via student questionnaires (also online)
• Informal comments/suggestions
• External examiners course reports
• Staff/student consultation
– Student reps from the RTP
– Student reps to be elected at the beginning of the academic year
(volunteers welcome)
– Staff/student committee meets at specific times during the year
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Here to support you
• The University is proud of the research excellence achieved
by colleagues and students, and values your vibrant and
talented contributions.
• Good opportunity to direct you to some key policies:
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Parental leave policy
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/staff/all/worklife/leave/parental/
Equality & Diversity for students
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/equalitydiversity/
Dignity at work and study
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/equalitydiversity/policy/dignityatw
ork/
Maternity leave policy
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/staff/all/worklife/leave/maternity/
Athena Swan
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 29
Absence/extensions
• Documentary evidence is required for any significant
absence and extension request
• Extension forms – via website
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