PSY2025 : Research Methods in Psychology 2c
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Quoc Vuong
- Lecturer: Dr Efstathia Tzemou, Dr Kevin Wilson
- Owning School: Psychology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module has multiple aims:
1. Introduce students to experimental psychology through the engagement with empirical practical work
2. Introduce students to statistical analyses use in experimental psychology
Support students to develop as independent researchers
Outline Of Syllabus
Principles of experimental psychology
Experimental design
Using literature to justify the rationale, hypothesis(es) and predictions of an experiment
Designing experiments
Independent and related samples samples, one-way ANOVA, independent and related samples two-factor ANOVA, post hoc testing, ANCOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Friedman test
Statistical tests used in complex design experiments
Reporting experiments in APA reports.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Non-synchronous online pre-recorded lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 42:30 | 42:30 | Full lab report and essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 13:00 | 13:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 1:30 | 16:30 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in Person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present in person |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The overall rationale is to teach empirical psychology through practical experience. The various sessions are aimed at providing opportunities for students to develop and practice the necessary skills and knowledge outcomes.
The lecture materials introduce the principles of experimental psychology and relevant statistics to guide students to obtain the necessary background knowledge required to conduct their research and justify their methodological choices.
The practical sessions guide students through the research steps or designing an experiment, culminating in communicating the findings in a full report. Students are asked to apply the theoretical knowledge introduced in the lecture materials, thereby developing both their knowledge of empirical psychology and their research skills.
The student-led sessions aim to encourage students to take responsibility of their research project and take initiative in trouble shooting and problem solving. By doing so students will develop skills and confidence as independent researchers.
The staff-led sessions give the students the opportunity to receive weekly formative feedback and reflect on their group work. They also guide students through the more challenging aspects of the practical work.
Guided independent study provides an opportunity to synthesise and consolidate the skills and knowledge covered in the activities mentioned above. Furthermore, the report will be prepared in private study time.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 100 | Full APA lab report (1500 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Short 400 word ethics exercise |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The full report aims to assess the learning outcomes through assessing the students ability to use the most common method of disseminating research in empirical psychology. To demonstrate critical understanding of the research method taught and demonstrate the ability to evaluate the literature, use statistical packages, and follow the conventions of scientific dissemination.
The formative assessment aims to support students understanding of ethical issues in research design. Using research scenarios, students will have to produce a 400-word written exercise identifying ethical considerations in the scenarios.
Formative practice will be embedded in the module through computer based stats exercises providing quick feedback for students on their understanding of the statisitcs covered in the module.
If the module is failed, the report will be submitted as a second attempt during the August examination period and the overall module mark will be capped at 40.
If the module is failed students will resit failed assessments in the same format during the August resit period.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PSY2025's Timetable