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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Research Methods 1
Module Code NS126
School School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Lorraine Boran
Semester 2: Lorraine Boran
Autumn: Lorraine Boran
Module TeacherLorraine Boran
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This year-long module will introduce students to the most common quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, designs and analytical techniques in psychology. It will also introduce students to basic statistical tests, their appropriate usage and how to compute them using the SPSS statistical package. A heavy emphasis will be placed on developing and supporting statistical reasoning skills through laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises. The content of practical sessions in this module will be informed by other core psychology modules which are taken at the same time as this module throughout year 1. Each practical will also facilitate the student’s understanding of an analytical technique.

Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss ethical issues in undertaking psychological research
2. Describe basic qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods, and assess their strengths and limitations
3. Be aware of qualitative analytical techniques such as content and thematic analysis
4. Formulate an independent group design and a within group design
5. Describe, conduct and interpret basic descriptive statistics such as central tendency and variance
6. Describe statistical concepts such as the normal distribution, probability, sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing
7. Describe, conduct and interpret inferential statistics
8. Construct confidence intervals
9. Use SPSS to perform statistical tests
10. Write practical reports that outline the rationale, method, analysis, interpretation of findings and subsequent conclusions
11. Use library and online psychology resources effectively



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture48Introduction to statistical and probability concepts and reasoning skills - theories, methods and tests
Laboratory48Statistical reasoning skills are supported using learning activities, including conducting experiments and analyzing data sets
Independent learning114Write up of practicals, becoming familiar with statistical concepts and research methods, identifying and critiquing key readings, report preparation
Independent learning36Preparing for in-class exams
Examination4In Class Examination
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction – the scientific approach in psychology.
Accessing and effectively using library and online resources in psychology.

Report writing.
Research ethics.

Research methods.
Qualitative methods.

Interviewing.
Focus groups.

Thematic analysis.
Content analysis.

Rigour in research.
Research Design.

Observational design.
Quasi-experimental design: Survey.

Experimental vs Correlational design.
Correlational design.

Introduction to experimental design.
Within- and between-subject design.

Variables and levels of measurement.
Describing and exploring Data using graphs.

Descriptive statistics – measures of central tendency & dispersion.
Distributions.

Confidence intervals.
Hypothesis testing.

Inferential statistics (tests of difference and association for two conditions) e.g. Parametric and non-parametric statistics.
Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Report (s) (written / oral)Write up of four (4) practical reports (2 reports per semester)60%As required
In Class TestCompletion of four (4) Statistical and Research Method tests (2 in-unit tests per semester)40%As required
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Glynis M Breakwell (Editor), Sean Martin Hammond (Editor), Chris Fife-Schaw (Editor), Jonathan Smith (Editor): 2012, Research Methods in Psychology, 4th, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9780857022646
  • Barry H. Cohen: 2008, Explaining psychological statistics, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 9780470007181
  • Andy Field: 2009, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 3rd, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9781847879066
  • Frederick J Gravetter, Larry B. Wallnau,: 2012, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 9th, Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont: CA, 9781111830991
  • John Shaughnessy, Eugene Zechmeister, Jeanne Zechmeister,: 2011, Research Methods In Psychology, 9th, McGraw-Hill Publishing, New York, 9780078035180
  • Carla Willig: 2008, Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and method, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 9780335221158
  • American Psychological Association,: 2009, Concise Rules of APA Style, 6th, Eurospan University Press, London, 9781433805608
  • Nicola Brace, Richard Kemp, Rosemary Snelgar: 2009, SPSS for psychologists, 4th, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 9780230594593
  • Paul Cozby, Scott Bates,: 2012, Methods in Behavioral Research, 11th, McGraw Hill, London, 9780078035159
  • Martyn Denscombe,: 2010, The Good Research Guide, 3rd, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 9780335241385
  • Dana S. Dunn,: 2009, The Practical Researcher, 2nd, Wiley Blackwell, Chichester, 9781405168854
  • Uwe Flick,: 2009, An Introduction to Qualitative Research, 4th Ed, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9781847873231
  • Peter Harris: 2008, Designing and reporting experiments in psychology, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 9780335221783
  • Hinkle, D. E., Wiersma, W., & Jurs, S. G: 2009, Applied statistics for the behavioral sciences: International Edition, 5th, Wadsworth, Belmont, 9780495808855
  • Richard A. Krueger, Mary Anne Casey,: 2000, Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research, 3rd, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9781412969475
  • Paul S. Levy,... [et al.]: 2009, Solutions manual to accompany sampling of populations, 4th, John Wiley, Hobokrn, N.J., 9780470401019
  • David S. Moore, George P. McCabe, Bruce Craig,: 2009, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics & CD-Rom, W.H.Freeman & Co, New York, 9781429286640
  • Paul Oliver: 2010, The student's guide to research ethics, Open University Press, Maidenhead, Berkshire, 9780335237975
  • Julie Pallant,: 2010, SPSS Survival Manual, 3rd, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 9780335242399
  • David Silverman,: 2011, Interpreting Qualitative Data, 4th Ed, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9780857024213
  • Professor Jonathan A Smith (Editor): 2008, Qualitative Psychology, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9781412930833
  • Dr Daniel B Wright, Kamala London,: 2009, First (and Second) Steps in Statistics, 2nd Ed, SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 9781412911429
Other Resources
None
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
BPYBSc (Honours) in Psychology
Timetable this semester: Timetable for NS126
Date of Last Revision24-MAY-11
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