Module overview
The Applied Research Methods Modules cover the common needs for training in research methods and statistics of all students in their first year of postgraduate study in psychology. As one of a series of research units, it provides trainees with knowledge and skills to develop proficiency in the Health Professions Council (HPC) Standards of Proficiency (SOP).
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe the main concepts relevant to the design and conduct of a variety of research methodologies including small N, interventions, and mixed methods designs.
- Select and apply strategies for effective and systematic literature searching.
- Identify and describe key features of the philosophical underpinnings of research methods used in psychology.
- Recognise and appropriately address ethical issues that apply to psychological research.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key principles and practices in the development and planning of psychological research.
Syllabus
· Philosophical underpinnings of research, research questions and hypotheses, & mixed methods
· Ethics and Governances
· Data preparation, power and effect size.
· Clinically significant / statistically significant change & case studies and single sample studies
· Clinical trials and interventions
· Systematic reviews - the literature search process
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This is a 10 CATS (5 ECTS) module, which translates into a total study time of 100 hours. These 100 hours are split into 18 teaching hours and 82 hours of independent study. Teaching will consist of six three hour long workshop sessions. During teaching sessions a variety of teaching and learning methods will be used including lecture presentations; group work (for example role play of an ethics committee, assessing research questions and forming hypotheses, discussing study designs), using a computer to conduct literature searches and calculations. Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback are built into the module in the form of in-class teaching and learning activities. Staff provide verbal feedback during these activities to help you gauge and develop your knowledge and understanding. Test-yourself multiple choice questions (with automated feedback/answers) are available on Blackboard so that you can evaluate your own knowledge and understanding.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 12 |
| Independent Study | 70 |
| Total study time | 100 |
Resources & Reading list
Journal Articles
Jacobson, N. S. & Truax, P. (1991). Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research.". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(1), pp. pg.12-19.
Textbooks
Barker, C. Pistrang, N. & Elliott, R. (2015). Research Methods in Clinical Psychology: Anintroduction for Students and Practitioners. Sussex: Wiley.
Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: Sage.
British Psychological Society (2021). BPS Code of Human Research Ethics.
American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Morley, S. (2018). Single-case methods in clinical psychology. Routledge.
Marks, D. F. & Yardley, L (2004). Research methods for clinical and health psychology. London: Sage.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Exam
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External