Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module PSYC3211: PSYCHOLOGY LITERATURE REVIEW

Department: Psychology

PSYC3211: PSYCHOLOGY LITERATURE REVIEW

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • 60 credits from Level 2 Psychology (C800)

Corequisites

  • 20 credits from Level 3 Psychology

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • PSYS3012 Applied Psychology Dissertation OR PSYC3102 Psychology Dissertation OR PSYC3041 Psychology Project & Statistics

Aims

  • To provide the opportunity for students to explore an area of psychology in depth by conducting a literature review of a specific area

Content

  • Students will conduct a narrative or systematic review of a topic in psychological science chosen in collaboration with their supervisor

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Detailed knowledge of specialist area in psychology including current theory, evidence and research methods
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Identification of a topic in psychological science amenable to a review
  • Ability to find and locate relevant empirical and theoretical studies
  • Ability to identify and reflect critically on the strengths and weaknesses of empirical studies and the conclusions reached by these studies
  • Ability to identify key themes in a field of research
  • Ability to critically review, analyse and synthesise different empirical and theoretical perspectives
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and presentation
  • Abilities to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

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

  • Students complete the review under the supervision of an experienced researcher. The supervision meetings will stimulate critical thinking based on the students’ knowledge of the scientific literature
  • The review allows students to demonstrate their capacity for analytical and evaluative thinking in a single body of research. Formative feedback will be provided on the 1st draft of the review.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Supervisory Meetings 10 1 hour 10
Preparation & Reading 190
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Literature Review 3,500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Formative feedback will be provided on the 1st draft of the review


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