Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Certificate (FHEQ level 4) |
| Period: |
Academic Year |
| Assessment:
| OT 20%, PR 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| While taking this unit you must take PS10088 |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide students with the basic skills required for designing, conducting and reporting experimental research in psychology. Learning Outcomes: * Be familiar with the basic principles of research design and sampling. * Can demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research methods and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis, and be aware of their limitations. * Be able to consider ethical issues relevant to research in psychology. * Be able to write and format psychological laboratory reports according to APA guidelines. * Be able to plan and conduct a psychology experiment. Skills: * Can demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research methods and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis, and be aware if their limitations. (T/F, A) * Can reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology. (T/F) * Can adopt multiple perspectives and systematically analyse the relationships between them. (T/F A) * Can detect meaningful patterns in behaviour and experience and evaluate their significance. (T/F A) * Can pose, operationalise and critically evaluate research questions. (T/F A) * Can demonstrate substantial competence in research skills through practical activities. (T/F A) * Can competently initiate, design, conduct and report an empirically-based research project under appropriate supervision, and can recognise its theoretical, practical and methodological implications and limitations. (T/F A) * Is aware of the ethical context of psychology as a discipline and can demonstrate this in relation to personal study, particularly with regard to the research project. (T/F A) * To effectively and efficiently apply principles of psychological analysis within a variety of environments. (T/F A) * Can communicate ideas and research findings both effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means. (T/F A) * Can solve problems by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions and evaluating outcomes. (T/F A) * Is sensitive to and can react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal factors in groups and teams. (T/F) * Can undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (T/F A) * Is able to take charge of their own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning. (T/F). Content: The unit will provide an overview of research methods, an outline of statistical concepts, and an introduction to report writing. Specific content includes: * Is psychological research scientific?, and contrasting approaches to knowledge; * Theory, hypotheses, design, samples, variables and analysis; * Correlational designs, experimental designs and quasi-experimental designs; * Report structure and referencing; * Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing and statistical significance; * Information concerning BPS ethical guidelines; * Participation in Practicals 1, 2 3 and 4; * Participation in group research and preparation of poster presentation. |
| Programme availability: |
PS10087 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Psychology
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