PSYC08027 2022 Research Methods for Psychology III

General Details

Full Title
Research Methods for Psychology III
Transcript Title
Res Meth for Psych III
Code
PSYC08027
Attendance
70 %
Subject Area
PSYC - 0313 Psychology
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
08 - Level 8
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Dr. Allison Gillen
Programme Membership
SG_HENGL_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Psychology SG_WENGL_H08 202500 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Psychology SG_WPSYC_H08 202500 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and English
Description

This Research Methods for Psychology III module will build on the research knowledge and skills developed in the previous Research Methods for Psychology modules.  Students will explore research methods with a particular focus on the practical experience of the ethical administration of surveys.  Students will subsequently learn how to analyse this survey data using SPSS, with particular emphasis on correlation and regression.  In addition, this Research Methods for Psychology III module will promote advanced levels of critical analysis of research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key theoretical assumptions which underpin research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.

2.

Generate original survey quantitative data which is ethically sourced.

3.

Demonstrate evidence of competency in conducting survey quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.

4.

Demonstrate evidence of competency in interpreting and reporting survey quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.

5.

Critically evaluate and discuss key issues as they relate to research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This Research Methods for Psychology III module will be delivered through formal face-to-face lecture and laboratory sessions, using a range of strategies including PowerPoint presentations, research based activities, laboratory work, journal articles, and discussion of topics and online materials.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of group work, independent learning, and using SPSS.  Students will be expected to develop their knowledge of topics through independent and guided reading for the lecture and laboratory sessions, and by engaging with the activities during the lecture and laboratory sessions.

Module Assessment Strategies

Assessment 1: Survey Quantitative Research Report (70%; 2,500 words)

Students will design a questionnaire and include this in a survey.  Students will complete a Survey Quantitative Research Report based on the analysis of this quantitative data.  Required analyses include: Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assumption testing, correlation and regression.

 

Assessment 2: Oral Presentation (30%)

Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Research Methods for Psychology by presenting a critical evaluation of research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology through the medium of a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Formative Assessment (Pre-Requisite) - Psychology Research Project Proposal

Students must complete and submit the formative Psychology Research Project Proposal assessment from the Research Methods for Psychology III module by the date and time specified to enrol on the Psychology Research Project module, and to be allocated a Supervisor for their Psychology Research Project module.  Any student who fails to complete and submit the formative Psychology Research Project Proposal assessment may be delayed in gaining allocation to a Supervisor, and any Supervision time missed will not be provided at another stage – students will not be provided with any additional Supervision.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they meet the pre-requisite requirements of the Psychology Research Project module as stipulated above.

References must be presented in APA format.

Repeat Assessments

Students who do not successfully complete this work will resubmit for the next available sitting.  This second attempt will be capped at 40%.

Indicative Syllabus

This Research Methods for Psychology III module is divided into five topics: (1) Research Design in Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research in Psychology; (2) Ethical Considerations of Psychology Research; (3) Descriptive and Inferential Statistical Data Analysis [including Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assumption testing, correlation and regression]; (4) Interpretation and Reporting of Descriptive and Inferential Statistical Data Analysis [including Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assumption testing, correlation and regression]; and (5) Using SPSS.

 

Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key theoretical assumptions which underpin research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.

Building on the learning achieved from the Research Ethics in Psychology module, the Research Methods for Psychology I and the Research Methods for Psychology II module, a critical understanding of the key theoretical assumptions underpinning research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research for Psychology will be demonstrated.

 

Learning Outcome 2: Generate original survey quantitative data which is ethically sourced.

Ethical considerations such as those from the Psychological Society of Ireland's Code of Professional Ethics and other appropriate Codes of Professional Ethics will be applied to facilitate the collection of primary and original survey quantitative data which is ethically sourced.

 

Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate evidence of competency in conducting survey quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.

Following the collection of the primary and original survey quantitative data which is ethically sourced, students will learn how to analyse this quantitative data including Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assumption testing, correlation and regression using SPSS software.

