Social Statistics PhD/MPhil
- Director: Dr K. Purdam
Programme structure
Research training and development
A PhD degree is awarded by the University 'research and training’, so training is mandatory for all PGR students. Your training should comprise general research methods training, specialist research training and transferable or generic skills training.
Your research training requirements will be assessed in consultation with your supervisors at the start of your degree programme and regularly thereafter.
If you do not already hold a research route master's, you are normally required to take:
- Qualitative Research Methods (QRM)
- Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (SOCS70511)
- Philosophy of Social Science.
Even if you have just completed a formal programme of research training, it is likely that you will have additional training needs at the outset and as you progress through your PhD. Completion of the Faculty online ‘Training Needs Analysis’ will help you identify priority areas for development.
General and transferable skills can also be gained. This may include short, one-day, courses and/or 12-week master's courses from the CMIST’s own programme, or elsewhere in the university.
Your research community
All our PGRs are expected to attend seminars on the Social Statistics/CMI seminar series which runs weekly through both semesters.
There are two series:
- Prestigious series in individual and social change which runs from 4pm every Tuesdays
- Informal research in progress series which runs on Tuesday lunch time (when there is no Social Statistics/CMI meeting)
As a PGR you will be expected to make seminar presentations as part of the Social Statistics/CMI lunchtime research-in-progress series.
The Cathie Marsh Institute (CMI)
PGRs are considered integral members of the Institute and involved in the full range of day to day social and research activities.
It is an interdisciplinary research centre for the application of quantitative methods in interdisciplinary social science research in order to generate a world class research environment. The Institute is directed by Professor Martin Everett, Director and and Professor Maria Sobolewska, Deputy Director.
Seminars
Attending research seminars is important for all PGRs. It serves as a useful way of integrating with colleagues, learning about the research they are doing, as well as playing a crucial training role in providing real-world exemplars of the research process, and exposure to presentation skills.
All our PGRs are expected to attend seminars on the Social Statistics/CMI seminar series which runs weekly through both semesters.
There are two series:
- Prestigious series in individual and social change which runs from 4pm every Tuesdays
- Informal research in progress series which runs on Tuesday lunch time (when there is no Social Statistics/CMI meeting)
As a PGR you will be expected to make seminar presentations as part of the Social Statistics/CMI lunchtime research-in-progress series.
You are also strongly encouraged to attend other seminars of interest from a wide range of seminar series run across the School and Faculty.
The weekly CMI seminars are usually held every Tuesday at 4.00-5.30pm. They are usually held in room 2.016 in the Arthur Lewis building or in Room 1.69 of Bridgeford Street Building, but this may change at short notice so please see the webpage for up to date details.
Presenting seminars
As a PhD student you will be expected to make seminar presentations as part of the lunchtime research-in-progress series.
- This is an excellent opportunity to share your research progress with colleagues, gain useful feedback and develop your presentation skills.
- It is a valuable preparation for presenting papers at conferences, which you will be encouraged to do after your first year.
- During the year, there will be a number of informal ‘Brownbag’ seminars and a mini-workshop where PhD students will have the opportunity to present their research to staff and peers alike.
If you are interested in giving a seminar, please contact Patty Doran and Dharmi Kapadia at cmistlunchtime@manchester.ac.uk.
These are usually held on Tuesdays from 12-1pm in the new CMIST seminar room, 2.07 HBS, and start with some lunch/refreshments. However, the venue may be subject to change depending on room availability.
External day courses
CMIST runs a programme of short courses for participants from outside the University. These are typically based around practical sessions in a computer cluster. These sessions always require helpers to provide assistance to course participants and we rely on our research students to fill this role. Most courses use SPSS or STATA so if you are familiar and confident with these packages there will be opportunities to work as workshop helpers. Given our close association between the ASR and the Social Statistics members of staff who run the short courses, it may be possible to be a teaching assistant on some of these short courses.
Social Research Methods and Statistics
This will involve classroom assistance as with the external courses.
Elsewhere in the School
It is also possible to get involved in teaching assistance work elsewhere in the School. This will typically be a teaching assistant on an undergraduate course. However, you must apply to join the graduate pool.
PGR representation
As a research student you are formally represented by an elected student representative (nominated from the current body of ASR research students).
Student Reps hold their position for one academic year, but can be re-elected in subsequent years. Student reps meet with the graduate team in specially convened meetings.
Who's who
Key people
Director of Social Statistics programme
| Name | Role | Room | Tel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. K. Purdam | HBS | Room G17 | 0161 275 4719 |
Head of Social Statistics
| Name | Role | Tel | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Professor Wendy Olsen |
Professor of Socio Economics | 53043 | Wendy.Olsen@manchester.ac.uk |