Psychological Research Methods – (M.Sc.)

Course Content

In order to complete the MSc in Psychological Research Methods, you will be required to study the following modules: * Research and Personal Development Skills
* Fieldwork and Consultancy Skills
* Professional and Ethical Issues in Research and Practice
* Psychological Research in Context
* Personal and Professional Development
* Research Methods Portfolio
* Advanced Research Methods 1 and 2

Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Towards the end of the course, you will complete an individual empirical research project, under supervision, in your chosen area of work.
You will develop a research portfolio including: project proposal and ethics submission; project management report; research paper written as if for submission to a named peer-reviewed journal; and executive summary.
The project may be carried out within the Institute or in the School of Psychology.

Course Structure
The MSc in Psychological Research Methods is delivered on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years. It commences in September each year.

The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits´ worth of core and optional taught modules and a 60 credit empirical research project.

The course structure of the MSc in Psychological Research Methods is hierarchical, progressing from generic skills relating to research and career development, through the knowledge and skills commonly required for effective psychological research, to those more specifically and particularly related to your chosen area of study.

The final demonstration of your acquired knowledge and skills is the empirical research project, with a research management report. The project is written up as if for publication in a refereed scientific journal and forms an obvious bridge into your PhD studies.

Course teaching involves lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, peer discussion groups, dissertation work, and project work.

Part-time students on this course are taught alongside full-time students and the choice of modules (and therefore the timetable) is flexible and a matter for agreement between student and course director. In all cases, part-time students can access a wide range of teaching and learning facilities remotely via the student portal.

Modules
Applied Research ProjectEmpirical research project in applied psychology. Advanced Methods in Psychology 1In conjunction with C8DAMS, this module seeks to extend the appreciation of both qualitative and quantitative research methods in psychology. In particular this module considers (a) some specialised methods of gathering data in applied psychological research, e.g. focus groups, diary studies, direct observation, use of the Internet, (b) epidimiological research methods, (c) further multivariate analysis, and (d) further qualitative analysis, e.g. content analysis, discourse analysis, archival and documentary analysis.Advanced Methods in Psychology 2In conjunction with C8DAMI, this module seeks to extend the appreciation of both qualitative and quantitative research methods in psychology.Empirical Research Project (Psychology)Empirical research project.Fieldwork and Consultancy SkillsThe module covers the core skills required by field research and consultancy. Students will learn basic skills involved in initiating, conducting and completing research and consulting, including gaining access, applying properly developed methods and evaluating outcomes. It also considers ethical issues and the Code of Conduct of the British Psychological Society. Psychological Research in Context (Dissertation)This module looks at domain-specific topics in academic research in psychology. Students elect to study one of the following areas: Environmental, Occupational, Health, Educational, Clinical, Social, and Cognitive Psychology. Students explore in depth their chosen knowledge area and its related methodological issues with the view of applying basic theory to their own research interests.Professional and Ethical Issues in Research and PracticeThis module will introduce key issues in research and practice in psychology through a series of individual seminars. Different topics will be presented and critically evaluated in the context of psychological research.Research and Personal Development SkillsThis module covers general research skills and personal development skills. Students attend a series of short courses provided by the Graduate School, according to their required personal development and research needs, and as agreed with their first supervisor. provision is made within the Institute to provide equivalent courses if the Graduate School courses are full or not available.Personal and Professional DevelopmentThis module aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore their own personal and professional development within the context of applied psychologyCore Research MethodsThis module discusses the nature and philosophy of psychology as a social science. Students will be introduced to basic issues relating to the nature, philosophy and strategies of social science, to related issues of research methods and ethics. The module will consider the practical and social psychological issues involved in conducting research in field situations (eg obtaining participants, sampling, keeping records)Health and Clinical Research MethodsThe module will cover health and clinical scales and assessment, epidemiology, interviewing and qualitative analysis, RCTs, single case experimental designs, systematic reviews and meta-analysisOccupational Research MethodsThe module will cover psychometric issues such as reliability and validity, and the design and evaluation of measures, epidemiology, interviewing, and psychometrics.Analytical Research Methods