PY7187 - Further Research Methods (2019/20)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2019/20 | ||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||
| Module title | Further Research Methods | ||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 10 | ||||||||
| School | Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 100 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2019/20(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
The module is designed to extend students’ understanding and competence in the application of research methods to a level appropriate for planning and carrying out a substantial piece of empirical research at Master’s level.
Prior learning requirements
PY7185 Research Methods and Biological Psychology
Module aims
The module aims to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills students have gained by taking PY7185 to cover more complex research designs and data structures.
Syllabus
Multiple linear regression. Mediation and moderation analysis. Factor analysis. Path analysis. Current developments in the analysis of quantitative data.
Advanced qualitative analysis using alternative epistemological approaches to those covered in PY7185 (e.g., discourse analysis, IPA, grounded theory); application of qualitative methodologies in psychological research; means of ensuring quality in qualitative research.
Learning and teaching
There will be a series of formal teaching sessions. The sessions will consist of a combination of lecture followed by practical workshop, with the balance in any one week being determined by the nature of the topics being covered.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to
1. make expert use of computer-based statistical packages for performing advance methods of data analysis, e.g. SPSS, AMOS, LISREL,
2. employ a range of advanced methods for collecting and interpreting qualitative data;
3. extend their knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods by working independently from advanced texts covering research methods and research publications employing such methods;
4. integrate their knowledge and understanding of research methods with their knowledge and understanding in core areas of psychology, e.g. cognitive, developmental, social psychology to develop a research plan for conducting a substantial piece of empirical work within given resources and time constraints.
Assessment strategy
The module will be assessed by a portfolio of exercises presented in the workshops, where students will complete the tasks set in their own time.
Bibliography
American Psychological Association (2010). Concise Rules of APA Style. (6ed|) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Breakwell, G. M., Hammond, S., Fife-Schaw, C. and Smith J. A. (eds). (2006). Research methods in psychology. (3rd ed) London: Sage
Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West S. G. and Aiken, L. S. (2002) Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. (3rd ed.) Routledge Academic
Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (4th ed). London: Sage.
Howell, D.C. (2013). Statistical Methods for Psychology (8th ed). Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press.
Smith, J. A. (2006). Qualitative Psychology. A Practical Guide to Research Methods. London: Sage.
Tabachnick, B. and Fidell, L. (2012). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th edition). Pearson.
Willig, C.& Stainton-Rogers, W. (eds) (2013). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology. Sage.