Module PSYS2101: METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2

Department: PSYCHOLOGY (APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS2101: METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2

Prerequisites

• Level 1 core modules.

Corequisites

• Research Design and Data Analysis.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To give students, working in small groups, the opportunity to apply their knowledge of quantitative research methods and statistics to address a problem area in psychology.
• To alert students to the use of some additional methods, including qualitative methods, not covered in the course so far.

Content

• A range of methods in experimental psychology are encountered, being broader and more complex in application than those covered in the level 1 Methods in Psychology module (PSYS1051). A greater degree of student autonomy than that needed in PSYS1051 is expected in the conduct of the practicals in this module.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstration of knowledge of a range of research paradigms and methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods and the ability to assess alternative methods of addressing a problem with minimal guidance.

• Students passing this module should be able to:
• Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
• Recognise and address ethical issues in psychological research.
• Demonstrate competence in designing and conducting small-scale research projects and evaluating the strengths and limitations of this work.
• Display skills in data handling and the competent application of statistical procedures, including evaluation of the suitability of the procedure employed.
• Interpret data and research findings and integrate these with other key findings in the literature.

• Students passing this module should be able to:
• Demonstrate competence in written communication skills (demonstrated by satisfactory scientific report writing).
• Demonstrate competent IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students will complete a series of practicals blocks giving them exposure to a range of paradigms and methods including quantitative, qualitative and observational methods. The projects undertaken will be student-lead and hence will involve the students in designing, conducting and analysing small empirical studies. The summative assessment of the empirical work consists of a laboratory reports based upon one of the experimental studies carried out by students during the course and a written report on a qualitivate study and hence assesses students??? competence in designing, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research. Reports will also be used to assess students??? ability to integrate their findings with theory and other published research and critically evaluate this work. Assessment criteria will also include students??? data handling and presentation, scientific report writing and IT skills.
• The final summative assessment consists of preparation of a research proposal, likely to form the basis for the students??? dissertation work in level 3. This proposal is used to assess students??? ability to formulate a research question and select an appropriate research design. Particular emphasis will be placed on assessing appreciation of the ethical issues raised in the research proposal. Students will develop the skills necessary to prepare such a proposal in workshops and will submit two other proposals as formative assignments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two outline proposals.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University