Master of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis

Programme overview

The Master of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis will prepare you to become a social scientific data analyst & professional researcher. The focus of the master programme is on the process of conducting social research, research methodology, and applied theory. Coursework involves extensive and intensive training in the process of conducting social research, research design, methodology, qualitative and quantitative methods (students are taught to analyse using state-of-the-art programming language ’R’), as well as applied theory, theory building, and relevant interdisciplinary theories. As a graduate, you will be well suited for two complementary job markets: as data analysts, researchers, and research project managers within the private and public spheres, and civil society, as well as PhD candidateships within academia.

The programme will train students with the following qualifications:

A. the professional researcher, analyst of social data, and research manager: professional researchers skilled in a variety of methods, to include at least intermediate to advanced quantitative and qualitative methods. Methods and methodological skills will allow graduates not only to conduct research and analysis but also will allow them to better assess and use existing studies as evidence for policy/programme design. An in-depth understanding of the method used in a study allows students to immediately see flaws and opportunities for improvement of the evidence base for the policy/programme an organisation is developing. Ideal labour markets here would be ’data science’ with social scientific training (e.g. conducting data analysis, market research for research organisations, IT companies, general organisational consultancies, risk management firms, intelligence analysis, or other private companies).

B. the PhD candidate with strong methodology training linked to both methods and theory: training students who would like to apply for an international PhD position and learn applicable skills (methods, methodology, research design, meta-theory, using social theory).

In addition to the above-mentioned skills, students will also learn programming skills (in ’R’, a flexible, powerful, and open-source statistics-oriented programming language) and research publishing skills. Students with diverse backgrounds in quantitative methods and statistics — whether beginners or those with more experience — will find a challenging and supportive home in the programme.

Degree

After completing the programme, students will acquire a Degree of Master (120 credits) of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis.