Module: Advanced Psychological Research Methods

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced Psychological Research Methods
Module Code	PSY1070 (ITS: PSYC516)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

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	Lectures on specific topics
Laboratory	24	Practical classes linked to lectures and completion of CAs including data collection, analysis and interpretation of findings.
Seminars	12	Seminars will focus on reviewing and interpreting empirical research
Fieldwork	24	Completion of directed reading and formative assessment
Assignment Completion	150	No Description
Independent Study	28	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11498	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aoife Fitzpatrick	Module Teacher	Richard Lombard Vance, Sinead Smyth

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Students will complete a specified practical exercise, analyse and interpret qualitative data and write this up as a full practical report	40%	n/a
Report(s)	Students will complete a specified practical exercise, analyse and interpret quantitative data and write this up as a full practical report	40%	n/a
Presentation	Students will present on the preliminary findings of their independent research project.	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Field, A.: 2018, Discovering statistics using SPSS, (5th ed).,, Sage, London,
Willig, C.: 2012, Qualitative interpretation and analysis in psychology, Open University Press, 978-033524141
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,
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S.: 2013, Using Multivariate Statistics, 6th, Pearson, UK,
Pallant, J: 2013, SPSS Survival Manual, 6th, McGraw-Hill Education, UK,
Darlington, R. B., & Hayes, A. F.: 2016, Regression analysis and linear models: Concepts, applications, and implementation., Guilford Publications., 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,
Willig, C., & Rogers, W. S. (Eds.)..: 2017, (2017). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology., Sage,
Wood, C., Giles, D. & Percy, C.: 2012, Your Psychology Project Handbook: Becoming a researcher, 2nd edition., London: Pearson.,
Brace, N., Kemp, R., & Snelgar, R.: 2016, IBM SPSS for Psychologists: And Everybody Else (6th ed.)., Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge.,
Braun, V. & Clarke, C.: 2013, Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners., London: Sage.,
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.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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