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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Research Methods & Statistics 2
Module Code PSYC207 (ITS) / PSY1095 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorLisa Fitzgerald
Module TeachersLorraine Boran, Simon Dunne
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

This module builds on " Psychology Research Methods and Statistics 1” in year 1 and introduces students to more advanced quantitative research methodologies, designs and analytical techniques in psychology. It also introduces students to statistical tests such as univariate and factorial ANOVA, regression analysis, their appropriate usage and how to compute them using the SPSS statistical package. Practical experience through laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises will continue. This module will also promote the skills necessary to evaluate and critique empirical journal articles.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss quantitative research designs and methods, and assess their strengths and limitations
2. Understand the principles of ANOVA and regression, appropriately carry out such analyses using SPSS and report statistical results in a manner consistent with standard report writing.
3. Identify the importance of power and effect size when carrying out any analysis
4. Be proficient in identifying the limitations of specific methodologies and in understanding the relative merits of quantitative approaches to an identified research question
5. Think critically about research and apply the skills involved in reviewing to understand the strengths and weaknesses of design, methods, analysis and conclusion
6. Use advanced searching skills to effectively use library and online psychology resources



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12Introducing theories, methods, statistics
Laboratory24Practicals: Conducting and analysing experiments
Independent Study57Write up of practicals, becoming familiar with statistical concepts and research methods, identifying and critiquing key readings, report and tutorial preparation
Independent Study28Preparation for assessment
Tutorial4Participation in practice materials and activities
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

Advanced information literacy skills

Regression

Experimental design

Statistical power and effect size

One-way ANOVA

Repeated measures ANOVA

Mixed Factorial ANOVA

Non-parametric equivalent to ANOVA

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Report(s)Write-up of one quantitative practical report40%n/a
AssignmentCritique of one Quantitative Journal Article20%n/a
In Class TestCompletion of one in-class statistical and research methods test.40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Lakens, D.: 2022, Improving your statistical inferences, https://lakens.github.io/statistical_inferences/,
  • Rajiv S. Jhangiani: 2019, Research Methods in Psychology, https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e, 1085976920
  • Poldrack, R.: 2019, Statistical Thinking for the 21st century, https://statsthinking21.github.io/statsthinking21-core-site/,
  • A.J. Shepherd: 2022, Critical Analysis in Experimental Psychology: The Essential Guide to Int Errogating Published Research, 1e, 0335249892
  • Field A.: 2018, Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS, 5th, SAGE, London, 9781526419521
  • Darren George,Paul Mallery: 2021, IBM SPSS Statistics 27 Step by Step, Routledge, 9781003205333
  • HARRIS,Matthew J. Easterbrook,Jessica S. Horst: 2021, Designing and Reporting Experiments in Psychology, 3rd, Open University Press, 0335245951
  • Barbara G. Tabachnick,Linda S. Fidell,Jodie B. Ullman: 2019, Using Multivariate Statistics, Pearson, 9780134790541
  • Julie Pallant: 2020, SPSS Survival Manual, 5th, Open University Press, 0335249493
  • Dr Peter Allen,Kellie Bennett,Dr Brody Heritage: 2018, SPSS Statistics: A Practical Guide with Student Resource Access 12 Months, 4th, Cengage AU, 9780170421140
  • Cohen, B.H.: 2008, Explaining psychological statistics, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 9780470007181
  • Creswell, J. W.: 2008, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches, 3rd, Sage., London,
  • Shaughnessy, J.: 2012, Research Methods in Psychology, 9th, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • Sternberg, R. J. & Sternberg, K.: 2010, The Psychologist’s Companion: a guide to writing scientific papers for students and researchers., 5th, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 0521144825
Other Resources

None
Readings will be supplemented by items such as journal articles, readers in psychology, and material prepared for lectures and practical sessions.

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