This module supports students in conducting and disseminating rigorous, coherent and ethically sound research in the students’ topic area of choice within the area of counselling. Following ethical approval, students will independently manage and execute their dissertation research, which was proposed in the Research Proposal module with support from an academic supervisor. More specifically, this will involve implementing effective strategies for qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, applying suitable analysis techniques on the data, interpreting the outcomes of analysis, critically evaluating the findings in the context of theory, existing literature, and practice. Students are expected to meet regularly with their allocated supervisor. These activities will lead to the production of a journal article, structured according to guidelines of a self-selected journal. Students will additionally develop a range of interpersonal skills and competencies including presenting their research, project management, leadership, relationship building and maintaining.
The presentation and article both disseminate learning from the research study to inform peers and others in the counselling profession or wider audiences on a current and relevant topic in counselling.

Contact Hours:
30 hrs Lecture and small supervision groups

Independent study hours: 370 hours for reading, active research and analysis, assessment preparation and personal reflection/ journal writing.

Self-directed learning is a major part of the MSc year. There will be opportunities for giving and obtaining peer feedback, as well as tutor-led discussion supervision groups and individual supervision. Attendance will be flexible in accordance with student need and tutor availability.
Keeping a research journal will be advisable; this can include creative elements. This will be essential as a tool for critical reflexivity around the researcher role.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of research methodology and critical awareness of research process to critically evaluate and apply an appropriate research method to your counselling research project. Knowledge and understanding, analysis, Communication, learning, reflection.
2. Design, conduct and analyse the results of an ethically approved and methodologically sound study to address a pertinent original research question in counselling. Application, Knowledge and Understanding, analysis, Communication, learning, reflection, problem solving.
3. Professionally communicate research findings and conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Reflection, communication.

Individual and small group supervision require extra tutors to facilitate
conference rooms for presentations
Counselling research textbooks and journals
Access to Learning Resource Centre and library facilities

BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists) (2019) Ethical Guidelines for Research in the Counselling Professions. Lutterworth: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y.DS. (2017) The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage publications inc.
Etherington, K. (2004). Becoming a reflexive researcher: Using ourselves in research. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Gabriel, L. and Casemore, R. (2009) Relational Ethics in Practice. Narratives from Counselling and Psychotherapy. Routledge.
McLeod, J. (2011) Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy 2nd ed. Publisher: London: SAGE
Plus, texts relevant to the research topic and methodology

1. Postgraduate diploma in counselling
2. Completion of the proposal module PSYC70831

On this Counselling research project module, you will carry out an active research project relevant to the area of counselling. Your project will be in a topic chosen by you, to allow you to follow your own area of special interest within the counselling field (agreed with supervisor). You will have the opportunity to interview people or conduct other modes of inquiry and write up your findings with the possibility of going on to present the research and findings at conferences or publish in academic journals.

This assessment asks students to:
Demonstrate your ability to convert a research proposal into an ethically and methodologically sound study. NB: any literature review from the proposal module carries forward to this piece of work. You will carry out the research study, analysing your findings and reflecting on the experience of the researcher role (LO 1, 2 and 3)