Unit information: Psychological Research Methods (Conversion) in 2019/20

Unit name	Psychological Research Methods (Conversion)
Unit code	PSYCM0070
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Allen
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

In this unit, students will be introduced to three broad methodological approaches to research in psychology (experimental, correlational and qualitative), and to data collection and analysis techniques associated with each. A class research project will be conducted within each methodological approach, and students will individually select one of these projects to develop into a full research report.

A ‘flipped classroom’ model of instruction will be employed, wherein students will be expected to engage with video lectures, readings and practical activities prior to each laboratory session. The first part of each laboratory session will focus on reviewing students’ progress on the practical activities, and on completing a range of assessment tasks. The second half will focus on the tasks necessary for the successful execution of the class research projects.

The aims of this unit are to:

• Introduce students to a range of methodological approaches to psychological research, and data collection and analysis techniques associated with each.

• Provide students with the opportunity to conduct psychological research, and interpret and report research findings according to disciplinary conventions.

• Facilitate students’ development of a range of transferable research skills, including sourcing and critically reading original research papers; asking and answering specific, measurable, and realistic research questions; the appropriate use of relevant IT resources; and written and oral communication.

• Give students exposure to a diversity of research currently being conducted in the School via their participation in the school’s experimental hours scheme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Apply data collection and analysis techniques associated with a range of methodological approaches to psychological research questions.
2. Justify the selection and use of data collection and analysis techniques.
3. Interpret and report research findings according to established disciplinary conventions.

Teaching Information

This unit will adopt a ‘flipped’ approach to instruction. Students will be expected to engage with video lectures, readings and practical activities prior to each laboratory session. The first part of each laboratory session will focus on reviewing students’ progress on the practical activities, and on completing a range of assessment tasks. Students’ performance on these assessment tasks will be aggregated, and is worth 50% of the final grade for this unit. The second half of each laboratory session will focus on completing the tasks necessary for successful execution of three class research projects. Students will individually select one of these projects to develop into a full research report, which will be worth 50% of the unit grade.

Assessment Information

1 x 2000-word project report (50%).

Ongoing in-class assessment (50%).

Participation in 5 hours’ worth of the Experimental Hours Scheme is required for the award of credit.

Reading and References

Readings are posted on blackboard and in lecture slides.