PYM0PL2-Placement

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: e.a.feredoes@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides students with an opportunity to work with an established researcher in psychology, language science or neuroscience.  Students will be exposed to practical issues in research. They will work on practical problems and write a report about their activities, the skills they have acquired and what they have learned about the particular research field in which they have been embedded.

Allocation to any particular placement is the decision of the Module Convenor.

Aims:

The aims of the module are that the student should further their understanding of research in a particular domain of psychology. This will help inform career decisions at the end of the programme.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

1. Show understanding of practical considerations pertaining to their placement.


2. Have reflected on feedback received from their placement supervisor(s) and generated an effective response (or plan how to respond)


3. Demonstrate they have completed the requisite hours (including hours undertaken remotely).


4. Describe how their understanding and skills have changed as a result of the placement.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain an appreciation of research as a career.  Students will have the opportunity to apply research skills they develop in this module to other modules e.g. PYM0EP.  Students will likely develop other transferable skills, the precise nature of which depend on the placement undertaken.

Outline content:

Content will depend on individual supervisors who will set specific tasks as described in advance in a ‘job description’.  Exceptionally, students may identify and arrange their own placements.  All such arrangements will be at the discretion of the Programme Director and Module Convenor.  Assessment requirements mean placements must be completed by the end of July, unless specific arrangements are made to the contrary.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be by hands-on instruction by supervisors and others in the laboratory or equivalent work environment (remotely or in-person), as well as by consulting relevant on-line guides as appropriate (e.g. Library guides or software manuals).  Students should spend 320 hours working for their supervisor (i.e. time on placement activities).  This allowance includes training time, which will vary from placement to placement.  A total of 400 hours should be allocated to the p lacement module.  Students must not accumulate more hours than this.  The exact number of placement hours in each term will be arranged as required by the supervisor in discussion with the student, although it is anticipated that the majority of the placement hours will be undertaken between April and August.  At the placement supervisor’s discretion, these hours can be undertaken remotely.

To pass the placement, the student mus t accumulate the minimum number of hours and the supervisor must agree that these have been completed.  If the supervisor does not credit the student with the minimum number of hours the student will fail the module.

As part of the placement, students will be asked to complete a Learning Agreement with their supervisor as well as an Interim Report.  As part of the assessment for the module, supervisors will be asked to provide an Exit Repo rt describing the extent to which students have achieved the aims of the placement.

NB:  The contact hours per term specified below are illustrative and may vary.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by a single piece of written work comprising:

1. a report on the objectives of the placement, activities undertaken, and theoretical understanding gained (e.g. understanding concepts being researched in the lab)


2. a reflective piece in which students assess the skills needed for/acquired in the placement which includes explicit reference to the Learning Agreement

The Exit Report will also form part of the module assessment in that it will be used to judge if the requirements of the placement have been met.

Formative assessment methods:

As determined by the supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails the assignment, an alternative, equivalent assignment can be submitted.  The assignment and date of submission will be by arrangement with the Module Convenor and/or Programme Director.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 29 June 2020