PSY2023 : Research Methods in Psychology 2a
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Gareth Richards
- Lecturer: Professor Kevin Wilson, Dr Franziska Hartung, Dr Efstathia Tzemou, Dr Francesca De Petrillo
- Other Staff: Dr Hannah Roome
- Owning School: Psychology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module has multiple aims:
1. Introduce students to mediation and moderation, through the engagement with empirical practical work
2. Introduce students to different statistical analyses appropriate for testing for mediation and moderation
Support students to develop as independent researchers
Outline Of Syllabus
The principles of mediation and moderation
The development of a mediation and a moderation model.
The use of literature to develop rationales for moderation and mediation
Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression
Confidence intervals
Mediation and moderation methods of analysis
Online methods of data collection
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Non-synchronous online pre-recorded lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Problem solving-solving exercises |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 33:00 | 33:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 22:30 | 22:30 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in person |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture materials introduce the principles of mediation and moderation and relevant statistics to guide students to obtain the necessary background knowledge required to conduct their research and justify their methodological choices.
The practical sessions guide students through the research steps or designing mediation and moderation studies, culminating in communicating the findings in a scientific poster. Students are asked to apply the theoretical knowledge introduced in the lecture materials thereby developing both their knowledge of empirical psychology and their research skills.
The student-led sessions aim to encourage students to take responsibility of their research project and take initiative in trouble shooting and problem solving. By doing so students will develop skills and confidence as independent researchers.
The staff-led sessions provide the student with the opportunity to receive weekly formative feedback and reflect on their group work. They also guide students through the more challenging aspects of the practical work.
Guided independent study provides opportunity to synthesise and consolidate the skills and knowledge covered in the activities mentioned above. Furthermore, the poster will be prepared in private study time.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 100 | 7 questions (5 short, 2 long covering both stats and research methods), unseen present in person |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Formative assessment. Statistics exercises to support students consolidate their statistical knowledge |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative assessment will involve computer-based exercises to help students consolidate their knowledge in statistics and to identify areas of weakness where further work is needed.
The exam will test the knowledge and skills that students are expected to acquire/develop in the module with both the statistics and the research methods aspects of the module assessed.
If the module is failed or deferred students will resit failed or deferred assessments in the same format during the August resit period.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PSY2023's Timetable