PSY-30122 - Research Methods in Social and Developmental Psychology for Study Abroad Students

Coordinator: Lucy A James Room: DH0.33 Tel: +44 1782 7 34263

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 6

Credits: 15

Study Hours: 150

School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Barred Combinations

Description for 2020/21

This module aims to advance understanding of qualitative and survey research methods used in Psychology and builds on the content of the first year research methods modules. The module is split into two main components with weekly lectures and lab classes. The qualitative research methods component includes a range of data collection methods (e.g. interview and written accounts) and different approaches to data analysis (such as thematic analysis, IPA, and discourse analysis). The quantitative research methods component includes questionnaire development (e.g. item generation) as well as hands on data collection and item analysis using statistical software. Finally students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of social and developmental psychology with an individual essay.
This module enables students to cover all curriculum content that could otherwise be missed for BPS accreditation for students who study abroad for a semester.

Aims

This module aims to advance student understanding of survey and qualitative research methods used in social and developmental psychology. It builds on the content of first year methods modules (PSY-10031 and PSY-10036) and the first year social and developmental psychology module (PSY-10033).

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/psy-30122/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate theory and research in developmental and social psychology: 1
Independently locate, study, and synthesise knowledge from different academic sources within the field of developmental and social psychology: 1
Design appropriate data collection and analysis strategies to test hypotheses and answer research questions: 2,3
Conduct, analyse and evaluate both qualitative and quantitative research projects and write up lab reports using APA formatting: 3
To appreciate the ways in which knowledge of social and developmental psychology is advanced through research: 1

Study hours

11 hours of lectures
22 hours of lab sessions
45 hours preparation of group lab report
45 hours preparation of individual lab report
27 hours preparation of essay

School Rules

This module is only available to Psychology students returning from semester abroad.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 20%
1500-word social developmental essay
This essay requires students to write a 1500 word essay critically evaluating psychological theory and research evidence on a topic from social and developmental psychology. Students will be able to select one essay question drawing on the content of PSY-20012 and will be required to demonstrate knowledge of both social and developmental psychology.

2: Individual Report weighted 40%
Individual Quantitative Report
Students will produce an individual 2000 word lab report based on work they have done in practical classes. This includes statistical data analysis undertaken using statistical software and will be written in the style of a psychological research paper.

3: Individual Report weighted 40%
Individual Qualitative Report
Students will complete a 2,000 word individual qualitative report based on the practical qualitative methods and theoretical issues covered within the module. Students work in research teams influenced by a research subject selected at the beginning of the module. The individual qualitative report will include specific elements of an empirical paper, such as introduction, research findings (analysis of interview data), for example. In addition to completing the individual qualitative lab report, students will be required to complete in-class activities structured around designing a research proposal and a lay summary to support peer learning for the individual lab report assessment.

PSY-30122 - Module Specification School of Psychology Faculty of Natural Sciences

PSY-30122 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences