2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PSYC1037 Research Skills 2
20 creditsClass Size: 260
Module manager: Dr Richard Harris
Email: R.J.Harris@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisite qualifications
BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology programme entry requirementsModule replaces
PSYC1041 (Statistics B) and the content of PSYC1320 (Psychology Practicals B).This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module comprises three elements (lectures; practicals with seminars; computer-based learning classes) to aid learning of statistics and methodology relevant to psychologists.Objectives
This module aims to provide an overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of research in psychology.The module will be taught by a team of experts in the subject.
This module will build on the introduction to statistical techniques and report writing from Research Skills 1 (PSYC1036).
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to create, analyse, evaluate and report a series of introductory psychological investigations based on their knowledge of research methods and statistics.
More specifically they should be able to:
- Understand basic issues of experimental design;
- Understand the rationale, calculation and interpretation of a range of basic statistical procedures;
- Use the computer clusters and University network to participate in online learning exercises, assessments and simulated experiments;
- Use SPSS to enter and manipulate data and to conduct basic descriptive and inferential statistical procedures;
- Interpret analyses from SPSS and integrate the output into research reports;
- Write research reports in Psychology.
Knowledge of using SPSS; interpreting SPSS output; selecting, running and understanding higher-level statistical procedures and topics. Specifically, effect size and power; Type 1 and Type II errors; Correlation (simple, partial, semi-partial, point biserial); Outliers; Causation; Reliability & Validity; Regression; Mediation Analysis; One-Way Between-Subjects ANOVA; One-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA; 2-way ANOVA (between); interactions; 2-way ANOVA (within).
Skills outcomes
Research skills; critical skills; analytical skills; report-writing skills; SPSS knowledge.
Syllabus
This course builds on the first semester course, Research Skills 1. There are three main parts to the course: 10 lectures, 3 practicals and 7 CBL sessions (6 sessions will involve completion of a worksheet + 1 session (week 8) will involve completion of a SPSS assignment). Topics include: effect size and power; Type 1 and Type II errors;
Correlation (simple, partial, semi-partial, point biserial); Outliers; Causation; Reliability & Validity; Regression; Mediation Analysis; One-way Between-Subjects ANOVA; One-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA; 2-way ANOVA (between); 2-way ANOVA (within).
The lectures will be associated with three practical blocks that will each last a fortnight (1 week for the students to complete the assessment and 1 week for the assessments to be marked and second-marked). Each block comprises an independent online exercise which will provide SPSS training and a computer-based psychology practical in which students act as participants. Support for practicals will be provided by a postgraduate-led demonstrator group, and an assignment (2000 words long) will be completed. The practical blocks will be progressive in terms of the data analysis required and the aim is to provide students with the necessary skills to allow them to analyse and comment on the results from each computer-based practical exercise. The practical reports will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills that they have acquired and for their progress to be monitored.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
On-line Learning | 7 | 2.00 | 14.00 |
Lecture | 10 | 1.50 | 15.00 |
Practical | 3 | 2.00 | 6.00 |
Seminar | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
Independent online learning hours | 40.00 | ||
Private study hours | 122.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 38.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
3 hours reading per lecture (30 hours)3 x 15 hours preparation per assessed report (45 hours)
47 hours revision
Independent online learning:
10 x 4 hours independent online learning completing/checking answers to SPSS worksheets provided in CBL and practical sessions. These are designed to further develop SPSS skills/learning (40 hours)
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The module structure requires regular monitoring of student progress through submission of regular coursework, completion of SPSS assignment and regular attendance at CBL sessions, practical sessions and seminars.Students are required to pass the coursework component with an average mark of 40 across the items of coursework. If the coursework component is failed then the maximum mark that can be awarded for the module is 40 and an additional assessment must be attempted and passed.
Students are required to pass the examination component with a minimum mark of 40. If the examination component is failed then the maximum mark that can be awarded for the module is 40 and a resit must be attempted and passed in August.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Practical Report | Report 1: 2,000 words | 15.00 |
Practical Report | Report 2: 2,000 words | 15.00 |
Practical Report | Report 3: 2,000 words | 15.00 |
Assignment | SPSS Assignment | 15.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 |
Students are required to pass the coursework component with an average mark of 40 across the items of coursework. If the coursework component is failed then the maximum mark that can be awarded for the module is 40 and an additional assessment must be attempted and passed.
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 |
Students are required to pass the examination component with a minimum mark of 40. If the examination component is failed then the maximum mark that can be awarded for the module is 40 and a resit must be attempted and passed in August
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 03/05/2017
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