PS4A1     
Methods for Social Psychology Research: Fundamental Qualitative and Fundamental Quantitative Methods

This information is for the 2013/14 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Caroline Howarth STC.374

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Health, Community and Development, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology and MSc in Social and Public Communication. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

A full unit of methods training is compulsory for students taking the above named programmes. Students take either PS4A1/2/3/4 depending on their level of knowledge and experience with methods.

Course content

This is for MSc students in ISP will no background in research methodology. This shall provide them with an overview of methodological issues for Social Psychological research as well as an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative methods. The course as a whole will equip them with methodological skills that will enable them to conduct empirical research for their MSc Dissertation and possibly research after the MSc.

Teaching

The course consists of 10 hours of in-house ISP teaching and two half unit course options provided by the LSE Methodology Institute (MY) during MT and LT. • PS4AA - ISP in-house research methods lectures in MT (10 hours) and ISP in-house fortnightly methods workshops in LT and ST (20 hours) • MY421 Qualitative Research Methods (MT) • MY451 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (MT)

Formative coursework

Students will follow the formative work requirements on the MY course(s) that they take under each stream.

Indicative reading

Bauer, M. and Gaskell, G. (2000) Qualitative researching with text, image and sound - a practical handbook London, Sage Breakwell, G. Foot, H. and Gilmour. (1988) Doing Social Psychology: Laboratory and Field Exercises. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Miell, D. and Wetherwell, M. (1998) Doing Social Psychology. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Assessment

Other (100%) in the MT, LT and ST.

Students will be assessed according to the elements of teaching that they take on this course (see ‘teaching’ information provided).

Key facts

Department: Social Psychology

Total students 2012/13: 66

Average class size 2012/13: 4

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills