PS3015: METHODOLOGY A (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

Course Overview

The main aim of this course is to help students prepare, evaluate and run their own Psychological research. As such this is a ‘hands-on’ course, where students will have the opportunity to conduct a small research project and practice using SPSS for a variety of statistical analyses. The course also provides a thorough grounding in qualitative and quantitative research methods through a lecture series. Specific topics covered in this course include: verification and falsification of results; ANOVA and qualitative research strategies. This course also features workshops on employability, providing students with information on career planning, networking etc.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	First Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Bert Timmermans

Qualification Prerequisites

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Programme Level 3
Either PS2516 Advanced Psychology 2 - Methods and Applications (Passed) or PS2518 Advanced Psychology 2 - Methods and Applications (Passed)
Any Undergraduate Programme
Either PS2015 Advanced Psychology a - Concepts and Theory (Passed) or PS2017 Advanced Psychology a - Concepts and Theory (Passed)
Either PS2515 Advanced Psychology B - Concepts and Theory (Passed) or PS2517 Advanced Psychology B - Concepts and Theory (Passed)
Either PS2016 Advanced Psychology 1 - Methods and Applications (Passed) or PS2018 Advanced Psychology 1 - Methods and Applications (Passed)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course will impart the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out and evaluate psychological research using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

35% 35-question Multiple Choice Question "class test" in Week 12: open book, timed 1 hour (25 stats theory and 10 qual theory)

25% 5 Online SPSS Lab Assignments

35% Qualitative Group Report

5% SONA

Alternative Resit Arrangements for students taking course in Academic Year 2020/21

100% Coursework

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Factual	Understand	Attain knowledge of the general principles of psychological research and the most common elementary designs of qualitative analysis and statistical methods for use in practicals and research projects.
Procedural	Apply	Be able to plan, conduct, analyse, and report on qualitative and empirical studies conducted under the supervision of a member of staff.
Procedural	Apply	Have expertise in the operation of the statistical package SPSS for Windows in order to carry out the techniques and tests specified in ILO1.
Reflection	Create	Be able to work in groups and coordinate and plan group work.