Studying at York
Research Methods in Psychology I - PSY00001C
- Department: Psychology
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module will equip you with skills required for the effective study of psychology. Some of these skills are practical ones, such as computer skills and presenting results of experiments, whilst others are more conceptual, for example on how best to structure an essay or to critique a scientific paper. The later part of this module provides an introduction to experimental design, data and statistics in psychology. Students will gain theoretical understanding of basic statistical concepts and tests as well as experience using statistical packages.
Module learning outcomes
- show an ability to find, read, summarize and critique scientific papers
- demonstrate skills in planning, writing and presenting essays, reports and presentations in Psychology
- be able to understand the basic concepts in experimental design
-
demonstrate an understanding of the importance and relevance of data analysis in experimental psychology
-
understand the different types of experiment, data and tests used in experimental psychology
- understand and evaluate qualitative methods
- show proficiency in using excel or SPSS to compute: summary statistics; z-scores; chi square; binomial tests; parametric and non-parametric comparisons of two means (between and within subjects).
-
·be able to select and provide a rationale for using a statistical test to analyse a particular datasets
present results from statistical tests correctly in both graphical and text form
Module content
In the first two teaching blocks we equip you with the skills you need for degree level study, including critical thinking, how to write essays and practical reports, and use of excel and word computer software. In addition we cover the basics of experimental design and descriptive statistics. In the last two teaching blocks we concentrate more on experimental design, data and statistics in psychology, including the use of statistical software. We are aware that statistics is an area many students feel nervous about: we do not assume any maths knowledge above GCSE level and we aim to support all our students to graduate happy and confident dealing with data.
- TB1: Introduction to RM 1: Research, Reports & Descriptive Statistics
- TB2: Critical Analysis, Essay writing, The Bell Curve & Percentiles
- TB3: Introduction to inferential statistics: types of data, z-scores, statistical tests for nominal data
- TB4: T-tests and non-parametric equivalent tests, disseminating research findings & qualitative research
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 30 |
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable | 10 |
| Essay/coursework | 5 |
| Essay/coursework | 5 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 30 |
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
Module feedback
The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.
Students will meet supervisors in wk 5 in AuT, SpT and wk 9 in SuT to discuss their marks.
Formative feedback will be provided to students on Autumn term practical reports and several items of work contributing to the portfolio (e.g. essay plan and results/discussion section)
Indicative reading
We have a custom made textbook to support key study skills throughout your degree: Slocombe, Katie (2010). All you ever wanted to know about research methods and academic skills. Pearson.
In Year 1 we recommend reading about the topics covered in Dancey, Christine P. (2007). Statistics without maths for psychology. Pearson Prentice Hall, as a gentle introduction to statistics used in Psychology.