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Research Skills in Psychology

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
  • Convenor: Prof Jonathan Smith
  • Assessment: a 2400-2800-word qualitative mini project (75%) and one-hour online multiple-choice examination (25%)

Module description

In this module you will be taught the research skills required to produce a qualitative report using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, alongside the principles of two additional qualitative approaches: mixed methods research, and considerations of quality and validity in qualitative research.

You will conduct a mini project in small groups and thereby gain significant practical experience at all stages of an experimental project from research design to data collection and analysis, to the final stages of presenting and writing up a manuscript. We will highlight the importance of critical thinking by asking you to think about the broader implications of research findings, to interpret results and to compare theoretical approaches.

Indicative syllabus

  • Introduction to qualitative research in psychology
  • Introduction to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and interview schedule
  • IPA, ethics and interviewing
  • IPA analysis process
  • IPA analysis and write-up
  • Discourse analysis
  • Mixed methods
  • Reflexive thematic analysis
  • Quality in qualitative research and report writing
  • Open science

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • understand the rationale and principles of the qualitative paradigm
  • learn the core skills in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis data collection and analysis
  • understand a range of qualitative methods
  • carry out a mini qualitative project using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
  • understand ethics in research methods
  • evaluate the validity and quality of qualitative research
  • understand open science.