PL4D118 - Contemporary Debates and Methods in Psychology 01 Sep 2017 - 31 Aug 2023 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL4D118
Module Title: Contemporary Debates and Methods in Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology and Therapeutic Studies
Faculty Sub Group: Psychology
Module Leader: Biao Zeng
Module Team: Nicola Kazamia
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake: 2022
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2017
Valid To 31 Aug 2023

Module Aims

To develop a sophisticated critical appreciation of contemporary theoretical perspectives in Psychology.

To encourage advanced knowledge and confident execution of applied research methods in Psychology.

Content Summary

Key theories and debates in Psychology for example; contextualist theories (e.g. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, the biopsychosocial model of health), identity and social identity theories, positive psychological approaches and motivation for change.

Ethical and professional practice issues in Psychology; guidelines for research and practice with human participants, participant expectations and public perceptions of Psychology, autonomy and engagement in intervention.

Quantitative methods in applied Psychology; e.g. advanced correlational and factorial designs, survey, experimental and quasi-experimental methods, factor analysis and structural equation modelling, mediation and moderation, meta-analytic approaches.

Qualitative methods which can be used in “Applied Psychology” areas; e.g. interview and observational methods, thematic, narrative and discourse analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, introduction to grounded theory approaches.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 254
Directed Study 136
Formative Assessment - Independent 10
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically appraise key theories and debates in Psychology.
LO2 Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods in Psychology to a range of problems.
LO3 Evaluate the ethical and professional issues associated with psychological theory and research.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 A project proposal based on applying the different quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology. The proposal should focus on studying a relevant psychological issue or problem, state the theoretical background and include a literature review of related research, which must include a rationale and explanation of proposed data collection and analysis to be used. 0 6000 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 An essay evaluating theoretical perspectives, the methods used to test them and the ethical considerations involved in psychological research 0 3000 25 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Case Study (CW) 1 A case study examining and critically evaluating key psychological theories discussed in the module and applying them to a specific context 0 3000 25 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1
Essay (CW) 1
Case Study (CW) 1

Reading List

Banister, P. (2011). Qualitative Methods in Psychology: A Research Guide (2nd Edition). Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press

Coolican, H. (2014). Research Methods & Statistics in Psychology (6th Edition). London: Psychology Press

Tyson, P.J., Jones, D. & Elcock, J. (2011). Psychology in Social Context: Issues & Debates. Chichester: BPS Blackwell Books

Journals:

Annual Review of Psychology

International Perspective in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation

Journal of Applied Psychology

Websites:

The British Psychological Society – www.bps.org.uk

The American Psychological Association – www.apa.org