Module: Qualitative Research in Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Qualitative Research in Psychology
Module Code	PSY1112
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Psychology
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module develops students’ understanding of qualitative research in psychology and builds the skills needed to ethically collect, analyse, interpret, and communicate qualitative data to answer psychological research questions. A number of data collection and data analysis methods are explored, with a selection of methods examined in-depth. Using open research principles as a lens, students will learn to manage datasets, select appropriate analytic approaches, and conduct reflexive analyses using systematic and transparent workflows. Analytic work will be facilitated by computer aided qualitative data analysis software. Through their applied work with qualitative datasets, students will engage in data preparation, coding of data, identification of patterns in data, interpretation and writing up of findings, and will report findings in line with APA conventions. By the end of the module, students will be able to apply qualitative methods with confidence and present evidence-based conclusions clearly and rigorously.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how qualitative research is designed, conducted, and evaluated in psychology
2. Examine, and reflect on, the importance of ethical research practice, data management/stewardship, and open research practices in psychological research
3. Examine qualitative data collection and data analysis methods, and illustrate why a particular approach is appropriate for a particular research design
4. Apply qualitative analysis techniques to relevant study designs, using appropriate software
5. Communicate qualitative research processes and findings clearly and professionally using appropriate visual and written formats consistent with APA standards

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	45	Synchronous online classes and workshops
Online activity	60	Student-Staff and Student-Student interaction through online discussion forums and other media
Independent Study	270	Using self-directed learning module resources, textbooks, and other resources
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	12098	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	James Brunton	Module Teacher	Aoife McNicholl

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Research Paper	In assessment one, you will carry out data collection and analysis and produce a related research report. You will: design a qualitative interview, based on a provided topic; conduct an interview; prepare the interview data for analysis; analyse qualitative data using reflexive thematic analysis, and facilitated by appropriate software. You will submit a research report in APA format based on your work.	40%	n/a
Research Paper	In assessment two, you will contribute to data collection, analyse data, and produce a related research report. You will: act as a research participant in an anonymous story completion data completion; prepare story completion data provided to you for analysis; analyse story completion data using discursive psychology and facilitated by appropriate software. You will submit a research report in APA format based on your work.	30%	n/a
Research Paper	In assessment three, you will analyse secondary data and produce a related research report. You will: prepare secondary qualitative data provided to you for analysis; analyse this data using interpretative phenomenological analysis and facilitated by appropriate software. You will submit a research report in APA format based on your work.	30%	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

Qualitative research in psychology: An overview

Paradigms, methodologies and methods in qualitative research

An overview of data collection methods in qualitative research

Research methods focusing on human speech

Approaches to qualitative research analysis: Narrative analysis and ethnography

Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Practically managing a study: Reflexive thematic analysis of interview data

Spotlight on: Participant recruitment, quality in qualitative research

Collecting participant generated textual data

Approaches to qualitative research analysis: Grounded theory and conversation analysis

Discourse analysis and discursive psychology

Practically managing a study: A discursive psychology analysis of story completion data

Spotlight on: Qualitative research & social justice

Collecting pre-existing data

Approaches to qualitative research analysis: Action research and case studies

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)

Practically managing a study: An IPA study of open, secondary data

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Braun, V. & Clarke, V.: 2013, Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners., Sage, Los Angeles [ebook available through DCU],
A range of other readings are used, with these detailed in the module learning materials.: 0,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None