PY4PR: Empirical Project

Module code: PY4PR

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

Credits: 40

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Summer / Semester 1 / Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Katie Barfoot, email: katie.barfoot@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: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Research project for MSci Applied (Clinical) students.

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. Projects should be clinically-relevant wherever possible, and can include clinically-relevant questions tested on a broader phenotype.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify a research question, with reference to critical evaluation of theory and evidence in relevant literature
2. Design and implement a study that enables the research question to be addressed
3. Accurately apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis
4. Appraise the results of the study, with reference to the hypotheses, theoretical context, and wider research literature
5. Further develop skills in the following:
   1. Planning and project management 
   2. Professional research behaviours 
   3. Written communication in a scientific format 

Module content

Students are required to produce a written project proposal in Semester 1 which can usefully be developed into a full project report by week 8 of Semester 2 of Part 4. The project proposal will summarise the background and justification for the project, and plans for the design and implementation of the main project. Students are required to produce a full project report by week 8 of Semester 2 of the fourth year. The project report should demonstrate that the student has conducted a piece of research that answers a specified hypothesis. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

1. Regular supervisory support is given at all stages of the project.
2. Written feedback is provided following submission of the Project Proposal. 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.
3. Research Methods support workshops, providing help with the analyses students need to employ in their projects.
4. Students are provided the opportunity to submit a draft for feedback.

The study hours listed in the summer will be completed during Part 3, whereas the hours listed in Semester 1 and 2 will be completed during Part 4.

Study hours

At least 3 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 50% 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.

A draft of the project report (introduction, methods and results) can be submitted to the Supervisor in Semester 2, Week 5 for feedback. 

Reassessment

Additional costs