The course has a simple two part structure; the 1st phase of the course (3-6 months depending on the start date) is a taught phase dealing with research methods and skills; once students have passed this phase they then move on to the second phase, which is the research phase; again this phase lasts from between 3 and 6 months, and requires students to complete a dissertation of 20,000 words; the taught phase will enable students to: identify and assess qualitative and quantitative research methodologies; recognise and evaluate the conceptual issues and practical procedures that are associated with qualitative and quantitative research; examine existing research within the area of their research project; produce a research proposal and plan for their proposed research project; use suitable computer packages to analyse qualitative and quantitative information.