PYMCRMP: Research Methods and Data Analysis (Conversion)

Module code: PYMCRMP

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Eugene McSorley, email: e.mcsorley@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to students on the MSc Psychology Conversion programme. (Open)

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 knowledge of, and competency in, psychological research methods and statistics.

Aims:

The aims of the module are that students should develop their knowledge of psychological research methods, statistics, and computer packages for data analysis. They will gain practical experience of a variety of methods, and analysis techniques.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Show the required standard of knowledge about the statistical concepts and techniques that have been taught, and know which techniques are appropriate for particular data
2. Show high-level skill in use of computer packages to implement the statistical methods
3. Show comprehensive understanding of questionnaire design and the principles underlying the use of questionnaires
4. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of qualitative data analysis and study design
5. Gain practical experience of using several psychological research methods
6. Apply their knowledge of research methodology, data analysis and literature searching in projects, essays, and exam questions produced for other modules on the course.

Module content

The module will include topics such as: 

• Introduction to mathematical and statistical concepts in Psychology; 
• Topics in statistics, including the normal distribution, parametric and nonparametric tests (e.g., correlation, paired tests, chi-square), analysis of variance, regression and principal components analysis, and their applications in psychological research; 
• Introduction to questionnaire design; 
• Introduction to qualitative data analysis, study design, and interview techniques; 
• How to choose of statistical methods; 
• Use of a statistical package to analyse and present data; 
• Overview of project planning including ethical issues. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will include lectures on research methods and statistics, including introductory statistical teaching for beginners.  There will also be lectures on general techniques in psychological research, based on the General Linear Model and on non-parametric statistics, as well as others on issues such as: designing and administering questionnaires; psychometrics; qualitative methods such as thematic analysis; and Principal Components Analysis. 

There will also be planned workshops for statistics support, where small groups of students can receive help with any statistics topics that they have found difficult in lectures or practical classes, and receive support with the analyses they need to employ in the projects they complete for other modules. 

Seminars will take place that provide the opportunity to deepen understanding and apply learning. 

In order to enhance knowledge of research methodology and enable students to apply their knowledge of research design and procedure to real examples, students will be expected to earn credits for research participation as part of this module.  These can also be used to help recruit participants for students’ dissertations. 

Study hours

At least 56 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.

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

Reassessment

Additional costs