Research Methods C

Description

This module continues to work with and extends the research techniques and skills introduced in RMA and RMB.

Lectures, workshops and online coursework add together to build up your skills towards becoming an independent and creative psychological researcher.

Research Methods (supported through lectures and RM Workshops)

  • Topics to be covered include:
  • Introduction to level 2 research methods and Revision of RM analyses
  • Extending experimental design, constructing rationales, reading papers critically, and writing reports
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA):
    One-way ANOVA (between and within participants) 
    Factorial ANOVA (between and within participants, mixed)
    Main effects, simple effects, interactions and post-hoc testing           
    Introduction to MANOVA
  • Non-parametric tests equivalents of ANOVA
  • Choosing your method: alternatives to quantitative approaches
  • Approaches to knowledge/science
  • Qualitative Research. The exact techniques covered will depend upon staff expertise available, but examples include:
    Thematic analysis
    Framework analysis
    Grounded theory
    Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
    Discourse analysis
    Content analysis

Mini projects (supported through lectures and MP Workshops)

  • Mini-project 1: Quasi-experimental research: ANOVA
  • Mini-project 2: Introduction to qualitative methods: thematic analysis

Research Participation

10 hours of participation in current research

 

Delivery

Lectures:

  • 10 two-hour lectures to support mini-project and research methods

Workshops:

  • 9 one-hour mini project workshops
  • 9 one-hour research methods workshops

Office Hours:

  • 10 one-hour drop-in sessions

Assessment

  • Practical report (2000 words) (30%)
  • Group oral presentation (20 minutes; part peer-assessed) (20%)
  • Research methods class test (50%)

 

To be eligible to pass this module, students must pass the statistics exam and fulfil the research participation requirements.

Note that reassessment is via an exam which covers the whole of the module including components which may have been passed individually. Special reassessment arrangements exist for those with extenuating circumstances.

Please note that the format of papers in the supplementary examinations may differ from the equivalent main examination paper or class test. Re-sit and deferral students should check the details of the assessment format of supplementary examinations with the Module Leader.

As part of the module, students are also required to participate in research (or, at their discretion, complete an alternative activity instead).

Key skills

  • Oral communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Written communication
  • Team work
  • Gathering information
  • Problem solving
  • Analysing data
  • Using initiative
  • Report writing
  • Flexibility
  • Organisation and planning
  • Computing and IT