MEd Psychology of Education

This unit Research Principles & Practice (Semester 1) along with Research Analysis & Evaluation (Semester 2), provide coverage of the BPS syllabus core area of Research Methods. This unit covers a range an introduction to psychological research practices, design and analysis from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. These broadly include sessions on scientific practices in psychology research and research processes, introduction to experimental design, statistical approaches and hypothesis testing, qualitative design, analysis and interpretation, and ethical principles.

Within these units we help students develop an understanding of research principles, methods and processes that are involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of different types of data. We support students being able to design and plan their own research, leading up to their dissertation project, and provide them with the skills to design, plan and carry out their own independent research with scientific rigour.

The course unit is delivered over 9 sessions and using a variety of methods including lectures, tutorials, practical computer sessions, and independent research activities. 
 

The unit aims to provide coverage of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Syllabus core areas of:

• Research design & ethics
• Quantitative methods and analysis in psychology
• Qualitative methods and analysis in psychology

The module forms part of the MEd Psychology of Education programme and conforms to the QAA discipline benchmark for Psychology required for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Core knowledge is comparable to other Psychology degrees and therefore underpins further training for careers in the areas of applied psychology (e.g. Educational Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Health Psychologist, Occupational Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist etc). The content is specifically related to educational settings and as such immediately applicable to careers outside of the subject discipline (e.g. teaching, teaching assistants; SENCo; support workers).
 

• Scientific Practices in Psychology
• The Research Life Cycle
• Methods and Measurement
• Introduction to Quantitative Research Design and Variables
• Foundations for Statistical Hypothesis Testing
• Statistical Conclusions
• Foundations for Qualitative Inquiry
• Qualitative Analysis and Interpretation
• Being an Effective Researcher

Independent study is expected and supported by for example guided reading, independent reading, guided asynchronous activities, blog posts, and additional materials on the VLE and Reading Lists Online.

The blog posts contain links to other video materials (e.g., YouTube, lecture talks), further reading, optional reading, self-test quizzes. Lecture PowerPoint slides and additional resources are also available on the VLE.

Additionally, the unit make uses of electronic tools and digital platforms to provide further opportunities for student engagement.

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:

• Identify and critique the philosophical bases for making methodological choices
• Apply appropriate research methods to a chosen research question and prepare a proposal for undertaking such research.
• Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues and current codes of conduct

• Undertake independent learning and reflect upon achievements.
• Present information, ideas and arguments.

• Using electronic databases, accessing library facilities, word processing.
   

•  Independent study

Feedback will be available via blackboard.

Unit Feedback and Student Engagement

Student representation at both the programme and unit level plays an important role helping the quality of provision be upheld. MEd student representatives liaise between staff and students on matters of concern to either side; provide two-way feedback on the course and on teaching quality, and promote student involvement in course development. Student representatives participate in course review meetings (including a confidential meeting with external examiners) and feedback information from these meetings to other students.

At the end of each semester all students are asked to complete an on-line evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken.  This anonymous feedback is circulated to unit leaders and supports quality assurance.

Formative assessment and written feedback to students is a key feature of this unit. Students are provided with formative written feedback when marking has been completed

The list below indicates texts that will be directly useful for both Semester 1 Research Principles and Practice and Semester 2 Research Methods and Analysis.

These texts are useful as an introduction to the area and will take you through the most of the topics studied in the module.

The lecture content covers an introduction to conducting and evaluating research in psychology. It combines lecture format with a variety of methods including lectures, discussions, practical computer sessions, and independent research activities.

Specific research skills are taught to analyse and evaluate data, for example this how to use a software package such as SPSS to analyse statistical data. Research skills are taught to provide the foundation for planning and running an independent dissertation project first assessed by preparing a research proposal (unit assignment). Support is provided in session in terms of choosing a topic, planning and designed the approach and independent research and planning is encouraged. Time is reserved in relevant teaching sessions for students to seek advice and support for their learning or for the assignment.
General core conceptual and theoretical texts:

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
An introductory text for understanding the qualitative research process. Very practically oriented book, so you’ll need to look elsewhere to understand theoretical underpinnings, but it provides a lot of guidance and clear strategies for undertaking qualitative research. Available as an e-book via Reading Lists Online.

Haslam, S. A., & McGarty, C. (2019). Research methods and statistics in Psychology (3rd Edition). Sage.  
Provides students with a highly readable and comprehensive introduction to conducting research in psychology. Guides readers through the choices involved in methodological design and analysis. Available as an e-book via Reading Lists Online.

Meltzoff, J., & Cooper, H. (2018). Critical thinking about research: Psychology and related fields (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
This book provides a useful companion for approaching research critically. It explores how research methods and conclusions align, including how we can critically evaluate others’ research and consider planning robustly for our own research. Available as an e-book via Reading Lists Online.

Mertens, D. (2015). Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology (4th Edition). Sage.  
A great introductory reading on issues relating to research design in education.  Written in an accessible manner providing coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods. Several editions, the 4th has a great range of content.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications. 
A comprehensive textbook for qualitative methods. Clearly outlines theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foundations of qualitative inquiry and includes detailed guidance on each stage of the research process.

SPSS manuals:

Brace, N., Kemp, R. & Snelgar, R. (2016). SPSS for psychologists (and everybody else). Palgrave.
A basic “how to guide” for SPSS. Very practical and designed to introduce SPSS in an accessible yet rigorous way. Moves through an introduction to SPSS and data entry, to how to complete the statistical tests. Clear and accessible psychological examples and annotated screenshots.

Dancey, C., & Reidy, J. (2017). Statistics without maths for psychology (7th Edition). Pearson.  
Very similar to text above. Clear, straightforward approach to guide you through SPSS with illustrated examples. Available as an e-book via Reading Lists Online.

Psychological writing text:

Beins, B. C., & Beins, A. M. (2020). Effective Writing in Psychology. Papers, posters and presentations