Module: Advanced Psychological Research Methods

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Advanced Psychological Research Methods
Module Code	PSYC516
School	37
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Catherine Fassbender Semester 2: Catherine Fassbender Autumn: Catherine Fassbender
Module Teachers	Catherine Fassbender
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

This module will provide students with an understanding of advanced qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods appropriate to psychological and behavioural sciences research. Through this module, students will acquire practical data analytic skills, with a focus on both qualitative and quantitative data. In relation to quantitative data analysis, the module will cover when and how to use a range of univariate and multivariate statistical procedures, how to report the results of these analyses, and how to interpret the findings. Students will also gain valuable research communication and dissemination skills - including oral and written formats.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate critical awareness of key qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods
2. Demonstrate skilled analysis of data (both qualitative and quantitative) and interpretation of statistical tests.
3. Evaluate advances and current trends in research design and analysis.
4. Evaluate and review empirical research.
5. Clearly disseminate research findings in written and oral formats.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	On Campus delivered lectures on specific topics
Laboratory	28	Practical classes linked to lectures and completion of CAs including data collection, analysis and interpretation of findings – on campus delivered
Seminars	10	Reviewing and interpreting empirical research – on campus and online remote discussion
Fieldwork	20	Lecture review, pre- and post-practical session work, completion of directed reading
Assignment Completion	150	No Description
Independent Study	30	No Description
Total Workload: 250

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

Indicative content
• Advanced information literacy skills • Research methods and design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) • Qualitative methodology (e.g. action research, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study) • Approaches to qualitative data collection (e.g. interview, focus groups, observation) • Approaches to qualitative analysis (e.g. content and thematic analysis, IPA, narrative analysis) • Experimental and correlational design • Designing and evaluating interventions • Univariate and bivariate techniques (e.g. Within- and between-group t-tests and ANOVA, non-parametric equivalents of each, factorial ANOVA; correlation and simple regression analysis) • Preparing for multivariate analysis (e.g. examining your data, missing data analysis, outliers, assumptions, data transformation) • Dependence techniques (e.g. multiple regression analysis, logistic regression, multivariate analysis of variance) • Interdependence techniques (e.g. factor analysis) • Secondary data analysis • Knowledge translation • Ethical and professional issues • Advanced research reporting and communication skills. • Attendance at specific workshops held during the Wellbeing Spring School

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Presentation	Students will present on a topic relevant to the module. Details will be provided by the module coordinator.	20%	n/a
Report(s)	Students will complete a specified practical exercise(s), analyse and interpret qualitative data and write this up as a concise practical report	40%	n/a
Report(s)	Students will complete a specified practical exercise(s), analyse and interpret quantitative data and write this up as a concise practical report	40%	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

Field, A.: 2018, Discovering statistics using SPSS, (5th ed).,, Sage, London,
Brace, N., Kemp, R., & Snelgar, R.: 2016, IBM SPSS for Psychologists: And Everybody Else (6th ed.)., Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge.,
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S.: 2013, Using Multivariate Statistics, 6th, Pearson, UK,
Braun, V. & Clarke, C.: 2013, Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners., London: Sage.,
Willig, C.: 2012, Qualitative interpretation and analysis in psychology, Open University Press, 978-033524141
Willig, C., & Rogers, W. S. (Eds.)..: 2017, (2017). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology., Sage,
Gray, D. E.: 2018, Doing Research in the Real World, Sage, London,
White, P.: 2017, Developing Research Questions: A guide for social scientists, 2nd, Palgrave McMillan, Basingstoke,
Pallant, J: 2013, SPSS Survival Manual, 6th, McGraw-Hill Education, UK,
Rasch, D., Kubinger, K. D., Yanagida, T.: 2012, Statistics in Psychology Using R and SPSS,, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ,,
Charmaz, K.: 2014, Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis,, SAGE London, UK,
Cozby, P.C.: 2012, Methods in Behavioral Research,, 11th, Mc-Graw Hill London, UK,
Morgan, D. L., & Morgan, R. K. ,: 2009, Single-case research methods for the behavioral and health sciences,, SAGE London, UK Morse,
Wood, C., Giles, D. & Percy, C.: 2012, Your Psychology Project Handbook: Becoming a researcher, 2nd edition., London: Pearson.,
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B.: 2016, Research methods for the behavioral sciences (5th ed.). Stamford CT: Cengage,
Harris, P.: 0, Designing and Reporting Experiments in Psychology (3rd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.,
Orna, L, Stevens, G.: 2009, Managing information for research (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.,
Silverman, David: 2020, Interpreting qualitative data, 6th, SAGE, Los Angeles, 978-152646724
Breakwell, Glynis M.; Wright, Daniel B; Smith, Jonathan A: 2012, Research methods in psychology, 4th, SAGE, London,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

MPW	MSc in Psychology and Wellbeing

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