BSc Educational Psychology

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Data Analysis in Psychology and Education

Course unit fact file
Unit code EDUC23030
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Building upon foundation skills from RIPE1, students will further their skills and understanding in obtaining evidence and move to consider a range of analytical techniques.  Major topics include:

  • Analytical lens such as IPA & thematic analysis, their purpose, strengths and limitations.
  • Statistical techniques covering a range of different designs
  • The use of software in data analysis
  • A further consideration and application as to the specifics of ethical practice and conduct in all stages of research

In addition, running through the unit are structured opportunities to practice and develop key research and critical thinking skills.  This is augmented through a number of practical activities in principle areas of psychology (e.g. memory, attitudes, individual differences), which will be used to structure a series six of mini-studies (three qualitative, three quantitative).  Rationale, design, and ethical considerations are discussed class, and then students collect their own primary data, following the agreed template.  Students then elect two (one qualitative, one quantitative) to write up for their assignments (see below).

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Research issues in psychology and education (1) EDUC13060 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

 

To provide coverage of the BPS qualifying syllabus core area of research methods.

To build upon foundation skills developed in Research issues in Psychology and Education (1) (RIPE1), specifically in relation to the analysis and interpretation of different data strands in research

Syllabus

 

 

Teaching and learning methods

Content sessions (e.g. including discussion and debate, case/scenario based learning, and other approaches to learning and teaching)

Guided experiential learning through data collection

Supplementary e-learning resources e.g. online videos provided online

Knowledge and understanding

Demonstrate an awareness of ethical
principles and approval procedures, and be aware of the ethical context of psychology as a discipline.

Identify a range of methods and approaches (and their underlying paradigms) for the use of collecting evidence

Intellectual skills

Reason analytically and demonstrate competence in a range of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques; Demonstrate competence and criticality in the interpretation of evidence from a range
of sources

Practical skills

Demonstrate substantial competence in range of research skills through practical demonstration

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Be able to problem solve by clarifying questions, consideration solutions and evaluating likely outcomes

Take charge of their own learning and undertake guided independent research Written communication

Oral communication (contributing to discussion and debate)

Working with others (group work, case-
based work)

IT skills (word processing, accessing electronic databases and library facilities, managing references)

Assessment methods

 

Assessment task Length How and when feedback is provided Weighting within unit
Following practical data collection, students are to select one of three qualitative mini-studies to write up a qualitative research report 1,500 Written feedback (utilising Turn-it-in), within University guidelines. 50%
Following practical data collection, students are to select one of three quantitative mini-studies to write up a quantitative research report 1,500 Written feedback (utilising Turn-it-in), within University guidelines. 50%

 

Feedback methods

Written feedback (utilising Turn-it-in), within University guidelines.

Recommended reading

Bazeley, P.& Jackson, K. (2013). Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. London: Sage.

Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: a practical guide for beginners. London: Sage.

Dancey, C., & Reidy, J. (2014).Statistics without maths for psychology: 6h Edition. Essex:Peason. 

Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS 4th Edition. Oxford: Sage.

Mertens, D. (2014). Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology (4th Edition). London: Sage. 

Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS for Windows 5th Edition.  Glasgow: Open University Press.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 30
Tutorials 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 146

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Margarita Panayiotou Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Activity Hours Allocated
Staff/ Student contact

20* interactive lectures @ 1.5 hours = 30

Mini-study data collection

6 studies @ 4 hours =24

Private study, reading and assignment preparation                              125
Preparation for sessions                               20
Total Hours                              200

 

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