Real Life Methods ran from October 2005 to January 2009. This website is archived and no longer maintained. For up to date information, please see www.manchester.ac.uk/realities

About us

National Centre for Research Methods

Real Life Methods is a Node of the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM). The NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to improve the quality and range of methodological skills and techniques used by social scientists in the UK.

NCRM is made up of a co-ordinating hub, based at the University of Southampton, and a series of six research Nodes, based at universities across the UK. Each node focuses on a different area or areas of methodological research.

Real Life Methods Node

Real Life Methods Node is based at the universities of Manchester and Leeds, under the direction of Professor Jennifer Mason. We started on 1 October 2005 and finished on 31 January 2009.

The Realities Node, based at the University of Manchester, started on 1 October 2008 and develops and extends the work of Real Life Methods. Go to the Realities website >

Research

Our research is based in the subject areas of family, youth and community. The research programme is made up of four projects and a programme of synergising activities that link and extend them. Our methodological approach mirrors the interdisciplinary nature of the research by combining different methods with the aim of grasping the multi-dimensionality of 'real lives'. See our research pages for more information.

Training and Capacity Building

Our training and capacity building programme includes training workshops for the academic social science community, and for research users and social scientists working outside academia, a seminar programme, linked PhD studentship and masters bursary, and visiting fellowships/placements. See our training pages for more information.