Research Methods in Psychology MSc

This module is designed to help introduce you to the theoretical and practical complexities of the research process. The module will cover both qualitative and quantitative techniques, and it is aimed as a series of taster sessions. If you feel any of the techniques suit your research, your supervisor, and expert members of staff, will help you learn more about your chosen technique. Research training in the form of literature searching, constructing literature reviews, communicating and publicising your work will also be covered. Additional areas to be covered in this module include: the research process, research techniques, research ethics and scientific writing skills.

Develop an understanding of the most commonly used statistical techniques used in psychological research. This module develops a critical understanding of the principles of data collection and analysis for psychology of various quantitative methods. Practical issues surrounding statistical procedures are delivered in computer practical sessions. These will involve real-world research questions being presented to students. Example data sets will be provided and analysed. You will be required to analyse additional data sets independently and submit these for assessment. The statistical methods taught have been directed by the Economic and Social Research Council's Postgraduate Training Guidelines (4th and 5th editions). These will be written up in APA format, required by psychologists. The course will be delivered through lab-based practical sessions. The module will equip you with a wide range of highly useful transferable, research and analysis skills (such as numerical skills, use of SPSS, IT skills, experimental design, and presentations) which are highly relevant in the employment environment.

Gain a critical understanding and practical skills in advanced qualitative techniques, including interpretative phenomenological and discourse analysis. We have created the content of this module with direction from the Economic and Social Research Council's Postgraduate Training Guidelines (fourth and fifth editions).

You'll chose an independent research topic from an area of expertise within our department (subject to availability of suitable supervision) and will conduct a significant research project in that area which may involve a literature review, data collection, analysis and a write-up. The final piece of work should be equivalent to a maximum of 12,000 words.

In this module we will cover the theoretical foundations of the cognitive neuroscience approach and address many of the leading topics in the field. These include memory and learning, face and visual object processing, language, central executive function and intelligence. We will cover past and present research, although the emphasis will be on currently unresolved theoretical debates.

Explore the predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors in developmental difficulties experienced in childhood and adolescence. This module introduces a contextual approach to the frameworks for clinical practice in addition to covering many of the problems experienced in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Conduct problems, attention and overactivity difficulties, fear and anxiety problems, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders such as anorexia are all covered in the syllabus. Assessment in this module takes place through two coursework assignments. Content is delivered through a mixture of lectures and practical sessions. This module will be a useful introduction for those considering further professional training and careers in clinical work with children, adolescents and their families.

This module will focus on Social Psychological Approach to Consumer Psychology. Its overall aim is to provide an insight into the psychological and social factors that influence consumer behaviour at various stages of consumption. The module will emphasise the reasons why the study of contemporary consumerism is important in fully understanding human behaviour as well as modern economies. The module will discuss social-psychological aspects of consumers’ functioning such as social influence tactics used in sales, persuasion, advertising or e-commerce alongside the role of consumer’s personality and identity. Application of theories and research to topics such as sustainable consumption, food consumption, branding and advertising will be considered. The module is designed to illustrate the diversity of schools of thought, paradigms and methods present in the field and to demonstrate the multiple ways that the psychology of the individual and groups can be applied to understanding consumers. During the course of the module emphasis will be placed on critical consideration of the application of theory to consumer context. The module will equip students with a range of key transferable skills useful in the workplace, such as oral presentation skills, critical thinking, analysis of cases and application of theory to aid understanding of consumer behaviour. This module is delivered face-to-face over 12h of lectures and 12h of seminars (2h per week) and requires 276h of student managed learning (96 hours lecture/seminar reading and 180 hours reading and preparation for coursework and exam) totalling 300h hours of learning activities.