PY3P-Project

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Katie Barfoot
Email: katie.barfoot@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
PY3P: Project

Aims:
This module enables students to conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and the writing of a final project report. During the project, students work in close collaboration with the supervisor (a member of academic staff, and where appropriate other members of the supervisor's laboratory) and, usually, a student co-worker.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Identify a research question, with reference to critical evaluation of theory and evidence in relevant literature


• Design and implement a study that enables the research question to be addressed


• Accurately apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis


• Appraise the results of the study, with reference to the hypotheses, theoretical context, and w ider research literature

Additional outcomes:

Students will further develop skills in the following:

• Planning and project management


• Professional research behaviours.


• Written communication in a scientific format

Outline content:

Students are required to produce a written project plan in Autumn Term which can usefully be developed into a full project report by the end of Spring Term of Part 3. The project plan will summarise the background and justification for the project, and proposals for the design and implementation of the main project. Students are required to produce a full project report at the end of Spring Term of the third year. The project report should demonstrate that the student has conducted a piece of research that answers a specified hypothesis.

Psychology and philosophy joint honours students may choose to consider relevant philosophical aspects or implications of the topic. The project will be supervised in the Department of Psychology but there may also be additional supervision in the other department for these students where appropriate.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

(a) Regular supervisory support is given at all stages of the project.

(b) Written feedback is provided following submission of the Project Plan. This will help students produce an accomplished final report, whilst also allowing them to demonstrate their ability to work independently at the final report stage.

(c) Statistics support workshops, providing help with the analyses students need to employ in their projects

(d) Students are provided the opportunity to submit a draft for feedback

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials			4
Project Supervision	20	20	2
Practicals classes and workshops	50	60
Guided independent study:	90	154
Total hours by term	160	234	6
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	10
Dissertation	90

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Assessment is by coursework.

Students meet with their allocated supervisor in Summer Term of Part 2 to agree a topic. Students submit a Project Plan (10% of the marks for the module) at the start of Autumn Term in Part 3. Students submit their final Project Report (90% of the marks for the module) by the end of Spring Term in Part 3.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Project to be re-submitted by 1st September if it carries an original mark of less than 40%.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: Two hard copies of the dissertation should be submitted. Assuming a dissertation of around 50 pages, printing should cost approximately £10. Costs for binding will also be incurred at £6 for two bound copies.


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 16 September 2021