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PS10166: Research methods and design 1

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Quantitative Research Proposal (CW 50%)
  • Qualitative Research Proposal (CW 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:

* To introduce students to qualitative research methods and design.
* To enable students to design and conduct questionnaire and interview based research
* To enable students to analyse and write up research using these methods

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
* To explain the key elements of qualitative research and describe when, how and why different approaches may be used.
* To design and critically evaluate questionnaire based methods in psychology research
* To design and critically evaluate interview-based methods used in psychology research.
* To evaluate qualitative analysis of interview-based and naturally occurring data using different analytic approaches.
* To consider practical and ethical issues relevant to the use of questionnaires, interviews, and naturally occurring data in psychological research.

Skills:
Knowledge of a range of data collection and analysis techniques, and awareness of their strengths and limitations. (T/F A)
Competence in the design of closed and open questions for a questionnaire and interview schedule (T/F A)
Skills in the conduct of research including data gathering and analysis. (T/F A)
Awareness of the practical and ethical considerations in the conduct of research. (T/F A)
Skills in effective written communication of ideas and research findings (T/F A)
Problem solving skills including in the clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and reflection on outcomes. (T/F A)
Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (F A)
Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (F A)

Content:
Introduction to qualitative used in data collection and data analysis.
Choosing and evaluating methodology.
Design of questionnaire and interview-based research.
Conducting questionnaire and interview-based research using different qualitative analysis techniques.
Conducting analysis of naturally occurring data.
Quality and ethical issues.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PS10166 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.