TS4S020 - Advanced Research Methods in Counselling Psychology 05 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: TS4S020
Module Title: Advanced Research Methods in Counselling Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Therapeutic Studies
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Learning in Education
Module Leader: Annie Beyer
Module Team: Shelley Gait, Rachel Davies, Anna Playle, Kirsty Richards
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100495 - counselling
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 05 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

To critically introduce students to the advanced principles of research and research methods in Counselling Psychology.

To support the development of students as critical users of evidence through the development of skills in critical evaluations of research and research methods.

To prepare students for undertaking research in the field of Counselling Psychology, with an emphasis on applied research methods.

Content Summary

Introduction to scientific methods utilised in Counselling Psychology research with an aim to develop advanced skills in research methods and practice.

Introduction to epistemology & ontology, scientific and naturalistic paradigms.

Quantitative methods – e.g. identifying scientific variables, Introduction to statistics, correlational designs, single-case designs, group designs.

Qualitative methods - e.g. interview and observational methods, thematic, narrative and discourse analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, introduction to grounded theory approaches.

Considerations of reliability, validity & rigour, strengths & weaknesses of quantitative & qualitative research design & methods.

Evaluating research evidence which informs professional practice, including evidence based practice, practice based evidence and outcome research.

Developing skills in conducting research including completing, writing, and presenting research proposals in counselling psychology

Research governance & ethical considerations in research

The ability to critique research papers with respect to counselling psychology practice.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 30
Independent Study 110
Directed Study 54
Groupwork 6
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Review and critically appraise the research methods and designs used in counselling psychology research
LO2 Demonstrate the critical application of the in- depth knowlegde, advanced research knowledge, and ethical awareness through the development and independent undertaking of a systematic literature review doctoral research proposal on a relevant topic to Counselling Psychology. 

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 Doctoral Thesis Research proposal 0 3000 50 No 50
Asynchronous Assessment Critique 1 A critical appraisal of research articles relevant to profession of Counselling Psychology 0 3000 50 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project 1
Critique 1

Reading List

Privitera, G. J. (2016). Research methods for the behavioural sciences (2nd Ed.). Los Angeles, California: Sage Publishing.

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American psychological association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Schweigert, W. A. (2012). Research methods in psychology: A handbook (3rd ed.). Lone Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.

Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2013) Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. Los Angeles: Sage Publishing.

Vossler, A. and Moller, N. (2015) The Counselling and Psychotherapy research handbook: A guide for counsellors and psychotherapists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.

McLeod, J. (2015) Doing research in counselling and psychotherapy. Los Angeles: Sage Publishing.

McLeod, J. (2011) Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy. London: Sage Publishing.

Bell, J. (2014) Doing your research project: A guide for first time researchers. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Wisdom, J. P., Cavaleri, M. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Green, C. A. (2012). Methodological Reporting in Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Health Services Research Articles. Health Services Research, 47(2), 721–745.

Yilmaz, K., 2013. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: Epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education, 48(2), pp.311-325.

British Journal of Psychology Research Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research: CPR

Psychotherapy Research

Cognitive Therapy Research

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Journal of Counseling Psychology

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology: Health & Well-Being

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

Counselling Psychology Review

Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology: Health & Well-Being