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PS40180: Advanced research methods

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Rpt 1 (CW 50%)
  • Rpt 2 (CW 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PS20124
Description: Aims:
To equip students with a critical appreciation of appropriate use of qualitative methods in psychological research
To equip students with the skills to conduct, analyse and interpret qualitative research
To equip students with the skills to use and interpret advanced multivariate statistics
To provide an appreciation of the applications of advanced quantitative analysis in applied psychology.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit students will be able to:
* Learn and understand how and why selected advanced multivariate analyses are computed.
* Practice conducting, interpreting and reporting analyses.
* Appreciate the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods and the rationale for when to use qualitative methods with particular relation to their discipline field
* Understand the epistemological assumptions that underpin the use of qualitative methodology in psychological research
* Be aware of ethical issues in qualitative and quantitative research

Skills:
Can demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research paradigms, research methods and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis, and be aware of their limitations. (T/F A)
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, operationalize and critically evaluate research questions. (T/F A)
Can demonstrate substantial competence in research skills through practical activities. (T/F A)
Can demonstrate competence in a range of qualitative research methods (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)
Is computer literate and is confident in using software-based methods of data analysis. (T/F A)
Can solve problems by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions and evaluating outcomes. (T/F A)
Can evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new research questions. (T/F A)
Can continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level. (T/F A)
Can comprehend and use numerical, statistical and other forms of data, particularly in the context of presenting and analysing complex data sets. (T/F A)

Content:
The unit will comprise of lectures and classes exploring critical issues in the rationale and conduct of qualitative research, including ethical and cultural issues
There will be workshops on selected qualitative approaches
There will be workshops on advanced quantitative methods
There will be critical classwork on psychological research questions
Workshops on the use of software-based methods of data analysis.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PS40180 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.