In today's information society, we are constantly exposed to `research findings'. Each day when we read the newspapers or listen to the television news we are told `Research shows that...', `According to a recent study...', or `Studies generally agree that...'. It is essential to have a certain degree of `research literacy' to be able to cope with the flood of `facts' we are exposed to on a daily basis. Postgraduate study in applied social research aims to provide an understanding of the particular strengths and weaknesses of each type of empirical study to enable a critical assessment of the facts that are presented to the public. Another issue of concern is the role that research plays in the shaping of government policies. Applied social research is the application of the analytical tools of the social sciences to the social, political and economic problems in today's society. The aim of applied social research is to develop a practical understanding of the design process and execution of social research projects focused on immediate problems and their resolution.
For further information on the following courses, contact the School of Political and Social Inquiry.
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