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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Research Inquiry
Module Code NS587
School 38
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Alice McEleney
Semester 2: Alice McEleney
Autumn: Alice McEleney
Module TeachersGemma Kiernan
Alice McEleney
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

To enable students to develop a critical appreciation and understanding of research paradigms and underpinning philosophy of science, toward enabling the expansion of knowledge and the application of research, evidence-based practice and practice based evidence in psychotherapy and health care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Appreciate the value of ethical inquiry
2. Distinguish quantitative and qualitative approaches in relation to underpinning philosophy
3. Identify and describe a range of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies
4. Critically review existing evidence in psychotherapy
5. Develop an appreciation of the translation of research knowledge to practice



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture20Coverage of main concept/theories in the module
Online activity5Interactive forums
Group work10Small projects presented to peers
Independent Study90Directed on weekly basis
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Inquiry as everyday
Identification of areas of life where inquiry occurs ‘naturally’

Inquiry and evidence based practice
How research contributes to practice and vice versa

Philosophy of quantitative research
The nature of science and scientific inquiry

Philosophy of qualitative research
The nature of intrepretivism, theory induction and critical analysis

Quantitative approaches
Experimental design, quasi- experimental design, survey design

Qualitative approaches
Grounded theory, phenomenology, interpretative phenomenological analysis, ethnography

Research ethics
Malefience, beneficience, autonomy and justice

Critical reviewing
Systematic approaches to critiquing a research paper

Theory/research/practice triad
The theory practice gap, the process of translation, confidence and adaptation in clinical settings

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayEssay 2,500 words: A critical review of one quantitative and one qualitative psychotherapy research paper, including: review of approach taken; evaluation of fidelity to quantitative or qualitative approach; identification of any other viable approaches; ethical issues; comment on the applicability of the paper to own psychotherapy practice90%n/a
PresentationPowerpoint Presentation of Research Proposal in Class10%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Loewentha, D & Avdi, E.: 2019, Developments in Qualitative Psychotherapy Research., Routledge, UK,
  • McLeod, J.: 2013, An Introduction to Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sage, London,
  • McLeod, J.: 2022, Doing Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy, 4th ed, Sage, London,
  • Vossler, A. & Moller, N. (eds): 2014, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Handbook., Sage, London,
  • Anderson, S.K. & Handelsman, M.M.: 2011, Ethics for Psychotherapists and Counselors: A Proactive Approach., Wiley, USA,
  • Aveyard, H.: 2018, Doing a literature review in health and social care: A practical guide,, 4th ed, Open University Press,
  • Booth, A., Sutton, A., Clowes, M & Martyn-St James, M. .: 2022, Systematic approaches to a successful literature review, 3rd ed, Sage,
  • Cooper, M.: 2008, Essential Research Findings, Sage, London,
  • McLeod, J.: 2011, Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy, Sage, London,
  • McLeod J.: 2016, Using Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sage, London,
  • Timulak, L.: 2008, Research in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Sage, London,
  • Tribe, R., & Morrissey, J.: 2020, The handbook of professional, ethical and research practice for psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and psychiatrists,, 3rd ed, Brunner-Routledge,
  • Willig, C.: 2021, Introducing qualitative research in psychology, 4th ed, McGraw Hill Education, Maidenhead,
  • Smith, J & Nizza, I.E.: 2022, Essentials of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 1st, American Psychological Association,
Other Resources

61038, Journal, 0, Journal of Psychotherapy Research, 61039, Website of Organisation, 0, Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR),
Programme or List of Programmes
AMPDPhD
AMPMMSc
AMPTPhD-track
BTPDPhD
BTPMMSc
BTPTPhD-track
CHPDPhD
CHPMMaster of Science
CHPTPhD-track
GDCOUGraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy
HHPDPhD
HHPMMSc
HHPTPhD-track
MCOUMasters in Psychotherapy
NSPDPhD
NSPMMSc
NSPTPhD-track
PHPDPhD
PHPMMSc
PHPTPhD-track
PYPDPhD
PYPMMaster of Science
PYPTPhD-track
SMPNSingle Module Programme (Nursing)
SSPDPhD
SSPMMSc
SSPTPhD-track
Date of Last Revision07-OCT-10
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