MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Course details

The dissertation involves you working closely with their supervisor to develop and implement an empirical forensic research project. You identify a topic of interest prior to commencing the programme (e.g. considering research questions and methodologies to examine this topic). This is refined this during Semester one in collaboration with the research supervisor. You will present a research proposal to a small group of peers and staff early in Semester two. You will work with your supervisor to develop the design and submit for ethical approval. Once approved by the University Ethical Review Committee (UREC) you conduct the study and analyse the data before writing up the project. Understanding and applying relevant ethical and professional standards are key to this unit, as are skills in working under supervision. You are expected to write the empirical study in publication format (e.g. for a scientific journal) and communicate the key findings to a lay audience (e.g. general public).

Provide you with the opportunity to design, conduct, analyse and report on an empirical study relevant to forensic psychology. The unit aims to offer you the opportunity to engage in supervision and refine their applied research skills (e.g. identifying and applying ethical principles and standards). The unit also ensures you demonstrate in-depth critical understanding of your chosen research area. Finally the unit offers the chance to disseminate the findings of the empirical project in an accessible and meaningful way to a suitable audience

Learning will be through regular individual or small group meetings with the research supervisor, and co-supervisor, field supervisor/s/clinical collaborator/s (if applicable), guided reading, independent study and self-directed learning. One 1 hour taught session will outline the process of the dissertation (e.g. the processes of supervision and ethical approval). There are three formal progress review meetings with the dissertation supervisor. The first occurs before the end of November to discuss ideas for the empirical project. The second meeting occurs early February to determine planning and progress. The third formal review meeting occurs at the end of July to ensure the student has attained the grades in their taught modules to complete the dissertation module.

1. Critically evaluate the knowledge, theory and evidence base relevant to the research topic;
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and application of appropriate methodologies to develop appropriate research question(s);
3. Understand the requirements of scientific writing and data presentation;
4. Understand and apply ethical standards to applied forensic research;
5. Identify appropriate methods and techniques by which to address the research question(s);
6. Interpret statistical analyses relevant to the empirical data.

Incorporated into knowledge and understanding above

1. Develop and present oral presentation of research proposal;
2. Apply advanced research methods/analysis in relation to forensic/forensic mental health applied research working with relevant software where appropriate;
3. Implement and manage appropriate data collection strategies;
4. Manage and work with datasets;
5. Present analysis and findings in academic style suitable for publication;
6. Communicate findings to lay audience.

1. Demonstrate responsibility to improve on own learning now and in the future;
2. Demonstrate sensitivity, respectful and non-discriminatory language in relation to forensic clients/settings.
3. Develop effective working supervisory relationships;
4. Demonstrate independent thought, presentation skills and time management.

1.    Oral presentation of research proposal to group of peers.

Time: 10 minutes duration. Weighting: 10%

2.    Dissertation – thesis consisting of:

Extended literature review (approx. 5000 words) 

Study written in publication format (approx.. 4000 words)

Reflective account of research process (approx. 1000 words) Word count: 10,000 – 15,000 words. Weighting: 80%

3.    Summary of research for lay audience.

Word limit: 500 words. Weighting: 10%

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. 

Students will be expected to supplement their reading, and source their own relevant articles as demonstrated by their blackboard learning.  Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during dissertation supervision and design of the project.

American Psychological Association (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition. APA, Washington DC

Bem, D.J.B. (2003). Writing the Empirical Journal Article. In, Darley, J. M., Zanna, M.P., & Roediger III, H. L. (Eds) (2003). The Compleat Academic: A Practical Guide for the Beginning Social Scientist, 2nd Edition. APA, Washington DC

British Psychological Society (2013). Ethics Guidelines for Internet-mediated Research. BPS, Leicester

British Psychological Society (2014) Code of Human Research Ethics. BPS, Leicester

Field, A. (2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS (Second ed.). Sage, London.

Field, A. & Hole, G. J. (2002). How to Design and Report Experiments. Sage, London.

Hart, C (2005) Doing your Masters Dissertation. Sage, London.

S. Brown & E. Sleath (2015) Research Methods for Forensic Psychologists: a Guide to Completing your Research Project. Routledge Criminology.

Goodwin, A., Richardson, P & Vine, E. (2011) Research Methods and Design in Psychology. Learning Matters Ltd.

Shaughnessy, J., Zechmeister, E.B., & Zechmeister, J.S (2014) Research Methods in Psychology. McGraw Hill, New York.