MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Course details

The unit begins with a review of qualitative and quantitative research methods to support you in developing applied forensic research questions and designing studies which can address these questions. The unit considers ethics as applied to forensic research to also support you in completing the ethical review process for your dissertation. Teaching considers evidence synthesis techniques, exploring meta-analysis and systematic reviews. The unit then explores how to conduct interviews and focus groups, offering practical experience of designing and delivering these techniques. The unit reviews issues related to questionnaire development. The unit moves on to furthering your skills in data analysis. Our induction programme will provide revision of background and practical experience in basic statistics from BSc study. This unit will then build on this revision, ensuring that you can administer and interpret the output of advanced statistical analysis (e.g. ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, linear / multiple regression/ factor analysis).

Provide a critical understanding of research design focusing on key themes such as, formulating specific and impactful research questions, choosing study designs which address the research question optimally, critical evaluation of both traditional and contemporary research designs and research ethics in applied forensic research. The unit also aims to develop skills in understanding questionnaire development, issues of importance in interview and focus group designs and data preparation.  The unit finally aims to build skills in advanced statistical data analysis.  

By the end of the unit you should be able to:

• Critically evaluate your own research, peer-reviewed published research and research documented in the 'grey literature';
• Interpret ethical and professional practice guidelines in relation to research activities;
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and application of appropriate methodologies and research skills in the construction and completion of applied forensic research (e.g. developing research questions).
• Demonstrate application of research methods/ analysis in relation to forensic/forensic mental health case examples.
• Understand the fundamental  assumptions and principles of ANOVA and regression models; understanding ways in which interaction effects should be approached using ANOVA and regression models.
• Implement a range of statistical techniques and research skills, including interviewing in a research context, running focus groups and statistically probing interaction effects;
• Demonstrate    originality    and    independence    in    solving    problems,    planning and implementing tasks;
• Employ effective written and verbal communication skills;
• Develop a high level of ability in the understanding and critical evaluation of information from numerous sources.

The teaching and learning methods involve a blend of both online learning and face to face lectures/seminars and workshops. Teaching will be delivered predominantly in an interactive lecture format, with some work in computer labs if available. Online components will require you to engage with online materials developed for the purpose, including video clips, interactive demonstrations and guided activities. Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session. Blackboard will be used to facilitate online discussion of material and to present resources such as resources for each session  and access to online reading lists.

1. Analysis of quantitative data/lab report (50%)
2. Research report (50%)

Student representation plays a vital and important part in helping the programme maintain and improve the quality of its provision. 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 active student involvement in course development.Student representatives are also invited to speak confidentially to the external examiner at the end of the academic year, and to participate in end-of-year course review meetings. Representatives are asked to feedback information from these meetings to the other students.In addition, at the end of each semester students are asked to complete an on-line evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken. At the end of the course they complete a general evaluation for their overall programme of study. This anonymous feedback is circulated to unit leaders. This helps to ensure quality assurance. Formative assessment and feedback to students is a key feature of the on-line learning materials for this unit. Students will be required to engage in a wide range of interactive exercises to enhance their learning and test their developing knowledge and skills.

You will be expected to supplement your reading, and source your own relevant articles as demonstrated by your blackboard learning. Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during the unit. Examples of key readings are listed below. Additional references will be provided with individual sessions.

• Cottrell, S, (2011) Critical Thinking Skills, Palgrave Macmillan
• Greenhalgh T (1997) How to read a paper: papers that summarise other papers (systematic reviews and meta-analyses). BMJ;315:672-5.
• Field A. (2017) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (4th Ed). Sage publications ltd.
• Harris, G. S. (2011). More Than Method?: A Discussion of Paradigm Differences within Mixed Methods Research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 5(2), 150-166.
• Rosenthal R.& DiMatteo, M.R. (2001). Meta-analysis: recent developments in quantitative methods for literature reviews. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 59-82.
• Shaughnessy, J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2014). Research Methods in Psychology. McGraw-Hill.
• Sher, K J.,Rindskopf, D,; Panter, A.T.,; Long, D.L.,; Camic, P.,Cooper, H. M. (2012) APA handbook of research methods in psychology,volume 1, Foundations, planning, measures, and psychometrics.
• Tabachnick BG. & Fidell LS. (2007) Using multivariate statistics (5th Ed.). Pearson