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Research Project - PSY00044H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Katie Slocombe
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to facilitate students undertaking a novel research project in small groups (2-3 people) and then delivering an oral presentation of the project during an MSci conference day. Working in groups of 2-3 people, students will choose to tackle one of 15-20 suggested research questions, and be responsible for designing the study, completing ethics forms, data analysis plans, collecting data, analysing data and preparing and delivering a powerpoint presentation of the findings. Students will attend support seminars at critical stages to discuss and receive feedback on their plans from a member of faculty. This module builds on students Y1 and Y2 experience of miniprojects, but this project will be conducted in smaller groups, increasing individual responsibility, will be more ambitious in scope, cover novel topics and will culminate in an oral presentation (as opposed to a poster presentation). This module will develop research and data analysis skills, solidify theoretical understanding of the chosen topic and develop group-work and presentation skills. This module will help prepare students for their final year empirical project and provide individuals keen to apply for PhD positions in their final year with an assessed research project mark, which will make their applications more competitive.

Students will attend an introductory lecture, a how to present research findings lecture, in addition to three support seminars at critical stages (design, ethics and data analysis plans; data analysis; powerpoint slides) to discuss progress and plans with a member of faculty assigned to their group.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module you we be able to:

  • Conduct a literature search to gain a good understanding of the research area relevant to your chosen research question
  • Design a study that enables you to answer your research question to a high standard
  • Consider the ethical issues of conducting the research and complete a full ethics form
  • Prepare stimuli or questionnaires required to answer the research question
  • Collect data in a rigorous and professional manner
  • Analyse data in an appropriate manner and interpret findings accurately
  • Design a clear, informative, engaging set of powerpoint slides to explain your project
  • Deliver an oral presentation in an engaging and professional manner
  • Work efficiently and effectively with group members to complete the project

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Abstract		 N/A 30
Groupwork
Presentation		 N/A 70

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Abstract		 N/A 30

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback on their abstracts by W1 of the summer term

Students will receive written feedback on their group powerpoint slides and individual presentation skills by W1 of the summer term

Students will receive written feedback on any reassessments within 3 weeks of submitting the work.

Indicative reading

Slocombe, Katie; Levita, Liat (2011). All you ever wanted to know about research methods and academic skills. Harlow : Pearson

Field, Andy P. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics : and sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll. London : SAGE


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.