Module PSYC2232: Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

Department: Psychology

PSYC2232: Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

Prerequisites

• PSYC1062 Introduction to Psychological Research plus either PSYC1071 Introduction to Psychology 1 or PSYC1081 Introduction to Psychology 2

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop students’ psychological literacy and capacity to apply multiple research methods and analytical approaches to psychological research and a range of datasets
• To equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to design, conduct, analyse, and disseminate ethical, reproducible, and evidence-based psychological research using both qualitative and quantitative methods
• To develop students’ presentation skills necessary for communicating research aims and findings

Content

• The module integrates advanced qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to psychological research
• The course includes two extended blocks of practical work, one qualitative and one quantitative, in which students carry out empirical work to collect original data as part of a team and produce independent research reports
• Students will be introduced to open science, replicability, and reproducibility and will engage in pre-registrations as part of the blocks of practicals
• Students will be introduced to advanced research methods in a range of psychological disciplines
• The module will also cover ethical practice in psychological research and issues of diversity and inclusion in research
• The module will build on statistical techniques covered in Level 1 and introduce students to more advanced statistical concepts and inferential statistics, with a strong emphasis on the underlying principles and practical applications
• Statistical analysis will be supported by the use of specialised software which will give students an advanced understanding of the use of statistics in psychology

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of a range of research paradigms and methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods
• Understanding of how ethics, theory, research methods, and evidence interact
• Knowledge and understanding of statistics for psychology

• Formulate and operationalise research questions and hypotheses, drawing on relevant theory and research
• Identify basic study designs, differentiate exploratory and confirmatory research, and apply experimental and non-experimental research designs
• Design, conduct, and report empirical studies that address research questions and test hypotheses using appropriate methods
• Collect, clean, analyse, present, and evaluate original qualitative and quantitative data and critique research findings
• Employ evidence-based reasoning, ethical awareness, and critical reflection in interpreting research findings
• Demonstrate understanding of reproducible and open science practices

• Communicate psychological research effectively to specialist and non-specialist audience
• Digital competencies such as word processing and data management, analysis, and presentation

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

• The module will be taught in a hybrid manner, with online learning activities for statistics and all other teaching activities in person
• Students will complete two practical blocks, one qualitative and one quantitative
• Knowledge and understanding of the methods covered in the practicals will be assessed via research reports. These reports, one qualitative and one quantitative, will be based on the studies carried out during the practicals and hence assess competence in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting psychological research
• Assessment criteria for the research reports will also include students’ handling and presentation of original data, scientific report writing, and digital competence
• Formative assessment of the practicals consists of pre-registrations of the studies students carry out in small groups
• Knowledge of the theoretical and practical basis of a range of advanced research methods covered will be assessed via a portfolio. The portfolio will also assess students’ ethical awareness and ability to effectively communicate with different audiences using a range of media
• A range of statistical methods and procedures will be introduced via online learning activities, and students will be provided with worked examples and given the opportunity to practice using these techniques with support at statistics problem classes
• Summative assessment of statistics involves a set of exercises which test students' ability to apply statistical knowledge appropriately to the analysis of data and their understanding of the statistical principles underlying such analyses
• Formative assessment of statistical knowledge and application consists of online multiple-choice questions and supplementary exercises
• Students will be taught how to use specialised computer software to manipulate data and undertake statistical analyses
• Students' skill in using such software for data manipulation, analysis, and presentation will be assessed via the exercises

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will have the opportunity to complete a formative pre-registration (in small groups) for each practical block and receive feedback. There will also be online formative multiple-choice assessments and supplementary exercises for statistics.

■ 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.