University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Psychological Science > Research Methods in Psychology (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PSYC005T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Casimir Ludwig
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Psychological Science |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures that require prior reading and preparation. Practical work (individual or in small groups) such as programming, statistical analysis and literature search. Optional Lab visits provide the opportunity for on-hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. An apprenticeship in a lab that provides the opportunity for hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. School-wide seminar programme with internationally leading, external speakers. Writing unit-related essays, literature review, and a research dissertation. Optional STEM ambassador training and public communication activities. Career talks and tutoring. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Unit-related course work: essays, oral presentations, practical assignments (e.g. programming). Empirical research dissertation. Literature review. Seminar diary. Apprenticeship report. Unit-related examinations. Preparation of essays and coursework will allow students to demonstrate critical evaluation of current research, advanced scholarship in the discipline, a capacity to critique theories and research methods, and where necessary propose new hypotheses: that is, demonstrate M Level ability as described in the QAA framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2008). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Lectures that require prior reading and preparation. Practical work (individual or in small groups) such as programming, statistical analysis and literature search. Optional Lab visits provide the opportunity for on-hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. An apprenticeship in a lab that provides the opportunity for hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. School-wide seminar programme with internationally leading, external speakers. Writing unit-related essays, literature review, and a research dissertation. Optional STEM ambassador training and public communication activities. Career talks and tutoring. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Unit-related course work: essays, oral presentations, practical assignments (e.g. programming). Empirical research dissertation. Literature review. Seminar diary. Apprenticeship report. Unit-related examinations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Lectures that require prior reading and preparation. Practical work (individual or in small groups) such as programming, statistical analysis and literature search. Optional Lab visits provide the opportunity for on-hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. An apprenticeship in a lab that provides the opportunity for hands-on practical experience with state of the art research techniques. School-wide seminar programme with internationally leading, external speakers. Writing unit-related essays, literature review, and a research dissertation. Optional STEM ambassador training and public communication activities. Career talks and tutoring. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Unit-related course work: essays, oral presentations, practical assignments (e.g. programming). Empirical research dissertation. Literature review. Seminar diary. Apprenticeship report. Unit-related examinations. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students must demonstrate an acceptable level of knowledge concerning quantitative and qualitative research methods, and they must also demonstrate competence in the use of statistical methods. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
In addition to the above, students need to demonstrate an understanding of more complex analytical techniques. They also demonstrate acceptable levels of knowledge and understanding of practical and theoretical issues relating to the design and execution of a piece of research in psychology. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
In addition to the above, students will be required to design and carry out novel research under the supervision of an active researcher, plus its subsequent presentation in written form. It is anticipated that some of this work will be at a level that is suitable for publication in scientific literature. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
For further details, please contact Professor Chris Kent, School of Psychological Sciences, Email: Chris.Kent@bristol.ac.uk http://www.bristol.ac.uk/expsych/courses/postgraduate/. Please contact the Postgraduate Administrator: postgrad-psychology@bristol.ac.uk.
The programme is closed to external applicants from 17/18, and will continue for ESRC funded students on the SWDTC PhD
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (GSoE) | EDUCM0004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Understanding Data: Experimental Design and Statistics for Life Scientists | BIOLM0006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Apprenticeship in Psychological Research | PSYCM0043 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Research Planning | PSYCM0080 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Dissertation (Psychology) | PSYCM0084 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Select 40cp from the following: | ||||
Optional undergraduate units subject to availability and timetabling. | ||||
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SoE) | EDUCM0005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Evolutionary Psychology | PSYCM0046 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Advanced Nutrition and Behaviour | PSYCM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Advanced Issues in Social Psychology | PSYCM0054 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Drug Use and Addiction | PSYCM0072 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Advanced Genes and Behaviour | PSYCM0065 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MSc in Research Methods in Psychology | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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