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PS12002: Psychology research methods and design 1

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWRI 60%, CWVG 30%, PRPR 10%
Assessment Detail:
  • Quantitative Report 1 (CWRI 15%)
  • Quantitative Report 2 (CWRI 30%)
  • Qualitative Report (CWRI 15%)
  • Qualitative Study Poster (CWVG 30%)
  • Research Participation Scheme (PRPR 10%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research methods and measurement techniques and be aware of their limitations.
  • Conduct, interpret and report statistical tests for comparing different conditions, and for testing relationships between variables.
  • Conduct qualitative research and interpret and report findings using basic qualitative approaches.
  • Reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology.
  • Detect meaningful patterns in behaviour and experience and evaluate their significance.
  • Pose, operationalise and critically evaluate research questions.
  • Demonstrate substantial competence in research skills through practical activities.
  • Competently initiate, design, conduct and report a research project under appropriate supervision, and can recognise its theoretical, practical and methodological implications and limitations.



Synopsis: You'll develop the basic skills required for designing, conducting, analysing and reporting quantitative and qualitative research.

Content: The unit will provide an overview of research methods in psychology and introduce students to statistical and qualitative analysis approaches. Students will be introduced to different data collection and analysis techniques in psychology. They will be introduced to ethical issues in conducting research in psychology. Students will apply approaches taught to them during lectures to independently analyse data, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and reflect on their methodological choices. Students will also work in groups to design, conduct and report the results of empirically based research projects, under the guidance of the lecturers. They will learn how to appropriately report findings from different analytic approaches during research report assessments.

Course availability:

PS12002 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses 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.