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 clinical psychology. Following ethical approval, students will independently manage and execute their dissertation research, which was proposed in the Psychological Research Design and Planning module with support from an academic supervisor. More specifically, this will involve implementing effective strategies for quantitative and/or qualitative 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 and a lay summary in the form of a blogpost. Students will additionally develop a range of interpersonal skills and competencies including writing for different audiences, project management, leadership, relationship building and maintaining.

1. Ethical Approval (0%, 2000 words)
You will be required to submit an ethical approval application to the psychology ethics committee and obtain confirmation of approval prior to data collection. The word count is an approximation and will depend on the research proposed (Learning Outcome 1).

2. Journal Article (80%, word count determined by selected journal)
Students will be required to produce a journal article to demonstrate that they have conducted and interpreted psychological research to advance scholarship in an area of Clinical Psychology. It will be presented in the form of an academic manuscript written in the format specified by a journal (including journal guidelines on word limit), which students identify in consultation with their supervisor. Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods may be employed. Appendices containing information not usually included in published articles, but which provide evidence for the decisions made in the manuscript and the notes for contributors of the chosen journal should be included alongside confirmation of ethical approval (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3).

3. Lay Summary of Research – Blogpost (20%, 500 words)
Students will be required to produce a summary of their research which is tailored to a non-specialist (lay) audience in the form of a Blogpost. A written summary of the research should be accompanied by an image which reflects their research (Learning Outcome 3).

Students will receive written formative feedback on ethics documentation prior to submission to the psychology ethics committee for approval. Students will also have regular meetings with their dissertation supervisors who will provide ongoing feedback and guidance during the completion of the research. Supervisors will also provide written formative feedback on one full draft of the journal article and lay summary of research.

1. Employ and reflect upon qualities and transferable skills in decision making in order to design and conduct methodologically and ethically sound research in clinical psychology.
Application, Problem Solving, Reflection.

2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the techniques of research and enquiry and employ these in the analysis of quantitative or qualitative research data.
Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Problem Solving.

3. Professionally communicate results and conclusions tailored to specialist and non-specialist audiences in an academic report and lay summary.
Communication.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. Access to statistical software capable of analysing various research designs and analytic approaches (e.g., SPSS, NVivo). Web-based databases to review current relevant literature in electronic database format. Internet access. Library. Resource rooms. Supervision space.

British Psychological Society (2021, Dec 21). Code of Ethics and Conduct. https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct

British Psychological Society (2020). Guidelines for Internet Mediated Research.
http://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/Ethics%20Guidelines%20for%20Internet-mediated%20Research.pdf

Breakwell, G. M., Wright, D., & Barnett, J. (Eds.). (2020). Research methods in psychology (5th Ed.) Sage Publications.

Braun, V., & Clarke, B. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. Sage Publications.

Clark-Carter, D. (2018). Quantitative psychological research: The complete student's companion (4th Ed.). Psychology Press.

Students must be registered on the MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology.

This module supports students in conducting and disseminating rigorous and ethically-sound MSc-level research in the students’ topic area of choice within the field of clinical psychology. Following ethical approval, students will independently manage, execute and disseminate their dissertation research with support from an academic supervisor.

Taught sessions, in the form of interactive workshops, will be delivered during which topics related to conducting and disseminating research in clinical psychology will be explained, discussed and explored. Students will also be supported in conducting and disseminating a rigorous, coherent and ethically sound research proposal through specific assessment related sessions, including staff-supported writing workshops. In addition, students will be allocated academic supervisor who will provide individually tailored advice and support through project supervision meetings and academic mentoring.