 

Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate evidence of competency in interpreting and reporting survey quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.

Students will demonstrate skills of appropriate Report Writing in Psychology by demonstrating that they can interpret and report their survey quantitative data analysis (including Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assumption testing, correlation and regression) appropriately with the evidence included from SPSS to demonstrate competency.

 

Learning Outcome 5: Critically evaluate and discuss key issues as they relate to research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.

Building on the learning achieved from the Research Ethics in Psychology module, the Research Methods for Psychology I, the Research Methods for Psychology II module, and considering the current learning from this Research Methods for Psychology III module, students will critically evaluate and discuss key issues relating to research design in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research in Psychology.  Strengths and limitations of each of these will be explored and critically considered.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Survey Quantitative Research Report Coursework Assessment Assessment 70 % Week 11 1,2,3,4
2 Oral Presentation Coursework Assessment Assessment 30 % Week 13 1,5
3 Psychology Research Project Proposal Formative Assessment 0 % End of Semester

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Lecture Theatre Lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Practical / Laboratory Computer Laboratory Laboratory Practical 3 Weekly 3.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Student Independent Effort Hours 6 Weekly 6.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 5.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2020-04-09 SPSS Survival Manual Open University Press
ISBN 0335249493 ISBN-13 9780335249497

This is a completely updated edition of the internationally successful, user-friendly guide that takes students and researchers through the often daunting process of analysing research data with the widely used SPSS software package. Fully revised and updated for IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, this text guides you through the entire research process & helps you choose the right data analysis technique for your project. From the formulation of research questions, to the design of the study and analysis of data, to reporting the results, it discusses basic and advanced statistical techniques. It outlines each technique clearly, with step-by-step procedures for performing the analysis, a detailed guide to interpreting data output and an example of how to present the results in a report. -- Publisher description.

Required Reading
2018-12-03 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
ISBN 1138708968 ISBN-13 9781138708969

The seventh edition of Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology provides students with the most readable and comprehensive survey of research methods, statistical concepts and procedures in psychology today. Assuming no prior knowledge, this bestselling text takes you through every stage of your research project giving advice on planning and conducting studies, analysing data and writing up reports. The book provides clear coverage of experimental, interviewing and observational methods, psychological testing, qualitative methods and analysis and statistical procedures which include nominal level tests, multi-factorial ANOVA designs, multiple regression, log linear analysis, and factor analysis. It features detailed and illustrated SPSS instructions for all these and other procedures, eliminating the need for an extra SPSS textbook. New features to this edition include: Additional coverage of factor analysis and online and modern research methods Expanded coverage of report writing guidelines References updated throughout Presentation updated throughout, to include more figures, tables and full colour to help break up the text Companion website signposted throughout the book to improve student usability Improved and extended web links and further reading associated with every chapter. Each chapter contains a glossary, key terms and newly integrated exercises, ensuring that key concepts are understood. A fully updated companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/coolican) provides additional exercises, testbanks for each chapter, revision flash cards, links to further reading and data for use with SPSS.

Required Reading
2018-01-15 Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics SAGE Publications Limited
ISBN 1526419513 ISBN-13 9781526419514

With an exciting new look, new characters to meet, and its unique combination of humour and step-by-step instruction, this award-winning book is the statistics lifesaver for everyone. From initial theory through to regression, factor analysis and multilevel modelling, Andy Field animates statistics and SPSS software with his famously bizarre examples and activities. Whats brand new: A radical new design with original illustrations and even more colour A maths diagnostic tool to help students establish what areas they need to revise and improve on. A revamped digital resource that uses video, case studies, datasets and more to help students negotiate project work, master data management techniques, and apply key writing and employability skills New sections on replication, open science and Bayesian thinking Now fully up to date with latest versions of IBM SPSS Statistics. Please note that ISBN: 9781526445780 comprises the paperback edition of the Fifth Edition and the student version of IBM SPSS Statistics. More information on this version of the software's features can be found here.

