Module Descriptors
BECOMING A RESEARCHER 2 (APIIT SRI LANKA)
PSYC50844
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Louise Humphreys
Email: L.Humphreys@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 76
Independent Study Hours: 224
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT - 2500 WORDS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,3
- QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT - 2000 WORDS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module will advance the quantitative and qualitative research methods introduced at Level 4.
This module will include core level-appropriate quantitative research designs and statistical analysis techniques – students will learn about designing more complex quantitative research and using more advanced statistical techniques. The use of appropriate, industry-standard, software to collect, visualise, and statistically analyse data. The rationale for qualitative research approaches and developing appropriate research questions. The module will also cover origins of qualitative psychology, psychology as a ‘science’, the development of subjectivist approaches and different epistemological standpoints, as well as core level-appropriate qualitative research methods including the collection of qualitative data and using qualitative analysis techniques to analyse this data.
This module will include core level-appropriate quantitative research designs and statistical analysis techniques – students will learn about designing more complex quantitative research and using more advanced statistical techniques. The use of appropriate, industry-standard, software to collect, visualise, and statistically analyse data. The rationale for qualitative research approaches and developing appropriate research questions. The module will also cover origins of qualitative psychology, psychology as a ‘science’, the development of subjectivist approaches and different epistemological standpoints, as well as core level-appropriate qualitative research methods including the collection of qualitative data and using qualitative analysis techniques to analyse this data.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Students will complete two research reports:
1. Qualitative research report: this will be a structured qualitative research report using data collected by students that will be analysed using a qualitative technique.
2. Quantitative research report: this will be a laboratory report based on a quantitative study using one of the methodologies covered on the module.
Formative assessment: assessment guidance will be included within teaching sessions. Guidance and informal feedback for both reports will also be provided.
1. Qualitative research report: this will be a structured qualitative research report using data collected by students that will be analysed using a qualitative technique.
2. Quantitative research report: this will be a laboratory report based on a quantitative study using one of the methodologies covered on the module.
Formative assessment: assessment guidance will be included within teaching sessions. Guidance and informal feedback for both reports will also be provided.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, and in-person/online drop-in support sessions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Critically review literature to build a rationale for both quantitative and qualitative research questions and identify a relevant method to explore each question.
Research Skills
2. Conduct an appropriate statistical test to analyse quantitative data collected with peers using industry-standard software, provide evidence that the test has been conducted appropriately, and communicate the results in an academic format.
Digital Literacy Communication
3. Collaborate with peers to collect qualitative data and independently analyse, critically evaluate and communicate the findings in a qualitative research report.
Research Skills Critical Reasoning and Collaboration
Research Skills
2. Conduct an appropriate statistical test to analyse quantitative data collected with peers using industry-standard software, provide evidence that the test has been conducted appropriately, and communicate the results in an academic format.
Digital Literacy Communication
3. Collaborate with peers to collect qualitative data and independently analyse, critically evaluate and communicate the findings in a qualitative research report.
Research Skills Critical Reasoning and Collaboration
RESOURCES
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.
Access to the Psychology Human Sciences Suite, laboratory facilities (including cognitive laboratories and observation suite) and associated technical support.
TEXTS
Clark-Carter, D. (2024). Quantitative psychological research: The complete student’s companion. (5th ed.) Routledge.
Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE. Smith, J. A. (2024). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage Publications. (4th ed.)
Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE. Smith, J. A. (2024). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage Publications. (4th ed.)
WEB DESCRIPTOR
How do psychologists explore, analyse and understand patterns of behaviour? In this module you will continue to advance your knowledge of quantitative research methods in psychology and apply these to topics within the area of psychology. This module will also introduce you to the theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research approaches and provide you with experience of conducting and analysing qualitative research.