Module PSYC1062: Introduction to Psychological Research

Department: Psychology

PSYC1062: Introduction to Psychological Research

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• For Single Honours Psychology students only: PSYC1071 Introduction to Psychology I and PSYC1081 Introduction to Psychology II. For other students taking the British Psychological Society accredited pathway in Psychology: PSYC1071 Introduction to Psychology I OR PSYC1081 Introduction to Psychology II

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology

Content

• This module introduces students to key methods used in designing, conducting, analysing and presenting research in Psychology
• Students undertake a series of lectures and practicals covering basic research skills including how to collect and analyse data, how to carry out research in an ethical and scientific way, how to conduct analyses using relevant statistical software, and how to appropriately summarise and present findings in the production of structured research reports.
• Students will take part in practical examples/demos of studies and take part in research studies within the department to introduce them to a wide range of experimental methods and provide an understanding of research from the participants perspective.
• Training in digital skills relevant to psychological research, including the use of statistical software, spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel - data entry, calculations, formulas etc) and data visualisation tools.

Learning Outcomes

• Basic knowledge of some key research methods in psychology
• Basic knowledge of some statistical methods for psychology

• Developing competence in the design and conduct of experiments, including hypothesis testing and data interpretation
• Developing digital skills in data handling and statistical analysis using appropriate software (e.g.JASP, Excel)

• Developing ability to organise and utilise knowledge
• Developing written communication skills
• Developing digital skills, including IT proficiency, data analysis using statistical software, and effective data presentation

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

• The module is taught using a blended approach of in-person lectures, practicals and drop-in classes, and asynchronous online learning activities.
• The lectures and practicals used in this module guide students' acquisition of some key research skills in Psychology, including the ability to organise and utilise knowledge and an understanding of the link between data and theory.
• Drop-in sessions allow students to seek additional statistical support when needed.
• Assessment of these skills is achieved by a mix of formative and summative assignments which aim to help students gauge their knowledge of key facts and keep them focused on building their knowledge, research participation and, by the examination
• These assessments, in addition to providing feedback of a student's standard of work, also allow students to hone their organisational, statistical, and written abilities, and develop their understanding of theoretical issues.
• Competence in the design and conduct of research is facilitated by all the teaching methods used
• Students, working in groups, are encouraged to develop their expertise by carrying out their own studies in practical classes, and this is assessed by students individually writing up a summative report
• Training in the use of research methods, statistical analyses and statistical packages is provided via lectures and reinforced in the practical
• Competence of these skills is assessed by the formative and summative reports, where statistical analyses form part of the report, the in-year test and exercises, where the ability to apply basic statistical knowledge appropriately is appraised
• Written skills training content is provided via lectures and practicals, and by feedback on the formative and summative lab reports
• Written communication skills are also assessed in the formative and summative assignments, where students are asked to produce structured critical research reports, and in the written examination
• Digital skills are embedded throughout the module via hands-on use of statistical packages, online resources (e.g., Blackboard), interactive practicals, and digital platforms for research for report writing (e.g. word processes - Word, Exel or PowerPoint).
• Learning through participation in research is fostered via the Psychology Department research participation scheme with students encouraged via course credit

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative practical report.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.