PS4A5     
Methods for Social Psychology Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Bradley Franks QUE.3.05

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Health, Community and Development, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Psychology of Economic Life, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology and MSc in Social and Public Communication. This course is not available as an outside option.

All components of this course are compulsory for students taking MSc degree programmes in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science.

Course content

This course is for all MSc students' in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science.  It will: 1) provide an overview of methodological issues for Social Psychological research; 2) cover core skills in research design in Social Psychology; and 3) provide training in core Social Psychological methods of analysing quantitative and qualitative data. By the end of the course as a whole, students' will be equipped with methodological skills that will enable them to conduct empirical research for their MSc dissertation and possibly research after the MSc.

Teaching

All teaching takes place in the MT and LT.  The course has three components: 1) PS4AA which consists of 13 hours of lectures on methodological issues and research design, as preparation for completing the course, PS497 Dissertation; 2) MY421M Qualitative Research Methods; and 3) MY465 Intermediate Quantitative Analysis. There is also a series of non-compulsory and non-assessed specialist workshops in LT and ST on specific research methods that students can choose to attend for preparation of their dissertation.

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%).

PS4AA: Not assessed

MY421: 50% 3,000 word report (ST)

MY465: 50% unseen examination (ST)

Key facts

Department: Psychological and Behavioural Science

Total students 2016/17: 169

Average class size 2016/17: 15

Controlled access 2016/17: No

Lecture capture used 2016/17: Yes (MT & LT)

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