2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MUSS5932M Empirical Research Techniques

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Anne-Marie Czajkowski
Email: a.l.czajkowski@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Admission to the MA Applied Psychology of Music, or PGDip or MA Music and Wellbeing Programme (this module is not available as an option for other programmes).

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module allows you to develop your understanding and application of quantitative and qualitative research techniques in the field of music psychology. Through a series of weekly lectures, seminars, independent and group tasks, you will consider and evaluate the ways in which empirical research can enhance our understanding of human minds and behaviour, and develop understanding of the range of analytical tools that can be used to explore music-psychological data. The module emphasises practical work and provides you with the opportunity to design, conduct, analyse and write-up two empirical projects which form your assessment. Whilst some prior experience of research methods and the data analysis software SPSS is an advantage, the course does not assume prior learning in these areas.This module is not optional and is only available to students studying on the MA Applied Psychology of Music and PGDip/MA Music and Wellbeing courses.

Objectives

This module allows you to develop your understanding and application of quantitative and qualitative research techniques in the field of music psychology. Through a series of weekly lectures, seminars, independent and group tasks, you will consider and evaluate the ways in which empirical research can enhance our understanding of human minds and behaviour, and develop understanding of the range of analytical tools that can be used to explore music-psychological data. The module emphasises practical work and provides you with the opportunity to design, conduct, analyse and write-up two empirical projects which form your assessment. Whilst some prior experience of research methods and the data analysis software SPSS is an advantage, the course does not assume prior learning in these areas.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Understand the contribution of empirical approaches for understanding the human mind, behaviour and the potential applications of research in this discipline
2. Use quantitative and qualitative research techniques effectively
3. Evaluate the uses of different research techniques in music psychological research
4. Design and implement independent projects utilising quantitative and qualitative research techniques
5. Analyse research data effectively in order to draw meaningful conclusions
6. Write up an empirical report in an appropriate, domain-specific style

Syllabus

This module allows you to develop your understanding and application of quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Through a series of lectures, seminars, independent and group tasks, you will consider and evaluate the ways in which empirical research can enhance our understanding of human minds and behaviour. The module will emphasise practical work and provides an opportunity for you to practice quantitative and qualitative research techniques hands-on, culminating in the submission of two small empirical projects. Students will be challenged to consider innovative ways of conducting music psychological research and to apply their knowledge about the domain more generally in order to identify its limitations and future direction.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	20	2.00	40.00
Tutorial	4	0.50	2.00
Private study hours			258.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Seminar preparation (practical work): 48 hours (2 hours per seminar/tutorial)
Related readings (context and techniques): 70 hours
Research design, implementation, analysis: 140 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Lectures take place in seminar/workshop format which have a practical focus. Each week students will prepare work (this may be to prepare writing on an epistemological approach, develop some interview questions, conducting and reporting an observation) which will be discussed in small groups and in plenary format which provides students with weekly opportunities to receive peer and lecturer feedback on their skills and understanding.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Empirical study using quantitative techniques (3600-4400 words)	50.00
Project	Empirical study using qualitative techniques (3600-4400 words)	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:43:22

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