PL1S129 - Introduction to Research Using Statistics in Psychology 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL1S129
Module Title: Introduction to Research Using Statistics in Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Shakiela Davies
Module Team: Amy Lewis, Charlotte Reynolds, N Michael, Dawn Latham, Leigh Webber, Jodie Trotman, Sarah Mcinnes
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To develop students’ knowledge and experience of research methods, statistics and report writing.

Content Summary

Students will develop their understanding of research methods; including experimental, observational and interview methods. Students will be introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology and will understand how and when these methods should be applied. These will include t-test, thematic analysis and non-parametric tests such as sign tests, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney. Students will also be taught how to design, conduct and analyse a small-scale research project. Engagement with the British Psychological Society’s code of ethics for research with human participants will form a key part of this module and students will be encouraged to think about how this applies to research as a whole as well as to the design of their own project.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 62
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 10
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Display understanding of research methods in psychology.
LO2 Be able to execute, understand and report on research in psychology.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Written Work 1 A research report based on a practical workshop activity 0 1500 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Introduction to Research Methods - a multiple choice class test 90 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Written Work 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

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

Coolican H. (2014). Research methods and statistics in psychology, (6th ed.), Psychology Press .

Harris, P. (2008). Designing and Reporting Experiments in psychology, (3rd ed.), OU Press, McGraw Hill Education.

Howitt D. & Cramer, D., (2017) Understanding Statistics in Psychology with SPSS, (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

Willig, C., (2013) Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology, (3rd ed.), OU Press, McGraw Hill Education.