Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module is designed to ensure that graduate students master both the theory and the practice of conducting a systematic review of a specialist applied topic directly related to their studies. Students will be expected to identify, in consultation with their academic supervisor, a topic for systematic review and to conduct the review over the course of this module. The module will require that students attend a range of seminars and workshops designed to support them in identifying and selecting a topic and in the process of conducting the systematic review to publishable standards. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Articulate the goals, principles and methods of conducting a systematic review 2. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the need for evidenced-based practice in the field of psychology and related disciplines through the process of formulating a review question and writing a review protocol. 3. Search for and identify relevant primary studies 4. Demonstrate the ability to appraise and integrate published data in a synthesis of published studies 5. Demonstrate competency in interpreting and presenting the results of the review findings in a report or monograph format. 6. Critically evaluate published literature reviews and demonstrate ability to identify the potential relevance of newly emerging research findings to their own research and/or area of psychological practice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
Indicative Content • Attendance at School-based seminars/workshops covering topics such as: • Evidenced-based practice in psychology and related disciplines. • Introduction to research synthesis, meta-analysis and systematic reviews. • Formulating a review question • Preparing and writing a review protocol (Cochrane protocol format) • Developing a detailed search strategy • Finding, screening and selecting primary studies • Quality Assessment: overview and methods • Risk of bias (e.g. publication bias, p-hacking & questionable research practices, awareness of importance of statistical power, sample size, multiple comparisons etc.). • Data extraction • Data synthesis (narrative, qualitative and quantitative) and data interpretation • Writing a systematic review • Verified completion of library and web-based training. • Identification of an appropriate systematic review topic, undertaken in consultation with an academic supervisor and the module coordinator. • Specified learning activities (preparing and writing a review protocol, developing a detailed search strategy, finding, screening and selecting primary studies, quality assessment, data extraction, data synthesis and data interpretation, writing a systematic review) undertaken in consultation with an academic supervisor. • Presentation of review findings to peers (in-house and, where practical, at national/international conferences). • Maintenance of a Review Portfolio – documenting progression though the systematic review process and reflection on lessons learned for future professional practice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Resources
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