Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Methods

Purpose

The general purpose of the qualification is to develop learners' expertise in social research methodology and social research techniques to enhance their capacity as social researchers.

The qualification addresses national knowledge and skills' needs for the development of professional social science researchers who can undertake applied research on major social issues. It aims to build research capacity amongst social researchers and is aimed at learners who wish to become practising social researchers, development planners in local and national government research and planning units, policy analysts and advisers, not only in South Africa, but also throughout the continent of Africa. Opportunities for experiential learning exist as learners can apply their newly acquired knowledge in their work environment.

Rationale

There is a need to build research capacity amongst social researchers in South Africa. The qualification is aimed at all people involved in social research in South Africa and throughout the African continent. New advances in the social sciences need to be developed and analysed and sound ways of implementing them, found. This qualification aims to help develop people who should be able to assist in that regard, thereby advancing social service and social science delivery.

Learners registering for this qualification should be in possession of the knowledge and analytical skills that are developed through Bachelor Degree study at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to grant

• Access to learners who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission.
• Credits towards the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning is applied in terms of the "Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning" of the Stellenbosch University.

Access to the Qualification

Learners registering for this qualification should be in possession of a Bachelor's Degree in the broad field of the social sciences at NQF Level 7 and an average of at least 65% in the last year of study.

Students are required to complete two Compulsory modules and six Elective modules.

All the modules are at NQF Level 8, and have 15 credits each.

Compulsory modules

• Understanding Social Research.
• Principles of Research Design.

Electives (choose 6)

• Survey Methodology.
• Quantitative Data Analysis with Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS): Basic.
• Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS: Advanced (pre-requisite: Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS:Basic).
• Qualitative Research Methods.
• Theory of Qualitative Data Analysis.
• Qualitative Data Analysis using Atlas.ti (pre-requisite: Theory of Qualitative Data Analysis).
• Programme Evaluation: Basic Concepts.
• Programme Evaluation: Design (pre-requisite: Programme Evaluation: Basic Concepts).
• Case Study Methodology.
• Interviewing Methods.
• Politics and Ethics of Social Research.
• Capita Selecta (Subject to departmental approval, a learner registered for this module may take a postgraduate module offered in another programme that adds value to the learner's module combination within the Postgraduate Diploma and is worth at least 15 credits. The selection must contribute to the learner's understanding of conceptual, analytical or methodological issues in the social sciences).

• Reflect on research design and own research practice and thereby improve the quality of own research.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the main approaches and paradigms, both quantitative and qualitative, in empirical social research.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the challenges and requirements of ethical research design and practice.
• Demonstrate the necessary skills and conceptual knowledge to become good social researchers and teachers of social research.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

The following Assessment Criteria while listed under specific modules are used in an integrated way to determine competence against the Exit Level Outcomes. The set of Assessment Criteria that are used are determined by the choice of modules taken by the individual learner and can vary from learner to learner.

Understanding Social Research

• Demonstrate understanding of the historical development of the social sciences.
• Demonstrate understanding of epistemological and methodological debates on the practice of social research.

Principles of Research Design

• Describe the theoretical assumptions underpinning different types of research design.
• Articulate and draft a research design appropriate to a chosen research topic.

Survey Methodology

• Explain the logic and process of conducting surveys.
• Plan and undertake basic surveys.
• Design basic questionnaires.
• Design and evaluate various types of probability samples.
• Demonstrate understanding of the implications of questionnaire design for analysis.
• Evaluate critically surveys undertaken by others.

Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS: Basic

• Apply principles of basic quantitative data analysis.
• Create and manage a quantitative database on SPSS.
• Do basic quantitative data analysis on SPSS.
• Determine which statistical procedures are suitable for which purpose.
• Create appropriate tables and graphs to visually present data.
• Interpret and present quantitative results in a form appropriate for research reports.

Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS: Advanced

• Demonstrate understanding of the basic logic of statistical reasoning as it applies to regression analysis of survey data.
• Translate statistical findings into social descriptions and vice versa, to translate theoretical expectations into their possible statistical manifestations.
• Demonstrate appreciation of the nature of numerically-based arguments and their strengths and shortcomings.
• Conduct multiple regression analysis based on survey data.
• Undertake factor analysis and attitude scaling on survey data.
• Evaluate the adequacy of alternative interpretations on the basis of the statistical results.
• Develop sufficient SPSS literacy to be able to create, modify, and analyse data sets.
• Present statistical information in a form appropriate for research reports and theses.

Qualitative research methods

• Demonstrate understanding of the nature of ethnographic research as a set of approaches to the qualitative study of people, their interactions, social structures and systems of meaning.
• Identify and use a variety of qualitative research methods and techniques.
• Monitor current debates concerning some of the core concepts fundamental to the understanding of ethnographic research.
• Design an ethnographic research project.
• Analyse ethnographic texts in terms of methodology and its linkages to theory and analysis.
• Decide on appropriate research methods in specific research settings and align these with a research problem.

Theory of Qualitative Data Analysis

• Demonstrate understanding of theoretical issues associated with the collection, coding and interpretation of qualitative data.
• Demonstrate understanding of theoretical issues associated with Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS).

Qualitative Data Analysis using Atlas.ti

• Demonstrate competency using Atlas.ti for the purpose of qualitative data analysis.

Programme Evaluation: Basic Concepts

• Use programme evaluation terminology correctly and confidently.
• Indicate the typical logic and evaluation questions implicit in the hierarchy of programme evaluation.
• Construct a programme theory for a specific programme.
• Test the plausibility of the programme theory by reviewing and collating relevant social science research and theories.
• Design a monitoring and evaluation framework for a specific programme.

Programme Evaluation: Design

• Apply concepts of evaluation in programme evaluations.
• Distinguish between the different types of evaluations and know how they are applied in programme evaluation.
• Demonstrate understanding of the different methods and approaches to the types of evaluations.
• Develop different tools to collect data for programme evaluation.
• Develop evaluation proposals for programmes.
• Design the structure and content of a programme evaluation report.
• Conduct programme evaluations.

Case study methodology

• Demonstrate understanding of the scope, strengths and limitations of case study research, particularly in the South African context.
• Know whether and when to use case studies as a research method.
• Design single, comparative and embedded case studies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and follow the correct principles to collect and analyse case study evidence.
• Interpret and present case study findings in a form appropriate for research reports.

Interviewing Methods

• Demonstrate understanding of and apply general interview strategies.
• Demonstrate understanding of and identify inhibitors and facilitators of communication in interview situations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of when and how to apply different techniques of interviewing

> Range of interviewing techniques include but is not limited to: Structured, semi-structured, focus groups and unstructured interviewing.

• Identify, understand and consistently apply interview ethics.

Politics and Ethics of Social Research

• Reflect critically on the political and ethical responsibilities attached to research, including in own research practice.
• Describe and apply the key principles and protocols including their historical context, that have been developed within the social sciences, to promote ethical research.
• Engage critically with major debates on the most appropriate ways to promote and manage ethical research in the social sciences.
• Apply Stellenbosch University's 'Framework Policy for the Assurance and Promotion of Ethically Accountable Research' to own research project(s).

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment has been appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

More than one assessment is required per module.

Assessments formats include

• Class tests
• Short assignments during tutorials
• Class participation
• Longer written assignments based on case studies.

During tutorials learner progress is monitored by smaller assessments that are used to identify problems that can be addressed during the class week.

Assessment also includes practical research projects, especially in the longer assignments (depending on the aims and nature of a particular module).