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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Advanced Psychological Research Methods
Module Code PSYC516 (ITS) / PSY1070 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorAoife Fitzpatrick
Module TeachersCatherine Fassbender, Lorraine Boran, Sinead Smyth
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
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.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12On Campus delivered lectures on specific topics
Laboratory28Practical classes linked to lectures and completion of CAs including data collection, analysis and interpretation of findings – on campus delivered
Seminars10Reviewing and interpreting empirical research – on campus and online remote discussion
Fieldwork20Lecture review, pre- and post-practical session work, completion of directed reading
Assignment Completion150No Description
Independent Study30No 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 Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PresentationStudents will present on a topic relevant to the module. Details will be provided by the module coordinator.20%n/a
Report(s)Students will be asked to complete a specified practical exercise. Students will conduct appropriate, requested data analysis on a provided quantitative dataset. Students will check data for violation of assumptions and complete any potential transformations, analyse and interpret quantitative data and write up a concise report of the findings (about 2,000 words). Will assess competency on Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, & 5.30%n/a
AssignmentStudents will be asked to outline an appropriate experimental design or analysis plan for a provided dataset. Will assess competency on Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, & 5. OR students will be provided with an SPSS output file and asked to interpret the output in detail Students will be asked to interpret and write up in APA format.10%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 (about 2,000 words). Will assess competency on Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, & 5.40%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

  • 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

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