MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS Module title Empirical Psychology Module code SS511 Credit value 20 Level Level 4 Level 5 X Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Mark the box to the right of the Level 0 (for modules at foundation level) appropriate level with an ‘X’ Entry criteria for registration on this module Pre-requisites Normally level 4 Introduction to Research Methods (SS414) or equivalent Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent Co-requisite modules Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent Module delivery Mode of delivery Taught X Distance Placement Online Other
Pattern of delivery Weekly X Block Other
When module is delivered Semester 1 Semester 2 Throughout year X Other Brief description of module Students learn about research methods in psychology including advanced content and/ or aims experimental design, multivariate analyses, and qualitative research Overview (max 80 words) techniques. They gain experience in small-scale research projects and develop skills in literature reviews, research design, data collection, data analysis and report writing. The module meets the British Psychological Society accreditation requirements for coverage and assessment of empirical research methods in psychology. Module team/ author/ Julie Morgan (coordinator) coordinator(s) School SASS Site/ campus where Falmer delivered Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course Course Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional) Applied Psychology and Sociology Compulsory Applied Psychology and Criminology Compulsory
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT Aims The aims of the module are:
To develop knowledge and understanding of psychological research methods and design. To gain experience in the application of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and data analysis for psychological research.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012 To develop skill in the interpretation of psychological research findings and the structuring of research reports. To gain experience in the planning of small scale research projects.
Learning outcomes On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
1. Design and/or utilize an appropriate method for a quantitative research project.
2. Demonstrate skill in analyzing quantitative data and interpreting the findings.
3. Demonstrate skill in writing up a quantitative research report.
4. Critically reflect on methodological limitations of a small-scale quantitative research project.
5. Engage with research literature to formulate a research question for a qualitative research project.
6. Demonstrate skill in analyzing qualitative data and interpreting the findings.
7. Demonstrate skill in writing up a qualitative research project.
8. Critically reflect on the application of qualitative methods.
Content Indicative guide of topics to be covered:
Section one Designing quantitative research projects (literature review & hypothesis formation, advanced experimental design, methodological and ethical issues) Data collection methods (standardized measures, experimental computer software, designing questionnaires, testing for reliability and validity) Data analysis methods (ANOVA, multiple regression, factor analysis, categorical data analysis) Using SPSS to analyse and interpret analyses Writing up quantitative research
Section two Formulating qualitative research projects (research questions and the literature, ethics, issues of reliability and validity, the reflexive researcher) Data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, texts and images) Data analysis methods (Thematic analysis, IPA, Discourse Analysis) Writing up qualitative research
Learning support Learning resources: A good range of library resources, specialist websites and online learning resources support student learning. Up-to-date reading lists, suggested websites, journals and online learning resources will be provided on commencement of the module, using Studentcentral.
Indicative Reading
Latest editions of the following texts:
Brace, N, Kemp, R. & Snelgar, R. SPSS for psychologists. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Coolican, H. Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology. New York: Routledge.
Field, A. Discovering Statistics Using SPSS. London: Sage.
Howitt, D. & Cramer, D. Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology. Harlow: Pearson.
Langdrige, D. & Hagger-Johnson, G Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology. Harlow: Pearson.
Willig, C. Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology. London: Sage.
Willig, C. & Stainton-Rogers, W. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology. London: Sage.
Key Websites:
Companion websites for Field, A. Discovering Statistics Using SPSS http://www.sagepub.com/field4e/study/default.htm. See also: http://www.statisticshell.com/html/dsus.html
Other Resources:
SPSS tutorials. Students have access to a number of Camtasia tutorials on Student Central with demonstrations of how to carry out and interpret the various statistical tests covered in the module.
Teaching and learning activities Details of teaching and 200 hours study time delivered through a minimum of 52 hours learning activities lecture/large group workshop/directed timetabled workshop activities and 148 hours of directed individual study.
Additional tutorial support will be available through a drop-in programme and assessment support from the module team.
Allocation of study hours Study hours (indicative)
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012 Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours SCHEDULED This is an indication of the number of 52 hours students can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning.
GUIDED INDEPENDENT All students are expected to undertake 148 STUDY guided independent study which includes wider reading/ practice, follow- up work, the completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
PLACEMENT The placement is a specific type of 0 learning away from the University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS 200
Assessment tasks Details of assessment for this module 2000 word quantitative research report; (LO 1, 2, 3, 4) (50%) 2000 word qualitative research report (LO 5, 6, 7, 8) (50%)
Types of assessment task1 % weighting Indicative list of summative assessment (or indicate if component is pass/fail) tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression. WRITTEN Written exam 0%
COURSEWORK Written assignment/ essay, report, 100% dissertation, portfolio, project output, set exercise
PRACTICAL Oral assessment and presentation, practical 0% skills assessment, set exercise
EXAMINATION INFORMATION Area examination board SASS Undergraduate
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections External examiners
Name Position and institution Date appointed Date tenure ends Dr Mark Coulson Reader, Middlesex University Oct 2014 Sep 2018
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task. QUALITY ASSURANCE Date of first 2011 approval Only complete where this is not the first version Date of last 06/2013 revision Only complete where this is not the first version Date of approval August 2014 for this version Version number 3 Modules replaced Specify codes of modules for which this is a replacement Available as free-standing module? Yes No X
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012