Unit information: Research Project Major in 2021/22

Unit name	Research Project Major
Unit code	PSYC31013
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Attwood
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

This unit comprises carrying out and writing up an original research project based on empirical investigations carried out by the student, with guidance from the project supervisor.

The aims of this unit are to build on the Year 1 and Year 2 research methods units, and for students to carry out their own research study in psychology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Choose an appropriate research question that requires the application of quantitative or qualitative techniques in psychological science.
2. Demonstrate initiative in the design, development or enquiry required to address an original research question.
3. Select accurate techniques and demonstrate personal responsibility for conducting an empirical investigation in psychology.
4. Summarise solutions to a research problem and interpret research findings.
5. Write up a research report appropriate to psychological science.

Teaching Information

Independent (and optional group) work with supervisor. Teaching consists of meetings with the project supervisor to determine the nature of the theoretical question to be addressed, the appropriate empirical approach to the question, steering the proposal through the Ethics Committee, setting up and conducting the empirical work, analysing the data and discussion of the implications of the findings for the theoretical question posed.

Assessment Information

Formative (mandatory) project proposal. Final unit mark based on project (100%).The main body of the report is not to exceed 6,000 words (7,000 for qualitative reports, to reflect the textual nature of the data).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYC31013).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.