PSY7086 - Msc Thesis (Journal Format)

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Perform a systematic literature search in one area of psychology, demonstrating detailed knowledge and conceptual understanding.
Develop new and original hypotheses within that area, based upon the findings of previous psychological research.
Craft an original research design by way of confident application of suitable research methodologies and having regard for appropriate ethical procedures.
Collect, analyse and interpet empirical research data using approprate statistical analyses.
Write a research report in the style of published peer-reviewed journal articles in psychology.

Content:

This module provides an opportunity for students to complete an original investigation within a chosen field of psychology that is of particular interest to them. Students will complete a thorough literature search of the previous research relevent to their chosen subject area. Students will then apply the knowledge and skills developed in the Research Methods module to test their hypothesis(es). Students may choose any research methods appropriate to the particular area of enquiry. The information will then be written and presented in the form of an academic journal. This will emphasise the important of good design and the applciation of correct methodology, illustrating how effective research can further the cause of charities and other organisations.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will work independently for much of the time but supervisors will be available at time-tabled hours to give guidance in the initial design process, ethical procedures, data collection, and later, in the analysis and interpretation of the data and preparation of the report. A total of ten hours of supervisor meetings is suggested as an average (only). Some designs may require more support, and some less.

Lectures
Hours: 1
Intended Group size: Cohort

Supervisor meetings/tutorials
Hours: 10
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 589

Further details relating to assessment
In order to pass the module, a minimum mark of 40% in the ‘Dissertation’ element is required.
Ethical approval of the research must be obtained by a specified date as a condition for submission of the written report.
Students must make a formal written application for ethical approval by a specified deadline and must comply with any further deadlines for the submission of additional information as required by the Departmental Ethics Committee. Failure to secure ethical approval by a final deadline and, in any case, prior to commencing data collection will render the student ineligible to submit the written report, resulting in failure of the module.

Other relevant matters
Successful completion of this module is required for eligibility for GBC status.
If student work is of sufficient standard, it is suggested that the student consider submitting their journal article to a suitable psychology student journal, for example, the Journal of European Psychology Students (JEPS).

Assessment:

001 Thesis (Style of Journal Article) 6000 words end of August 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Dr Steven Jones
Level - 7
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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