PL2D118 - Finding Things Out: Approaches to Psychological Investigation 01 Dec 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL2D118
Module Title: Finding Things Out: Approaches to Psychological Investigation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Hayley Gibbon
Module Team: Dan Bowers, Alexis Jones, Kirsty Richards, Leigh Attwood, Karen Chamberlain, Andrea Mahoney
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Dec 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To provide students with the opportunity to gain critical understanding and methodological skills necessary for psychological investigation.

Content Summary

The module will examine a range of methodological processes within the field of Psychology, allowing students to develop a clear and critical understanding of them. The module will include hands on experience with a number of methodological approaches as well as relevant equipment. This will include qualitative, physiological, implicit and observational measures and approaches. Students will also be exposed to advanced specialist content in an area of their choosing (from a specified list) which will provide a context for their methodological learning. The precise nature of these topics will change from year to year, depending on current themes and debates in the field. Formative assessment opportunities will allow students to see how different methodological approaches can be applied to a specific topic and will support students’ completion of summative assignment tasks.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 72
Independent Study 200
Directed Study 128
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically appraise core psychological methodologies
LO2 Evaluate specialist research areas with reference to the appropriateness of specific methodologies

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 A reflection of the student's learning from the process of preparing the proposal. 0 750 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A proposal for a research topic relevant to the problem/challenge set at the start of the module 0 4000 70 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Annotated Bibliography 1 Annotation of a bibliography relevant to the student's proposal topic 0 1200 20 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1
Annotated Bibliography 1

Reading List

Brace, N., Kemp, R. and Snelgar, R. (2016) IBM SPSS for Psychologists. Palgrave Macmillan: Hampshire.

BPS (2014) Code of Human Research Ethics (pdf). URL: http://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/inf180_web.pdf

Forshaw, M. (2013). Your Undergraduate Psychology Project: A Student Guide. BPS Blackwell.

Willig, C. (2013). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology Third Edition (UK Higher Education OUP Psychology)

Plus current journal articles as appropriate to theme/topic of study.