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

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 06 October 2026

PSY-30122 - Research Methods in Social and Developmental Psychology for Study Abroad Students
Coordinator: Annabel Roberts Room: DH0.65
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module aims to advance your understanding of qualitative research methods used in Psychology and builds on the content of the first year research methods modules. The module is delivered in 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 other half of the module requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of social and developmental psychology.
This module enables you to cover all curriculum content that could otherwise be missed for BPS accreditation if you opted to study abroad for a semester.

Aims
This module aims to advance students' understanding of qualitative research methods used in social and developmental psychology. It builds on the content of the first-year methods module (PSY-10056) and the first-year social and developmental psychology module (PSY-10052).

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 answer research questions: 2
Conduct, analyse and evaluate qualitative research and write up a qualitative lab report using APA formatting: 2
To appreciate the ways in which knowledge of social and developmental psychology is advanced through research: 1,2

Study hours

11 hours of lectures
22 hours of lab sessions
45 hours preparation of blog post assignment
45 hours preparation of individual report
27 hours independent study time

School Rules

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

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 50%
Blog Post
Students will be asked to create a 1000-word blog post critiquing and discussing a provided paper, presenting it to a psychologically literate audience (those who have an understanding and some background knowledge of psychology but may not necessarily be practitioners or researchers in the field). Several papers will be made available by the module team for the topics covered prior to the assignment release. Students can choose which they use. The background is that the audience has already read the paper; thus, describing or summarising it is not required. Instead, students should focus on commentary, providing fresh insights and a deeper understanding of the paper rather than restating its contents. The post should have a suitable title that reflects the topic and the readership. The post will be in two sections: - In the first section, students will use three questions asked by a hypothetical “reader” to frame a discussion of the paper. The module team will provide these questions. - These will involve critical evaluation and more in-depth thought about the paper. Evidence will need to be cited to support claims. Writing must be appropriate to the audience. - These are not intended to be short-answer questions, but rather “jumping-off” points to structure the writing. - In the second section, students will suggest “further reading” for the reader, in the form of another relevant paper, giving a full reference. Students will need to give a justification for why they have chosen this paper. This is a reflective choice, so evidence is not required to support it. - This must not be research already cited in the supplied paper. - It will be emphasised to students that any writing that the title, in-text citations, and the full reference for their chosen paper in the second section do not contribute to the word count.

2: Report weighted 50%
Individual Qualitative Report
Students will complete a 2,200-word individual qualitative lab report based on the qualitative theory and practical qualitative methods approaches covered within the module. Students will work on a research subject selected at the beginning of the module. The individual qualitative report will include most elements of an empirical paper – method, results, conclusion.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 06 October 2026