PSY4073 - Research Methods in Psychology 1

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module provides students with a foundation in quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis. Competencies in research methods and analysis are related to the processes of effective study design, ethical working practices, analysis and handling of qualitative data and quantitative data. Students are introduced to tools for data collection (Online Surveys and E-Prime) and analysis (SPSS). Students will take part in psychological research that has been designed by themselves and by others. This enables the students to develop a sophisticated appreciation of the value of the discipline outside of the classroom.
The module helps to prepare students with the kinds of skills that are valued by employers and provides students with the requisite skills for investigative work throughout their degree.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Workshops
Hours: 40

Intended Group Size: 50

Guided independent study
Hours: 240

Further details relating to assessment
The quantitative research report will enable students to gain experience of writing up research findings, whilst thequalitative portfoliowill enable students to develop fundamental skills in qualitative research methods (e.g. designing semi-structured interview schedules, transcription of data, reflexive analysis). Module ethics is in place for the data collection.

Research participation is an essential component of an accredited Psychology degree. The BPS Code of Human Research Ethics states that student participation in psychological research provides them with valuable experience in research methodology and ethical considerations. Therefore, participation in research is considered a prerequisitive for students to conduct their own research. A pass in research participation will be a minimum of 7-hours participation in research studies advertised by Level 6, PGRs and staff. Students will be able to choose the studies they participate in. Students who do not complete 7-hours of participation will be offered an alternative assessment. The alternative assessment will comprise a 1,000-word essay related to research in psychology. This alternative assessment will be marked as Pass/Fail with the generic marking criteria grid being used to determine work of a pass quality (>40%).

Students will have the opportunity to undertake formative assessment as part of the workshop sessions.

Assessment components are essential elements of the BPS-accredited programme.

Assessment:

001 Quantitative report; 2,000 words; end of semester 1 50%
002 Qualitative report; 3,000 words; end of semester 2 50%
003 Research participation; 7 hours or 1,000 word equiv; end of semester 2 %

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Candice Whitaker
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

Click here to go back to previous page