module specification

PY7164 Advanced Research Design and Analysis for Psychology is an autumn semester module that introduces a range of advanced quantitative and qualitative methods employed in psychological research. The module is designed for inclusion in postgraduate psychology courses which have the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as an entry requirement   There are two equally-weighted items of coursework one based on quantitative approaches and methodology and the other based on qualitative approaches and methodology.  The tasks given to students will be set in the context of the particular course they are taking, e.g. Forensic, Health, Counselling Psychology.

The module is designed for inclusion in postgraduate psychology courses which have the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as an entry requirement.  Students with GBC will have a solid grounding in research design and data analysis as specified in the Quality Assurance Agency, Subject Benchmark statement for Psychology (2007).  The aim of this module is to build on this knowledge by introducing students to a range of advanced methods for data collection and analysis including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The syllabus is guided by the BPS Supplementary guidance for research and research methods on Society accredited postgraduate programmes.  The module may also be taken by students from other disciplines who can demonstrate a similar grounding in research methods.

The syllabus taught will reflect that specified in the “BPS supplementary guidance for research and research methods on society accredited programmes”. An indicative syllabus is indicated below.

This module has been designed to meet the BPS Supplementary guidance for research and
research methods on Society accredited postgraduate programmes. Thus selection of topics will reflect the need to adhere to this guidance. Within this general frame work there will be equal focus on qualitative and quantitative techniques. Assumptions about the nature of knowledge; contrasting epistemological positions and implications for method and theory building will underpin discussion of all techniques and will serve as a foundation for advanced application.

Quantitative Methods
To include brief revision of some general principles of the analysis of quantitative data. How to present quantitative analysis.
Advanced topics will be drawn from: 
Multiple linear regression analysis;  logistic regression; Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA); Factor Analysis; Cluster Analysis; Discriminant Function Analysis; Path Analysis; Multi-level Modelling, Mediation, Moderation

Qualitative Methods
To include discussion of epistemological position and general principles of the analysis of qualitative data. How to write up and present qualitative analysis.
Advanced topics will be drawn from:
Content analysis; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA); Discourse Analysis; Grounded Theory; Thematic analysis

The module will be delivered via lectures and workshops.  Lectures will be used to deliver general material and material on specific methods of data collection.  Workshops will be used to carry out analyses (in a computer laboratory using suitable software where appropriate) and discuss examples from the relevant literature. 

Students will be expected to write up the outcome of analyses carried out in workshops to publication standard.  They will also be expected to engage in a self-directed manner with key texts and published articles to extend their knowledge and skills.

The activities in this module will contribute to the following key areas in personal development plans:
(a) the ability to work with quantitative information in general,  not just the specific examples included in the module
(b) the ability to extract key information from specialised data analysis software and present it in a form suitable for a non-specialist audience
(c) the ability to extend knowledge and skills to tackle new problems beyond the specific topics covered in formal teaching sessions  through self-directed, independent learning.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1) demonstrate  a deep and comprehensive understanding of the epistemological, methodological, practical, and ethical issues involved in applying different methods;
LO2) assess the suitability of quantitative data with regard to statistical assumptions required for different analyses;
LO3) perform and interpret a range of advanced univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses;
LO4) make expert  use of computer-based statistical packages, e.g. SPSS, AMOS, LISREL,
LO5) employ a range of advanced methods for collecting and interpreting qualitative data;
LO6) report upon the outcome of quantitative and qualitative studies to publication standard for academic journals and for professional reports;
LO7) extend their knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods by working independently from authoritative texts covering advanced methods and research publications employing such methods; and
LO8) design, develop and carry out research within given resources and timetable constraints.

There will be two equally-weighted items of assessment one based on quantitative approaches and methodology and the other based on qualitative approaches and methodology. In order to pass the module students must achieve at least 40% in each component of assessment and achieve an average of at least 50% for the module as a whole.

The qualitative assignment will address the following learning outcomes: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
The quantitative assignment will be a multiple choice examination and will address the following learning outcomes LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

Breakwell, G. M.,& Smith J. A.  (eds). (2013). Research methods in psychology. (4th ed) London: Sage
Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (4th edition). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Frost, N. (2011).Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology: From Core to Combined Approaches. McGraw-Hill.
Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford Press.
Howell, D.C. (2009). Statistical Methods for Psychology (7th edition). Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press.
Kirkpatrick, L.A., (2004). A Simple Guide to Advanced Statistics in SPSS. Hampshire, Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc.
Robson, C. (2002), Real World Research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers. Blackwell.
Preacher, K. J. (2015). Advances in mediation analysis: A survey and synthesis of new developments. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 825-852.
Smith, J., (2015). Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods. 3rd ed. London, Sage Publications Ltd. [Core reading]
Tabachnick, B. and Fidell, L. (2006).  Using Multivariate Statistics (5th edition). Pearson.
Warner, R. M. (2012). Applied statistics: from bivariate through multivariate techniques: from bivariate through multivariate techniques. Sage.
Willig, C. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology. Adventures in theory and method. (2nd edition). Maidenhead: Open University Press.