MSc in Research Methods in Psychology

Structure

The MSc runs for one academic year full-time or two years part time. Most of the lectures, seminars and workshops on the programme will be run in the first two terms, but you will be expected to pursue your studies beyond formal term times, particularly in respect of your research project. Lectures, seminars and workshops for the programme will be timetabled mainly for Mondays and Tuesdays, but you may occasionally be required to attend other seminars and workshops put on by the Department and College. You must take all the course-units listed in the syllabus.

Syllabus

The following syllabus, while indicative of the broad content of the course-units, is not a full and comprehensive account of all the topics to be covered under each heading. All courses include a strong practical component.

Planning and Evaluating Research (one course unit)

This course unit focuses on qualitative methods, critical analysis and research design. It aims to equip students with an understanding of the theory, analysis and application of qualitative methods for psychological research and to provide an understanding of, and the skills necessary for, research design within a psychological framework.
Topics will include the role and basis of qualitative and experimental approaches, interviewing and observational methods and analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, ethnographic and other 'non-experimental' methods of research in psychology, grounded theory, qualitative computer analysis, basic design concepts, survey research, new paradigms, and ethical and philosophical considerations. In addition, you produce several pieces of coursework including a constructive written critique of a research talk, emphasising methodological aspects.

Statistical Methods (one course-unit)

This course unit provides a brief revision of basic statistics, an understanding of a variety of key advanced statistical concepts and techniques used in quantitative research.
Topics will include inferential statistics, correlation, group comparisons, factor analysis, multiple regression, analysis of variance, MANOVA, ANCOVA, logistic analysis and regression, structural equation modelling, power calculations, and classical test theory.

Computer Use (half course-unit)

The half course unit involves practical computing sessions covering the implementation and application of the techniques outlined in the Statistical Methods course unit, using the SPSS package.

Theoretical Issues in Psychology (half course-unit)

This half course unit will acquaint students with the philosophical foundations of psychological knowledge, and allow them to evaluate how this knowledge relates to science as a whole. In addition, the course will provide an overview of different forms of psychological understanding and how these may be combined into an integrated view of human nature. Current controversies and methods will be explored to consider the limits of current psychological understanding. Topics will include: philosophy of science, rationalism and empiricism in philosophy; the development of psychological science; science vs. non-science; verifiability and falsifiability; subjectivity, intersubjectivity and objectivity; scope and limits of reductionism; current issues and controversies in psychology, differing levels of psychological explanation, introduction to formal logic.

Research Project (one course-unit)

An empirical piece of research leading to a research project, supervised or co-supervised by a member of the lecturing staff in the Department. The project will provide invaluable, practical 'hands-on' experience of evaluating a particular research question. You have the opportunity to set your research question, determine and apply the methods to obtain the answers, and present, discuss and interpret the results. You normally start your project in the second term, together with necessary literature reviews and research design. Work on your project will continue full-time following the formal examinations in May up until its submission in mid-September.

Additional workshops and seminars

You will also be required to attend some of the Department's programme of Invited Speakers talks given by distinguished academics in psychology, and to produce a written critique on one of these. The Department also offers other seminar series hosted by eminent academics and practitioners which students are welcome to attend.

College Research Training Courses

You will also be required to attend various short generic research skills and methods training courses run by the College. These are typically based around 1 to 2 hour sessions which are run throughout the year on various days. Evening sessions are generally available.