This module introduces quantitative and qualitative research methods most used in psychological research. This will also include debates at the forefront of research such as research ethics, open science, and professional behaviour. The module will include:

- Introduction to core level-appropriate quantitative research methods and statistical analyses
- Introduction to core level-appropriate qualitative research methods
- The use of appropriate, industry-standard, software to collect, visualise, and statistically analyse data
- Critical awareness of approaches to ensure quality and rigor in qualitative analysis.
- Students will also engage with current and historical issues in quantitative psychological research, with a particular focus on replicability and open science.
- Consideration and discussion of BPS core ethical principles in research
- Students will employ this new knowledge and skills to complete an appropriate research report relevant to quantitative and qualitative research

Research project

The aim of the assessment is to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative report writing while also emphasising the complimentary, rather than separate, nature of each approach to understanding human behaviour. The utility and importance of mixed methods / interdisciplinary work is stressed by the BPS and funding boards, thus the assignment will give students a professional and authentic, as well as pedagogical, experience.

Students will complete a ‘research project’ that will ask them to appropriately engage with both quantitative and qualitative research methods around one of several topics. There will be a single hand-in for the project at the end of the module.

Process

Students will pick from one of several research topics. They will be given a brief literature review of the topic and relevant additional research for necessary independent study

Quantitative phase.

Students will be expected to:

- Justify the choice of quantitative methods for that topic
- Take part (voluntarily) in experiments associated with each topic (data collection) and complete a method section for a quantitative report based on the experiment associated with their topic
- Complete a results section for a quantitative report based on the data from the relevant experiment (with evidence of analysis)

Students will then discuss their results in the context of the literature review, and provide a rationale for why a qualitative follow up study is necessary to understanding the topic

Qualitative phase

Students will be expected to:

- Develop a specific qualitative research question for their chosen topic
- Design a study (complete a detailed Method section) for a qualitative study on that topic

Students will then complete a reflexivity section on the usefulness of both quantitative and qualitative methods to understanding their (or any) research area. Formative assessment: assessment guidance will be included within teaching sessions (e.g., practice data sets). Guidance and informal feedback for the workbook will also be provided in workshops.

Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, and in-person/online drop-in support sessions.

1. Construct a valid rationale for quantitative and qualitative research; accurately create and communicate the methodology of quantitative and qualitative research in a suitable academic format; conduct quantitative analysis and accurately communicate the results in a suitable academic format.

Research skills

2. Use industry-standard software including databases and word processing software to run quantitative analyses and to visualise data.

Digital literacy

3. Work collaboratively with peers to gain knowledge and skills relevant to quantitative and qualitative data collection and individually justify the choice of analysis techniques for answering a chosen research topic.

Critical reasoning and collaboration
Application and Problem Solving

4. Explain the uses, strengths and limitations of different quantitative and qualitative research methods, including ethical and quality considerations.

Knowledge and understanding

Access to adequately equipped computer laboratories including appropriate statistical analysis software (e.g., IBM SPSS).

Access to the Psychology Human Sciences Suite, laboratory facilities (including cognitive laboratories and observation suite) and associated technical support.

Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage publications limited. Most up-to-date guide for using SPSS and a comprehensive introduction to research methods and statistics

Sullivan, C., Forrester, M. A. (2019). Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide (2nd ed.). SAGE

Braun. V. & Clarke. (2013) Successful Qualitative Research: A practical guide for beginners. Sage

How do you go from questions about human behaviour to providing scientific explanations? In this module, you will learn the core skills that underpin psychological research. Through lectures, hands-on workshops and guided activities, you will design studies, collect data, and analyse results using both quantitative and qualitative methods. You’ll explore how statistics helps us to understand real-world outcomes, how to uncover deeper meaning from interviews and texts, and how ethical and open-science principles shape high-quality research.

You will put your knowledge to use in a research project, where you will complete a mini quantitative project and design a qualitative follow-up study. The module will not only equip you with practical quantitative and qualitative research skills, but with an understanding of what valid scientific investigation, analysis and conclusions look like and the confidence to apply this understanding to the information (and disinformation) we encounter every day.