Module PSYC3122: Psychology and Anthropology Interdisciplinary Dissertation

Department: Psychology

PSYC3122: Psychology and Anthropology Interdisciplinary Dissertation

Prerequisites

• PSYC2261 Advanced Psychological Research for Non-single Honours AND ANTH2227 Conceptual Issues in Anthropology and Psychology AND ANTH2187 Research Project Design

Corequisites

• 20 credits of optional modules third year modules from Psychology; PSYC2251 Differential and Clinical Psychology; and 40 credits of optional third year modules in Anthropology

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide students with the experience of identifying an issue at the intersection of psychology and anthropology that is amenable to empirical investigation, formulating the research question, employing appropriate methods of investigation and analysis, and interpreting the results in light of relevant empirical work and psychological as well as anthropological theory
• To develop skills in independent research and project management by producing a dissertation on a selected specialist topic drawn from the intersection of the fields of psychology and anthropology.

Content

• The dissertation forms the main practical component of the final year course
• Students are expected to build on the skills acquired during the earlier part of the course to carry out an investigation at the intersection of psychology and anthroplogy
• Students will be supervised, taught and examined by a suitably qualified member of Psychology or Anthropology staff as considered by the BPS (British Psychological Society) and Board of Studies in Psychology. The Society considers individuals suitably qualified to supervise if they hold, as a minimum, a graduate qualification in psychology and/or a demonstrable track record of research or other scholarly activity of relevance to psychology. As appropriate, the supervisor will be supported by a member of staff from the non represented department to ensure a truly interdisciplinary dissertation.
• Ethics for the dissertation will be considered by the Psychology Department Ethics committee.
• Dissertations must be empirical, i.e. involve primary data collection or secondary data analysis where primary data collection is not appropriate/possible, though it is possible for students to pursue relevant non-experimental dissertations (e.g. connectionist modelling projects or novel theoretical work) with the special permission of the Board of Studies in Psychology.
• Clear presentation of results and appropriate analyses are very important, and critical evaluation relating findings to existing literature must be included
• The dissertation is written up as a scientific report in the form and standard found in psychology journals and will be assessed using the dissertation marking criteria of the Board of Examiners in Psychology.
• Students normally collect data working in their group, but must write up the dissertation individually

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of specialist areas across psychology and anthropology including current theory, evidence, ethics and research methods

• Identify an issue amenable to empirical investigation, and formulate a clear research question
• Competence in the selection and application of appropriate analytic procedures, and understanding of their limitations
• Ability to reflect critically on the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen design and the validity of the conclusions reached
• Ability to apply academic and professional codes of conduct in the design and conduct of original psychological research that intersects with anthropology

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelinesUndertaking independent study and research.

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

• This dissertation must be supervised, taught and examined by suitably qualified members of staff. To be suitably qualified staff must hold as a minimum, a graduate qualification in psychology and/or a demonstrable track record of research or other scholarly activity of relevance to psychology.
• Students complete their dissertation work under the supervision of an experienced researcher, and typically work in a group. This approach enables students to formulate, design, and conduct an independent piece of research with appropriate supervision and guidance. Independent study is required at all stages of the dissertation
• The design of the project is discussed in detail with the supervisor in one or more sessions and, during the running of the project, the supervisor is regularly informed by students of progress, by discussion or by email. Supervisory meetings provide advanced research training and the opportunity to engage in discussion which encourages students to think critically
• The formative assignment involves students producing, and then receiving feedback on, a small group presentation. This provides them with the opportunity to enhance the clarity of their scientific communication with regards to their research question and also improve their IT skills. In addition, to ensure the progress of the project and dissertation students must complete and submit a dissertation proforma.
• The written dissertation report allows students to demonstrate their evaluative, analytical and research skills in a single comprehensive piece of work
• Supervisors provide formative feedback on a draft of the dissertation (excluding the discussion section) submitted prior to the final deadline to help refine the report and extend students' analytical abilities and theoretical understanding enter text as appropriate for the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A short presentation that explains the specific hypotheses being tested, outlines the methodology and provides a timetable for the study together with an individually completed dissertation proforma. Students also have the opportunity to gain feedback on a single draft of the introduction, methods and results section of their dissertation.

■ 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