Overview

Topics to be covered include: parametric and non-parametric tests of association and tests of difference, reporting research and interpreting findings. There are two components to your module. Each week during the semester there will be a two hour lecture to introduce a topic. To support this lecture, there will be a two hour seminar every other week where you will gain hands-on experience of research in psychology. The sessions involve discussions about a range of issues in experimental methods and statistics along with the opportunity to collect and manipulate data. Some of the activities will include considering ethical issues in research, devising research studies on selected themes, undertaking data collection and analyses, using electronic tools and hand calculations to describe and analyse data. You will also learn how to communicate the results of research in written reports. Each student should expect to complete 200 hours of work for this module across the semester (including scheduled classes, independent research, and completing assignments).

For reading list, please refer the BlackBoard site for this module. https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/ultra/courses/_110192_1/cl/outline

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold D- to D+Knowledge of key principles only. Many errors and weaknesses in terms of presentation and accuracy.A little understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Little use of evidence to support the points made.Arguments were presented in written assignments, but they did not flow, and there was no evidence of original interpretation nor critical thinking. Very little use of evidence to support the points made, and little evidence of additional reading.Relatively interesting and relevant research questions were presented, but lacked a firm understanding of research methods or psychological theory. No evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

-good -Good B- to B+Good presentation of strong knowledge about research methods and psychological theory in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.Good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Good use of evidence to support the points made.Good and logical development of critical arguments in written assignments, evidence of additional reading, and original interpretation. Good use of additional research, to support the points made.Good presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating a true understanding of research methods, and a good evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

-excellent -Excellent A- to A**Excellent presentation of comprehensive knowledge about research methods and psychological theory in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.Excellent understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Excellent use of evidence to support the points made.Excellent and logical development of critical arguments in written assignments, evidence of additional reading, and original interpretation. Excellent use of additional research to support the points made.Excellent presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating a true understanding of research methods, and an excellent evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

-another level-Satisfactory C- to C+Satisfactory presentation of knowledge about research methods and psychological theories in a relatively clear manner, but with a few inaccuracies.Satisfactory understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Satisfactory use of evidence to support the points made.Satisfactory development of critical arguments in written assignments, however the arguments presented lacked coherence.Very little evidence of additional reading.Satisfactory presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating some understanding of research methods and psychological theory, and a satisfactory evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Become proficient in using the statistical package SPSS: correctly inputting data, running the appropriate statistical analysis, and interpreting the output.

• Calculate and interpret descriptive statistical analysis

• Conduct a literature review

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of measurement, observation and experimental design as methodological techniques in psychology

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of statistics as used in psychological research

• Differentiate between the different experimental designs available for empirical research in psychology

• Experience data collection and manipulation with a variety of experimental techniques.

• Participate in discussions of research issues and findings

• Produce a well written research report that follows the guidelines of the APA