Overview

The Doctor of Social Science (DSocSc) is a full time advanced in-service programme running over 48 months from the date of first registration. Students may opt to register on a part-time basis in Years Three and Four of the programme; such students must complete the programme within 72 months of registration for the programme. Recruitment for the DSocSc occurs on a cyclical basis, i.e. every two years. Therefore, the programme modules listed are delivered on a cyclical basis every two years.

Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Research (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Students who pass SS7001, SS7002, SS7003 and SS7004 (60 credits) may choose to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Research.

Exit Award: MSocSc (Applied Social Research) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Students who pass SS7001, SS7002, SS7003, SS7004, SS7005, SS7006, SS7007 and SS7008 (120 credits) may choose to exit the programme and be conferred with a MSocSc (Applied Social Research).

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
SS7001	An Introduction to Social Research	15
SS7002	Philosophies of Social Science	15
SS7003	Research Methods and Skills 1: Qualitative	15
SS7004	Social Policy Debates and Processes	15
Research
Students will also undertake work on the thesis during Year. 1
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
SS7005	Research Methods and Skills 2: Quantitative	15
SS7006	State and Society	15
SS7007	The Politics and Ethics of Social Research	15
SS7008	Designing for Research and Evaluation	15
Research
Students will also undertake work on the thesis during Year. 1
Year 3
Research
Students complete research work, and develop agreed objectives and goals with their supervisor for the year. 2
Year 4
Research
Students complete research work, and continue to develop their thesis in consultation with their supervisor. 3

¹

Must meet the satisfaction of the Programme Board.

²

In Years 3 and 4 of the programme, students conduct their research in line with standard university procedures for the structured PhD degree.

³

At the end of the year, students present a thesis of approximately 60,000 words, which will be assessed through a viva voce examination.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for DSocSc (NFQ Level 10, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the role of social research and evaluation in society, and identify and formulate research ‘problems’;
  
• Apply theoretical and conceptual debates in the social sciences to the analysis of social issues and research;
  
• Critically analyse social policy debates and processes in the context of participants’ own work practices/organisation;
  
• Design and execute a substantive piece of social research as an autonomous researcher;
  
• Select and apply appropriate social research methodologies in addressing research problems;
  
• Effectively communicate research findings in both written and oral formats to a range of different audiences;
  
• Develop intellectual/professional leadership through the use of research as a method of developing organisations.