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PSY-40129 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 11 December 2025

PSY-40129 - Qualitative Research Methods
Coordinator: David Walker Tel: +44 1782 7 34265
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

How do we experience the world? Why do we behave the way we do? Qualitative research has a focus on developing explanations of the human world, for example how we feel or behave in certain situations. Understanding human experience and behaviour is at the core of psychology and helps us interpret and explain both individual and social phenomena. In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to and develop students’ understanding of qualitative research design covering research philosophy, ethical foundations, qualitative research questions and data collection strategies. The module will also prepare students for analysing data using qualitative research methods.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/psy-40129/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the main philosophical and conceptual approaches underpinning qualitative research and knowledge: 1,2
design a qualitative project with an appropriate data collection strategy accounting for ethical considerations for the developed research question: 1,2
conduct a qualitative analysis and report the results in an academic report: 2
describe and discuss ethical issues related to various qualitative designs and data collection strategies: 1,2
demonstrate critical evaluation of methods, relevant literature and the role of the researcher in qualitative methods.: 2

Study hours

ACTIVE LEARNING HOURS
Structured engagement with online content
12 x 2 hours = 24 hours
INDEPENDENT STUDY HOURS
Independent study time and guided reading = 12 x 2 hours = 24
Research proposal writing = 31 hours
Qualitative report writing = 71 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Research Proposal weighted 30%
Qualitative research proposal
Students will submit a 500-word research proposal outlining their philosophical foundation, ethical considerations surrounding the project, research question and data collection strategy. Research proposal must concern data in the public sphere.

2: Laboratory Report weighted 70%
Qualitative report
Students will build upon their research proposal and source the data from their proposal and conduct their analysis and write it up into a research report following APA requirements. These data will be taken from an extant corpus - students will not conduct primary data collection. The 1,500-word report must also include a short reflection section on the ethical considerations of the project and a reflexivity statement.

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: 11 December 2025