Module: Research Methods & Statistics 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods & Statistics 2
Module Code	PSY1095 (ITS: PSYC207)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module builds on "Research Methods 1" / “Research Methods, Analysis and Practice” in year 1 and introduces students to more advanced quantitative and qualitative 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 journal articles through a number of student-led seminars which will focus on the review and critique of research articles

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss qualitative, quantitative and mixed method 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 aware of qualitative analytical techniques such as content and thematic analysis
5. Be proficient in identifying the limitations of specific methodologies and in understanding the relative merits of quantitative and qualitative approaches to an identified research question
6. Discuss ethical implications of a research design
7. Think critically about research and apply the skills involved in reviewing to understand the strengths and weaknesses of design, methods, analysis and conclusion
8. Use advanced searching skills to effectively use library and online psychology resources

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Introducing theories, methods, statistics
Laboratory	48	Practicals: Conducting and analysing experiments
Independent Study	138	Write up of practicals, becoming familiar with statistical concepts and research methods, identifying and critiquing key readings, report and exam preparation
Independent Study	36	Preparing for in-class exams
Directed learning	4	In-class Examination
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11612	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lisa Fitzgerald	Module Teacher	Lorraine Boran, Louise Hopper

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Write-up of two (2) practical reports (1 report per semester)	50%	Week 1
Assignment	Critique of two (2) Journal Articles (I critique/review per semester)	20%	Week 1
In Class Test	Completion of two (2) in-class statistical and research methods tests (1 in-unit tests per semester)	30%	Week 1

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

Advanced information literacy skills

Single-case design

Experimental design

Intervention studies

Randomised control studies

Mixed methods

Statistical power and effect size

One-way ANOVA

Repeated measures ANOVA

Mixed Factorial ANOVA

Non-parametric equivalent to ANOVA

Regression

Grounded theory

Phenomenology

Ethnography

Case study

Qualitative analysis using NVIVO computer software

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Field A.: 2009, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, SAGE, London,
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B.: 2012, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Wadsworth., Belmont, CA,
Harris, P.: 2008, Designing and reporting experiments in psychology, 3rd, Open University Press., Maidenhead,
Willig, C.: 2008, Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and method, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 9780335221158
Banyard, P., & Grayson, A.: 2000, ). Introducing psychological research: Seventy studies that shape psychology, 2nd, Palgrave, Basingstoke,
Brace, N., Kemp, R., & Snelgar, R.: 2015, SPSS for psychologists: A guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows, 5th, Palgrave Macmillan., Basingstoke,
Camis, P. M., Yardley, L. & Rhodes, J.E.: 2003, Qualitative Research in Psychology: expanding perspectives in methodology and design., APA, Washington DC,
Charmaz, K.: 2014, Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis., Sage, London,
Cohen, B.H.: 2008, Explaining psychological statistics, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 9780470007181
Cozby, P.C.: 2012, Methods in Behavioral Research, 11th, McGraw-Hill, London,
Creswell, J. W.: 2008, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches, 3rd, Sage., London,
De Leeuw, E., Hox, J. & Dillman, D. (Eds.).: 2008, International handbook of survey methodology, Psychology Press., London,
Field, A. & Hole, G.: 2003, How to design and report experiments, Sage Publications, 9780761973836
Flick, U.: 2009, An Introduction to Qualitative Research, 4th, Sage Publications, 9781847873231
Gomm, R.: 2008, Social research methodology: A critical introduction, 2nd, Palgrave Macmillan., Basingstoke,
Greene, J., & D’Oliveira, M.: 2006, Learning to use statistical tests in psychology, 3rd, Open University Press,
Haslam, S. A., & McGarty, C.: 2003, Research methods and statistics in psychology., London, UK & Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 0761942939
Hayes, N.: 2000, Doing psychological research: Gathering and analyzing data, Open University Press, Buckingham, 0335203795
Hinkle, D. E., Wiersma, W., & Jurs, S. G.: 2003, Applied statistics for the behavioral sciences, 5th, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass., 9780618124053
Howell, D. C.: 2012, Statistical Methods for Psychology, 8th Ed, Wadsworth, Hampshire, 1111840857
Moore, D.S., McCabe, G.P. & Craig, B.: 2012, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics & CD-Rom, W.H. Freeman & Co., New York, 9781429286640
Morse, J., Swanson, J. M., & Kuzel, A.J. (Eds): 2001, The nature of qualitative evidence, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage publications., 0761922849
Fred N. Kerlinger, Howard B. Lee: 2000, Foundations of behavioral research, Harcourt College Publishers, Fort Worth, TX, 9780155078970
Morgan, D. L., & Morgan, R. K.: 2009, Single-case research methods for the behavioral and health sciences, Sage, London, 9781412950398
Pallant, J.: 2013, SPSS Survival Manual, 5th, Open University Press, Maidenhead,
Shaughnessy, J.: 2012, Research Methods in Psychology, 9th, McGraw-Hill, New York,
Smith, J. A, Larkin, M., & Flowers, P.: 2009, Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research, Sage, London, 9781412908344
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
White, P.: 2008, Developing Research Questions, 9781403998156
Yin, R.K. (Ed): 2009, Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 4th, Sage, London, 9781412960991

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

Readings will be supplemented by items such as journal articles, readers in psychology, and material prepared for lectures and practical sessions.