PY2RMP: Research methods in Psychology

Module code: PY2RMP

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Rachel McCloy, email: r.a.mccloy@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: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to further develop students’ skills required for the scientific study of psychology. Students will extend upon their existing knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology; further examine the methods of conducting and analysing quantitative and qualitative research; enhance their data analysis (i.e. using statistical packages) and critical evaluation skills. 

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Dr Jasmine Lee (jasminekarwye.lee@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of more advanced statistical techniques and qualitative research approaches.  
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles underlying the use and design of interviews and questionnaires in research. 
3. Be proficient in manipulating and interpreting statistical data using SPSS and Excel, questionnaire data, and qualitative data.
4. Understand and evaluate the research process in psychology, including research participation, ethical practice, and analysis decisions. 

Module content

The module will cover a range of more advanced research methods, typically including:

• Topics in statistics, including parametric and nonparametric analysis of variance, regression, and principal component analysis. 
• Topics in qualitative and mixed methods research, including interpretative phenomenological analysis, and introduction to discourse analysis, grounded theory, and case study approaches. 
• questionnaire design and analysis. 
• designing and running interviews and focus groups. 
• Use of statistical software (SPSS/Excel) to analyse and present data. 
• Individual and group work that exemplifies the design and analysis techniques that have been taught in lectures. 
• Develop research management skills; overview of project planning and understanding and considering ethics and ethical issues across all aspects of their professional practice. 
• Participation in research studies. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Lectures will employ a variety of teaching methods appropriate to the material and the learning outcomes. 
• Workshop sessions involve guided practical exercises in groups to familiarise students with technical content of the lectures and learn the use of the statistical package SPSS. 
• Practical workshop sessions involve supervision and guided practical exercises in groups to plan and conduct a qualitative research report as part of a mixed methods research portfolio. 
• Participation in research studies, selected from those available, followed by debriefing, and answering questions on each. 
• Research methods support drop-in sessions where students can receive help with any topics relating to research methods, they may have found difficult in lectures or workshops.

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 49 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.

Exercises in lectures and workshops: enable students to prepare for the continuous assessment questions. 

Formative feedback available on draft qual analysis to enable students to prepare for report. 

Reassessment

Additional costs