This module provides students with the opportunity to conduct, under supervision, independent psychological research in one of a broad range of areas.

1. Ethics Application - a full ethical application that outlines in detail: the background, rationale and design of the intended research project. This element will be examined by the department’s undergraduate ethics panel and must be passed (approved) in order to move forward to implementing the study.

2. Research Report - detailing the rationale, methodology, findings and conclusions from the programme of research, accompanied by the following: - Evidence of data-collection. - Consent forms from participants

3. Presentation at Student Conference – students will present a poster during a 10-minute session at the Level 6 Psychology Student Conference. The poster will summarise their study and include a reflection on the research process, skills and knowledge developed, identified knowledge gaps, and how these relate to their personal and professional development.

Supervisors will offer formative verbal and written feedback on one full draft version of both the final written assessment and the poster. Staff delivering the research methods clinics will offer formative feedback and advice on analysis matters. Drop-in sessions will be available as spaces to check ethics forms and conference presentations.

Students will be allocated a supervisor who will support them in developing and completing their research project. Supervision will take place in regular scheduled meetings; these could either be individual or group sessions. Learning will be supported by timetabled sessions to assist students in developing, running and writing up the project as well as support sessions focused on the library and electronic infrastructure. Research methods clinics will also be offered to offer analysis advice and support. Every student will take part in the L6 Student Conference. Students will present a summary of their work at the conference and will also have the opportunity to listen to work presented by their peers. Where possible, the conference will incorporate employer engagement, for example through participation in wider university initiatives such as GradEX. This may involve students delivering an elevator-style pitch to employers.

1. Integrate contemporary psychological literature relevant to a chosen topic area, recognising its methodological, ethical, and conceptual limitations, to formulate an evidence-based research question.

Knowledge and Understanding Application and Problem-solving

2. Independently design and conduct an empirical psychological study, selecting and critically evaluating appropriate research methods, data-analysis techniques, and state-of-the-art digital tools to ensure accuracy, rigour and enhanced professional practice.

Research Skills Digital Literacy

3. Communicate the rationale, methods, findings, and implications of the psychological research clearly and professionally to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrating the ability to interpret complex information and articulate its practical significance.

Communication

4. Critically reflect on the research process, evaluating personal decision-making and gaps in knowledge or skills, and use these insights to consider how this contributes to ongoing personal and continuing professional development.

Reflection Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

Access to appropriate software to support participant recruitment and data analysis (e.g., SONA, Qualtrics, SPSS) and associated technical support.

Access to specialist equipment such as eye-tracking and eyeblink systems, Biopac, driving simulator, virtual reality, and cold pressor equipment.

Access to counselling and observation suites, cognitive cubicles, audio–video recording equipment and associated technical support.

There are no specific texts identified as essential reading for this module. Students are referred to the extensive guidance material available on Blackboard. Students will identify, in conjunction with their supervisors, the most appropriate published sources within the psychological topic being investigated.

Recommendations:
- Forshaw, M. (2013). Your Undergraduate Psychology Project: A Student Guide. Blackwell.
- Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE.
- Sullivan, C., Forrester, M. A. (2019). Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide (2nd ed.). SAGE

The Psychology Project is an exciting opportunity for you to apply understanding of psychological theory and research methods to answer a specific research question of your choice. During the module, you will become an expert by considering the previous research relating to the topic that you are interested in, this will lead to your development of your research question and choice of methods. With support, and once ethical approval has been gained you will then carry out your project. With the support of your supervisor and some taught sessions you will develop advanced skills in literature searching, research design and planning, data collection, data analysis, research reporting and in reflecting on the research process.