PSY2024 : Research Methods in Psychology 2b
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Efstathia Tzemou
- Lecturer: Professor Kevin Wilson
- 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 student to basic principles of psychometrics
2. Introduce students to the basic steps of scale/test development through the engagement with empirical practical work
3. Introduce student to statistical analysis used in psychometrics
4. Introduce students to interpretative qualitative research, through the engagement with empirical practical work
5. Introduce students to a qualitative method of interpretative analysis
6. Support students to become independent researchers
Outline Of Syllabus
The student will be introduced to:
The basic principles of psychometrics
The development of a first draft of a psychometric scale
Basic testing of validity and reliability
They will also be introduced to a method of interpretative qualitative analysis and the process of developing and justifying an appropriate research question with the use of literature, appropriate study design, methods of data collection and analysis. The principles of interpretative qualitative research, qualitative data collection and relevant methods of data analysis, will be covered in lectures. The students will then apply this knowledge to the development of a interpretative qualitative study, data collection and analysis, in a series of practical lab sessions. Once the study is complete the students will present their work in a full APA written report.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 16:00 | 16:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Non-synchronous online pre-recorded lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 32:00 | 32:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 12:30 | 12:30 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present in person |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The overall rationale is to teach empirical psychology through practical experience. The various sessions are aimed at providing opportunities for students to develop and practice the necessary skills and knowledge outcomes.
The lecture materials introduce the basic principles of psychometrics and the principles of interpretative qualitative research and relevant data collection and data analysis methods and 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 of designing a first draft of a new scale and of designing, collecting appropriated data for and analysing the data of a qualitative study, culminating in communicating the findings in an APA full report. 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 students 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 the opportunity to synthesise and consolidate the skills and knowledge covered in the activities mentioned above. Furthermore, the APA full report will be prepared in private study time.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 100 | Full APA lab report (1500 words) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Ethics review (peer assessed) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The formative assessment will give students the opportunity to engage with the BPS ethical guidelines for research and apply them critically. This knowledge will feed into their study design and the subsequent summative assessment.
The APA full report aims to assess module learning outcomes through assessing the students’ ability to use one of the most common method of disseminating research in empirical psychology. To demonstrate critical understanding of the research method taught and demonstrate the ability to evaluate the literature,
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/
- PSY2024's Timetable