PY0FIR: Foundation Introduction to Psychological Research

Module code: PY0FIR

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Foundation Level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Richard Carciofo, email: r.g.carciofo@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with an introduction to psychological research methods, and the basic numerical and data analysis skills which can support their learning during a subsequent psychology degree. The module involves an introduction to:

1. The process of collecting data in psychological research, including: formulating a hypothesis; probability and non-probability methods of recruiting a sample; non-experimental methods of data collection (including observation, interview, questionnaire, and case study); experimental methods of data collection (laboratory, field, and quasi experiments); establishing reliability and validity in research; following ethical guidelines in research.
2. The process of quantitative data analysis, including: checking data (e.g., for outliers); descriptive statistics (such as the mean, mode, median, range, and standard deviation); normal and skewed distributions; graphical presentation of data (such as bar charts, histograms, and line charts); inferential statistics (null hypothesis testing, and an introduction to parametric and non-parametric tests).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in numerical skills for entry to a psychology undergraduate degree 
2. Demonstrate the ability to navigate relevant software, such as excel 
3. Show an understanding of how psychological research is conducted and how data is collected and summarised 

Students will participate in research studies being conducted in the School, and thereby enhance their knowledge of experimental methodology. This will enable them to apply their knowledge of experimental design and procedure to real-life examples. 

Module content

Through lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, and independent study, students will be taught basic mathematics, and will gain an understanding of how psychological research is designed, conducted and how the resulting data is presented and analysed. Students will also receive guidance on how to navigate software typically used in a Psychology degree. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught via lectures, seminars, workshops, and the virtual learning environment. Lecture and seminar slides will be made available on the virtual learning environment prior to the classes. Lectures and seminars will include review questions, and the answers to these will be posted on the virtual learning environment after the classes. Workshops will include computer-based data analysis and data presentation tasks using relevant software such as EXCEL. 

A weekly reading list for self-study will be available on TALIS, with specified readings for each topic from a core textbook. 

Study hours

At least 34 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Mock exam. 

Draft of the Research Report. 

Reassessment

Additional costs