Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module PSYC40315: Research Design in Child and Clinical Psychology

Department: Psychology

PSYC40315: Research Design in Child and Clinical Psychology

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap
Tied to C8K009

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide an introduction to methods and designs used in developmental psychology and developmental psychopathology
  • To provide practical training in a range of transferable skills relevant for professional and personal development

Content

  • This module covers method and design issues for research in child and clinical psychology and covers topics such as:
  • Problems of experimental design and method in child and clinical research
  • Single case designs in clinical research
  • Use of complex tools such as Q methodology
  • Narrative methods, including the analysis of discourse
  • Professional skills, including legal and professional issues and the communication of research

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Acquisition of knowledge about factors influencing research design and method as applied to child and clinical research and practice
  • Detailed background and history/development of research within the field
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Developing an understanding of the nature of research design and methodologies as applied to modern child and clinical research
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Developing the ability to learn independently within broad guidelines

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

  • This module is taught through weekly two hour seminars for one term
  • This module is assessed formatively through a practical assignment
  • Summative assessment of this module is through an essay

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 10 weekly for 1 term 2 hours 20
Preparation and reading 130
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Practical assignment on methodologies derived from seminars


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