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Module Specifications

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

Module Title Research Methods 2
Module Code NS217
School School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Sinead Smyth
Semester 2: Sinead Smyth
Autumn: Sinead Smyth
Module TeacherSinead Smyth
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module builds on “Research Methods, Analysis and Practice” in year 1 and introduces students to more advanced quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, designs and analytical techniques in psychology. It also introduces students to statistical tests such as univariate and factorial ANOVA, regression analysis, their appropriate usage and how to compute them using the SPSS statistical package. Practical experience through laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises will continue. This module will also promote the skills necessary to evaluate and critique journal articles through a number of student-led seminars which will focus on the review and critique of research articles

Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research designs and methods, and assess their strengths and limitations
2. Understand the principles of ANOVA and regression, appropriately carry out such analyses using SPSS and report statistical results in a manner consistent with standard report writing.
3. Identify the importance of power and effect size when carrying out any analysis
4. Be aware of qualitative analytical techniques such as content and thematic analysis
5. Be proficient in identifying the limitations of specific methodologies and in understanding the relative merits of quantitative and qualitative approaches to an identified research question
6. Discuss ethical implications of a research design
7. Think critically about research and apply the skills involved in reviewing to understand the strengths and weaknesses of design, methods, analysis and conclusion
8. Use advanced searching skills to effectively use library and online psychology resources



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Laboratory48Practicals
Independent learning138Write-up of practicals, becoming familiar with statistical concepts and research methods, identifying and critiquing key readings, report and exam preparation
Independent learning34Preparing for in-class exams
Examination6In-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
Advanced information literacy skills.
Single-case design.

Experimental design.
Intervention studies.

Randomised control studies.
Mixed methods.

Statistical power and effect size.
One-way ANOVA.

Repeated measures ANOVA.
ANOVA/ANCOVA.

Non-parametric equivalent to ANOVA.
Regression.

Grounded theory.
Phenomenology.

Ethnography.
Case study.

Qualitative analysis using NVIVO computer software.
Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Report (s) (written / oral)Write-up of two (2) practical reports (1 report per semester)50%n/a
AssignmentCritique of two (2) Journal Articles (I critique/review per semester)20%n/a
In Class TestCompletion of four (4) in-class statistical and research methods tests (2 in-unit tests per semester)30%n/a
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
  • Andy Field,: 2009, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 9781847879066
  • Frederick J. Gravetter, Larry B. Wallnau,: 2009, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 978-0495602941
  • Peter Harris: 2010, Designing and reporting experiments in psychology, 9780335221783
  • Carla Willig: 2008, Introducing qualitative research in psychology, 9780335221158
  • Philip Banyard, Andrew Grayson,: 2008, Introducing Psychological Research, 9781403900388
  • Nicola Brace, Richard Kemp, Rosemary Snelgar: 2009, SPSS for psychologists, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 9780230594593
  • Kathleen Charmaz: 2006, Constructing grounded theory, 0761973532
  • Barry H. Cohen: 2008, Explaining psychological statistics, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 9780470007181
  • Paul C. Cozby,: 2009, Methods in Behavioral Research, 9780071281027
  • John W. Creswell: 2009, Research design, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 9781412965569
  • [edited by] Edith D. de Leeuw, Joop J. Hox, Don A. Dillman: 2008, International handbook of survey methodology, L. Erlbaum Associates, New York, 9780805857535
  • Andy Field, Graham Hole: 2003, How to design and report experiments, 9780761973836
  • Uwe Flick,: 2009, An Introduction to Qualitative Research, 9781847873231
  • Roger Gomm: 2008, Social research methodology, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 978-0230224759
  • C. James Goodwin,: 2010, Research In Psychology, 9780470522783
  • Judith Greene and Manuela d''Oliveira: 2006, Learning to use statistical tests in psychology, 9780335216802
  • S. Alexander Haslam and Craig McGarty: 2003, Research methods and statistics in psychology, 0761942939
  • Nicky Hayes: 2000, Doing psychological research, Open University, Philadelphia, Pa., 0335203795
  • Dennis E. Hinkle, William Wiersma, Stephen G. Jurs: 2003, Applied statistics for the behavioral sciences, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass., 9780618124053
  • Fred N. Kerlinger, Howard B. Lee: 2000, Foundations of behavioral research, Harcourt College Publishers, Fort Worth, TX, 9780155078970
  • David S. Moore, George P. McCabe, Bruce Craig,: 2012, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics & CD-Rom, 9781429286640
  • David L. Morgan, Robin K. Morgan,: 2009, Single-Case Research Methods for the Behavioral and Health Sciences, 9781412950398
  • edited by Janice M. Morse, Janice M. Swanson, Anton J. Kuzel: 2001, The nature of qualitative evidence, 0761922849
  • Kazdan, A. E.: 2010, 2nd Ed, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 195341880
  • Julie Pallant,: 2010, SPSS Survival Manual, 9780335242399
  • Mr. Jonathan Smith, Dr Paul Flowers, Michael Larkin,: 2009, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 9781412908344
  • editors, Abbas Tashakkori, Charles Teddlie: 2003, Handbook of mixed methods in the social & behavioral research, 9780761920731
  • David J. Torgerson and Carole J. Torgerson: 2008, Designing randomised trials in health, education and the social sciences, 9780230537354
  • Patrick White,: 2008, Developing Research Questions, 9781403998156
  • Robert K. Yin (Editor): 2009, Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 9781412960991
  • Howell, D. C.: 2012, Statistical Methods for Psychology, 8th Ed, Wadsworth, Hampshire, 1111840857
  • Sternberg, R. J. & Sternberg, K.: 2010, The Psychologist''s Companion, 5th, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 0521144825
Other Resources
None
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Programme or List of Programmes
BPYBSc (Honours) in Psychology
Timetable this semester: Timetable for NS217
Date of Last Revision14-DEC-11
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