Module Descriptors
BECOMING A RESEARCHER 2
PSYC70877
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 7
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Louise Humphreys
Email: L.Humphreys@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 70
Independent Study Hours: 230
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT - 2500 WORDS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2
- QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT - 3000 WORDS weighted at 50% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,3
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module will advance the quantitative and qualitative research methods introduced in Becoming a Researcher in Psychology.
This module will include 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; Qualitative research methods including the collection of qualitative data and practicing using qualitative analysis techniques to analyse this data; The rationale for qualitative research approaches and developing appropriate research questions; The origins of qualitative psychology, psychology as a ‘science’, the development of subjectivist approaches and different epistemological standpoints.
This module will include 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; Qualitative research methods including the collection of qualitative data and practicing using qualitative analysis techniques to analyse this data; The rationale for qualitative research approaches and developing appropriate research questions; The origins of qualitative psychology, psychology as a ‘science’, the development of subjectivist approaches and different epistemological standpoints.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Students will complete two research reports:
1. Quantitative research report: this will be a laboratory report based on a quantitative study using one of the methodologies covered on the module
2. Qualitative research report: this will be a structured qualitative research report using data collected by students that will be analysed using a qualitative technique.
Formative assessment: assessment guidance will be included within teaching sessions. Guidance and informal feedback for both reports will also be provided in workshops.
1. Quantitative research report: this will be a laboratory report based on a quantitative study using one of the methodologies covered on the module
2. Qualitative research report: this will be a structured qualitative research report using data collected by students that will be analysed using a qualitative technique.
Formative assessment: assessment guidance will be included within teaching sessions. Guidance and informal feedback for both reports will also be provided in workshops.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, and in-person/online drop-in support sessions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Provide a systematic and detailed critical review of appropriate literature to build an original rationale and select relevant methodology for both quantitative and qualitative research questions.
Research Skills
2. Apply advanced statistical analyses to 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 and communicate findings in a research report, demonstrating methodological rigour, ethical awareness and critical reasoning.
Research Skills Critical Reasoning and Collaboration
Research Skills
2. Apply advanced statistical analyses to 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 and communicate findings in a research report, demonstrating methodological rigour, ethical awareness and critical reasoning.
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 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.