Required Reading
2019-12 Concise Guide to APA Style American Psychological Association (APA)
ISBN 1433832739 ISBN-13 9781433832734

Designed specifically for undergraduate writing, this easy-to-use pocket guide provides complete guidance for new writers on effective, clear, and inclusive scholarly communication and the essentials of formatting papers and other course assignments.

Recommended Reading
2020-01-14 Reporting Quantitative Research in Psychology American Psychological Association (APA)
ISBN 1433832836 ISBN-13 9781433832833

"This book offers practical guidance for understanding and implementing the American Psychological Association's Journal Article Reporting Standards for Quantitative Research (JARS-Quant) and Meta-Analysis Reporting Standards (MARS). These standards lay out the essential pieces information researchers need to report, including detailed accounts of the methods they followed, data results and analysis, interpretations of their findings, and implications for future research. The book reflects updates to the original JARS and the MARS that meet researchers' developing needs in the behavioral, social, educational, and medical sciences. It analyzes examples from APA journals, offering readers easy-to-read advice for implementing these revised standards in their own writing while also conforming with the APA Style guidelines laid out in the sixth edition of the Publication Manual. New and expanded chapters offer more detailed guidelines for reporting statistical analyses and unique elements of different types of research, including replication studies, clinical trials, and observational studies. This book is essential reading for experienced and early career researchers alike, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in research methods classes. It presents what JARS recommends for information to include in all reports on new quantitative data collections, and addresses the material that appears first in a research manuscript. It also describes the Method section, presents the JARS standards for reporting basic research designs and covers the general reporting requirements for the statistical results of studies with multiple participants in each condition."--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Recommended Reading
2020-01-14 Reporting Qualitative Research in Psychology American Psychological Association (APA)
ISBN 1433833433 ISBN-13 9781433833434

"Reporting standards are guidelines that describe how to communicate findings clearly in journal articles so that readers can access and understand the story of the research endeavor. Recognizing that reporting standards can aid authors in the process of writing and evaluating manuscripts and editors and reviewers in the process of evaluating those manuscripts, the Publications and Communications (P&C) Board of the American Psychological Association (APA) invited two task forces of researchers to develop standards for reporting quantitative and qualitative research in journal articles. The Quantitative Journal Article Reporting Standards Working Group developed standards for quantitative research, and a separate book details those standards. This book discusses the reporting standards. It permits the space to expand on the ideas in those standards and to articulate the rationale behind each. It articulates decisions one may need to make as an author as one decides how to present their work. It also provides examples to illustrate a strong presentation style, and these can serve as helpful models. It provides the conceptual undergirding for the reporting decisions that authors make during the writing process. The book considers the typical sections of a qualitative research paper7the introductory sections, Method, Results, and Discussion. Guidance is provided for how to best present qualitative research, with rationales and illustrations. The book presents reporting standards for qualitative meta-analyses, which are integrative analyses of findings from across primary qualitative research. The book includes a discussion of objectivist and constructivist rhetorical styles in research reporting."--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

 

URL Resources

The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) has many useful resources for students including the PSI's Code of Professional Ethics, resources such as writing style and links to publications and journals.  (https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/).


The British Psychological Society (BPS) has various sections providing resources such as the BPS Research Digest, links to journals, publications and ethical guidelines.  (www.bps.org.uk).

 

The American Psychological Association (APA) has various divisions and useful resources for students and practitioners.  The website provides resources such as writing style and ethical guidelines, links to publications and journals.  (www.apa.org)

Other Resources
Additional Information

There may also be additional Recommended Reading and Further Reading suggested during the Lecture and Laboratory sessions.  Some of the links to these resources may be provided in the weekly folders in the module area online.  However, at this level of study students are reminded that they are expected to read widely and extensively, sourcing their own contemporary, appropriate, academic, psychology-based literature to be fully informed on the topics.

As a 10 credit module, the total Student Independent Effort Hours for this module are 6 hours per week.