Studying at York
Empirical Dissertation - EDU00076M
Related modules
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 to Summer Semester 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module aims to support students in designing and executing an empirical psychological study that is of interest to them, and in writing a report of their study in APA style. In the course of this module students will have the opportunity to put much of their psychological knowledge and skills into practice and, potentially, to make an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen area.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
The knowledge and skills required for this module is taught in Autumn and Spring term modules. In addition students will be tutored by supervisors in knowledge and skills that are specific to their individual research question. Students will also be offered dissertation workshops which cover study design, ethical approval, data collection, and extended academic writing.
By the end of the module students will have developed:
- Expertise in conducting an in-depth literature review to address what it currently known about a question of their choice.
- Experience in study development and design.
- Knowledge and experience of the ethical approval process.
- New knowledge of data collection techniques and awareness of issues in real-world research.
- Expertise in choosing the most appropriate form of analysis and interpreting results.
- An enhanced ability to consider alternative interpretations of findings.
- Academic writing skills
Academic and graduate skills
Students will develop their skills in:
- Focused literature search and reviewing
- Research design
- Considering ethical issues and applying for ethical approval
- Selection or design of measurement tools
- Data collection
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Academic writing
- Reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of their study
- Identifying implications for education and/or further research
Module content
Teaching on the module involves Q&A sessions orienting students to the module, dissertation workshops to support them throughout the dissertation process and meetings with their dissertation supervisor. In Semester 1 students will have an opportunity to select a research topic for their dissertation from topics they will be provided with or propose their own topic.
The schedule of the activities and milestones for dissertation work is listed below:
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MSc dissertation Q&A for students - Semester 1 Week 4.
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MSc dissertation Workshop 1 (Research Questions) - Semester 1 Week 5.
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MSc dissertation topic options released to students - Semester 1 Week 7.
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MSc dissertation Workshop 2 (Research ethics) - Semester 1 Week 7.
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MSc dissertation Q&A for students - Semester 1 Week 8.
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Students submit topic preferences - Semester 1 Week 9.
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Supervision 1 - Semester 1 Week 11 - Students meet with allocated supervisors to specify their dissertation focus.
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Ethics application submission form sent to students - Semester 2 Week 1.
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Supervision 2 - Semester 2 Week 1 - Ensuring student(s) are prepared for ethics application submission.
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Ethics application submissions due - Semester 2 Week 3 (then students work on their literature review or prepare for data collection).
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MSc dissertation Workshop 3 (Writing introduction and literature review) - Semester 2 Week 4.
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Supervision 3 - Semester 2 Week 6 - Students make amendments to their ethics applications if necessary, plan data collection.
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Supervision 4 - Semester 2 Weeks 8-9 - Discussing progress with data collection and providing feedback on drafts of literature review or methods if applicable.
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MSc dissertation Workshop 4 (Data Analysis) - Semester 2 Week 10.
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Supervision 5 - Semester 2 Week 11 - Discussing progress with data collection and providing feedback on drafts of methods or literature review if applicable.
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Supervisions 6-8 - Summer Semester - three meetings over the summer discussing results, discussion and feedback on drafts provided if applicable.
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Final written feedback on drafts provided by supervisors - three weeks before MSc dissertation submission deadline.
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MSc dissertation submission deadline in September.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 |
Module feedback
Individual written feedback reports with follow-up tutor discussion if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.
Indicative reading
Bloomberg, L. D., & Volpe, M. (2018). Completing your qualitative dissertation: A road map from beginning to end. London, UK: Sage.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. London, UK: Sage.
Wood, C., Percy, C. & Giles, D. (2012). Your Psychology Project Handbook. London, UK: Pearson.
Fallon, M. (2016). Writing up quantitative research in the social and behavioral sciences. Boston, MA: Sense Publishers.
Hatcher, L. (2013). Advanced statistics in research: Reading, understanding, and writing up data analysis results. Shadow Finch Media, LLC.