Master in Research Methods
RI7-O05-21
Taught Units Only (No Apprenticeship/No Placement/ No Internship)
Level 7
Qualification
Accredited via MCAST’s Self Accreditation Process (MCAST holds Self-Accrediting Status as per 1st schedule of Legal Notice 296/2012)
Blended Learning
3 Years
90 ECTS
2250 Hours
(Applicable for Non-EU and Non-EEA Countries) – the fee mentioned here is indicative. Please refer to www.mcast.edu.mt, as well as to MCAST’s MG2I International Section for any updated fees as well as terms of payments.
2024-10-01
The official language of instruction at MCAST is English. All notes and textbooks are in English (except for language courses, which will be in the respective language being instructed). International candidates will be requested to meet English language certification requirements for access to the course.
Applications to full-time courses are received online via the College Management Information System. Applicants can log-in using Maltese Electronic ID (eID) in order to access the MCAST Admissions Portal directly and create one’s own student account with the identity being verified electronically via this secure service.
Non-EID applicants need to request account creation though an online form after that they confirm that their local Identification Document does not come with an EID entitlement. . Once the identity is verified and the account is created on behalf of the applicant, one may proceed with the online application according to the same instructions applicable to all other applicants.
For more information about how to apply online for a course at MCAST, please visit: https://mcast.edu.mt/how-to-apply-online-2/
Non-EU candidates require a study visa in order to travel to Malta and join the course applied for. For further information re study-visa please access https://www.identitymalta.com/unit/central-visa-unit/.
MCAST has four campuses as follows:
MCAST Main Campus
Triq Kordin,
Paola, Malta
All courses except for courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences and the Gozo Campus are offered at the Main Campus address (above).
Courses delivered by the Institute for the Creative Arts, the Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences, or the Gozo Campus, are offered in one of the following addresses as applicable:
Institute for the Creative Arts
Mosta Campus
Misraħ Għonoq Tarġa Gap,
Mosta
Institute of Applied Sciences
Centre of Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences,
Luqa Road, Qormi
Gozo Campus
J.F. De Chambray Street
MCAST, Għajnsielem
Gozo
In the case of courses delivered via Online Learning, students will be following the programme from their preferred location/address.
Programmes delivered via Blended Learning, and which therefore contain both an online and a face to face component shall be delivered as follows:
Face to Face components – as per above address instructions
Online components – from the student’s preferred address.
English
The MCAST Master in Research Methods (MResMethods) programme is carried out via a taught methodology component that is then developed into a detailed research endeavour that has to be implemented, presented and defended at Master’s level. Students will have demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge by designing and developing advanced research skills using specific tools and a robust methodological approach. The programme guides the student towards compiling peer-reviewed research articles at publishable level. It provides the student with sound practical knowledge and experience in preparation for a career that includes a significant research element, as well as in the preparation and training for a research endeavour at doctoral level.
Malti
Il-programm tal-MCAST li jwassal għal Master in Research Methods (MResMethods) jikkonsisti f’komponent ta’ metodoloġija mgħallma fil-klassi, li mbagħad tiġi żviluppata f’biċċa xogħol ta’ riċerka li trid tiġi implimentata, ippreżentata u difiża f’livell ta’ Master. L-istudenti jkunu mistennija juru oriġinalità fl-applikazzjoni ta’ dak li jkunu tgħallmu billi jiddisinjaw u jiżviluppaw ħiliet ta’ riċerka avvanzati bl-użu ta’ għodod speċifiċi u metodoloġija b’saħħitha. Il-kors jiggwida lill-istudenti biex jiktbu artikli ta’ riċerka (li jiġu riveduti minn kollegi akkademiċi) li jilħqu l-livell addattat biex ikunu jistgħu jiġu ppubblikati. Il-kors jagħti lill-parteċipanti tagħrif prattiku sod u esperjenza bi tħejjija għal karriera b’element qawwi ta’ riċerka, kif ukoll bi preparazzjoni u taħriġ għal xogħol ta’ riċerka f’livell ta’ dottorat.
A relevant first degree at 180 ECTS or more.
A MQF Level 5 qualification and adequate professional experience may also be considered for mature students.
At the end of the programme the learner will be able to:
1.Identify main area of study and theme being researched, specifying research question/s and objectives, and critically research the literature on selected research topic
2.Appraise relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application
3.Evaluate main ethical issues implied by the choice of research
4.Develop and implement advanced research skills using specific tools and the corresponding methodological approach
5.Present and defend research outcomes before an appropriate audience, in a constructive manner.
The programmes offered are vocational in nature and entail both theoretical lectures delivered in classes as well as practical elements that are delivered in laboratories, workshops, salons, simulators as the module requirements dictate.
Each module or unit entails a number of in person and/or online contact learning hours that are delivered by the lecturer or tutor directly (See also section ‘Total Learning Hours).
Access to all resources is provided to all registered students. These include study resources in paper or electronic format through the Library and Resource Centre as well as tools, software, equipment and machinery that are provided by the respective institutes depending on the requirements of the course or module.
Students may however be required to provide consumable material for use during practical sessions and projects unless these are explicitly provided by the College.
All Units of study are assessed throughout the academic year through continuous assessment using a variety of assessment tools. Coursework tasks are exclusively based on the Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria as prescribed in the course specification. The Learning Outcomes and Grading Criteria are communicated to the Student via the coursework documentation.
The method of assessment shall reflect the Level, credit points (ECTS) and the schedule of time-tabled/non-timetabled hours of learning of each study unit. A variety of assessment instruments, not solely Time Constrained Assignments/Exams, are used to gather and interpret evidence of Student competence toward pre-established grading criteria that are aligned to the learning outcomes of each unit of the programme of study.
Grading criteria are assessed through a number of tasks, each task being assigned a number of marks. The number of grading criteria is included in the respective Programme Specification.
The distribution of marks and assessment mode depends on the nature and objectives of the unit in question.
Coursework shall normally be completed during the semester in which the Unit is delivered.
Time-constrained assignments may be held between 8 am and 8 pm during the delivery period of a Unit, or at the end of the semester in which the Unit is completed. The dates are notified and published on the Institute notice boards or through other means of communication.
Certain circumstances (such as but not limited to the Covid 19 pandemic) may lead Institutes and Centres to hold teaching and assessment remotely (online) as per MCAST QA Policy and Standard for Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment (Doc 020) available via link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/
The Programme Regulations pertaining to this Programme’s MQF/EQF level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/, apply.
All MCAST programmes adopt a Learner-centred approach through the focus on Learning Outcomes. The assessment of MCAST programmes is criterion-referenced and thus assessors are required to assess learners’ evidence against a pre-determined set of Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria.
For a student to be deemed to have successfully passed a unit, a minimum of 50% (grade D) must be achieved.
All full time units are individually graded as follows:
A* (90-100)
A (80-89)
B (70-79)
C (60-69)
D (50-59)
Unsatisfactory work is graded as ‘U’.
Work-based learning units are graded on a Pass/Fail basis only.
Detailed information regarding the grading system may be found in the Programme Regulations pertaining to this programme’sMQF/EQF Level available at: link https://www.mcast.edu.mt/college-documents/
MCAST Career Guidance
Tel: 2398 7135/6
Email: career.guidance@mcast.edu.mt
Download PIT (Public Information Template) pdf here
Download Abridged Course Spec pdf here
Last updated: 2024-08-01
MCAST Main Campus 
+356 2398 7100
information@mcast.edu.mt