The purpose of the module is to familiarise students with the scientific approach to the study of human behaviour and cognition.

Through example-based learning, students will be introduced to the principles of research design within the field of psychology.  Students will also learn about the application of these methods to the understanding of human behaviour.

Students will learn to distinguish the characteristics of “good” and “bad” science.

Students will also develop a familiarity with modern methods of scientific communication: presentations, journal articles and blogs.

1.    Describe situations in which psychologists make use of research to answer questions and further our understanding.

2.    Provide examples of contemporary psychological research being conducted in the School of Psychology.

3.    Describe and evaluate the processes involved in carrying out psychology research from research question, through hypothesis and experimental design, to results and interpretation.

4.    To understand the role of experimental method, research design and statistics in psychology.

5.    To understand that there are few facts in science and that it is through experimentation that we build and refine theories in psychology.

6.    To appreciate the dynamic nature of psychological theory and research and the fact that there are many issues on which psychologist disagree.

The module will be delivered via lectures, practical activities, and small group instruction and discussion.

Intellectual Skills:

7.    To critically evaluate in a concise fashion research methodologies and research findings.

8.    To suggest methods for investigating hypotheses within particular areas of psychology.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

9.    To apply their psychological knowledge from other modules on the course to a range of practical situations.

10.   To discuss the limitations and constraints of psychological research.

Transferable (Employability) Skills:

11.    To see the potential for practical applications that is inherent in scientific findings.

12.    To demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise information.

13.    To critically evaluate evidence and sustain a logical argument.

14.    To use web-based discussion boards and blogs to summarise and articulate arguments about psychological theory and research.       

Assessment will take the form of an end-of-module examination.

The potential for reassessment in this module
Reassessment will take the same form as the original assessment

Various contemporary research topics in psychology covering theory, hypothesis generation, experimental design, interpretation of results and evaluation of research.