Module Specifications..
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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Description This module is an introduction to the research methodologies of the social sciences and psychotherapy specifically. Students are introduced to the process of developing a research proposal and managing a research project in an ethical manner that is in accordance with professional psychotherapy standards. The module aims to underline the indispensable role research has in evaluating psychotherapy and psychotherapy issues with an emphasis on practice-based research. In this module students will develop knowledge and skills in ethics, research design, literature review, data collection and analysis, interpretation, write-up and dissemination. Students will participate in the following learning activities: lectures, individual and group work exercises, small and full group discussions on the stages of completing a research proposal and research ethics committee application. Where possible there will also be a library seminar during which students will learn to use the University library databases and other resources. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Understand and communicate the importance of research as an integrated aspect of the psychotherapy profession 2. Design a research proposal that will inform the creation of a Research Ethics form 3. Understand the ethical issues regarding research with human participants in line with the standards of the psychotherapy profession 4. Evaluate the main approaches to research, including their philosophical roots, in the context of counselling and psychotherapy based research 5. Undertake a comprehensive literature review pertaining to their research topic, including a critical evaluation of existing research and other materials 6. Apply their understanding of research to professional record keeping and case management 7. Demonstrate how they have used findings from their review of relevant research in their own clinical practise. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Students will focus on the following topics and/or attend to the followingThe Role of Research within PsychotherapyThe contribution of research to the development of the psychotherapy profession and practice will underpin student learning. They will be encouraged to develop a research identity that enables them to explore and articulate their own contribution to the field.The Design of a Research ProjectThe systematic process of developing a viable and real world research project will be progressed through the course including the following stages of research design: field and topic identification, development of research questions and hypotheses, data collection methods, data analysis, interpretation and write-up and dissemination.Research MethodologyAs well as teaching different approaches to research methodology, the course will open up the possibilities of the use of a range of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Research with human participants and texts will be considered. Issues of reliability, representivity, validity and reflexivity will inform exploration of the selection of methods appropriate to the central research question(s) or hypothesis(es)Literature ReviewThe practice of systematic, rigorous and critical review of literature will be covered in this section. A session with the subject librarian in DCU will familiarise students with library databases and other resources such as Refworks. A literature review plan will be developed by students in order that they can complete a literature review for their research proposal assessment.EthicsIrish and European Codes of Practice for psychotherapy researchers will be introduced and used to underpin consideration of ethical issues at each stage of the research project (listed above). Ethical dilemmas in research with human participants will be explored. The process of applying to a Research Ethics Committee application will be rehearsed including the different procedures for receiving ethical approval. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 0, Databases, 0, PsychINFO Counselling and Psychotherapy Transcripts / Client Narratives and Reference Works, 0, Journals, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology Review Psychotherapy Research, 0, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology Review Psychotherapy Research, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Useful wesites re Ethics: British Psychological Society Ethical Principles for Conducting Research with Human Participants www.bps.org.uk European Association for Psychotherapy Statement of Ethical Principles www.europsyche.org IACP Code of Ethics and Practice for Counsellors / Psychotherapists www.irish-counselling.ie NDA Research with children with disabilities: A Checklist for Good Practice www.nda.ie NDA Ethics in Disability Research www.nda.ie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes
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