PYMFCR-Clinical Research Methods

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Eugene McSorley
Email: e.mcsorley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students with knowledge of, and competency in, psychological research methods and statistics.

Aims:

The aims of the module are that students should develop their knowledge of psychological research methods, statistics, and computer packages for data analysis. They will gain practical experience of a variety of methods, analysis techniques, and report writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

• Show the required standard of knowledge about the statistical concepts and techniques that have been taught, and know which techniques are appropriate for particular data.


• Use computer packages to implement the statistical methods.


• Show knowledge of questionnaire design and the principles underlying the use of questionnaires


• Be able to design, undertake and report studies of psychological phenomena.


• Be conversant with the ethical and practical issues relating to research in a clinical psychology.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain practical experience of using several psychological research methods. They will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of research methodology, data analysis and literature searching in essays and exam questions produced for other modules on the course.

Students will participate in research studies being conducted in the School, enhancing their knowledge of research methodology and enabling them to apply their knowledge of research design and procedure to real examples.

Outline content:

• Introduction to mathematical and statistical concepts in psychology.


• Topics in statistics, including the normal distribution, parametric and nonparametric tests (correlation, paired tests, chi-square), analysis of variance, regression and principal components analysis, and their applications in psychological research.


• How to choose statistical methods.


• Use of statistical packages to analyse and present data.


• Designing, running and analysing the data from experimental mini-projects.


• Introduction to questionnaire design, qualitative approaches to data collection and data analysis.


• Topics relevant to undertaking clinical research (including the importance of research, study designs used in clinical research e.g. single case design).


• Trial design (covering design such as multiple baseline case series, and randomised controlled trials).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

1. Lectures on clinical research issues highlighting the importance of research in underpinning scientist practitioner models of clinical psychology, methods and statistics, including introductory statistical teaching for beginners; then lectures on general techniques in psychological research, based on the General Linear Model and on non-parametric statistics; designing and administering questionnaires; psychometrics; qualitative methods such as thematic analysis; Principal Components Analysis.


2. Workshops on statistical computing and related topics.


3. Completion of a report describing a mini-project.


4. Completion of a of a project proposal based on the format of a Research Ethics Committee application.


5. Statistics support, where students can receive help with any topics relating to statistics they have found difficult in lectures or practical classes.


6.  Semina rs that provide the opportunity to deepen understanding and apply learning.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	9
Seminars	8	9
Project Supervision	4
Guided independent study:	80	82
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	45
Project output other than dissertation	45
Set exercise	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by coursework.

• Students will complete a miniproject report in Autumn, describing the results of a statistical enquiry they have conducted (45% of module mark).


• Students will additionally undertake an assessment to produce a project proposal.  The format for this proposal will follow the pattern of a Research Ethics Committee application.  The assignment will be based on a study chosen from a list provided (45% of the module mark).


• Students are required to participate in the human research being done in the School. Students will be required to gain a small number of credits by participation in studies conducted in the School. This participation is helpful in experiencing research from the participant’s point of view. Students complete a short debrief after each study. They will receive 10% of the credits for this module for participation in this research. These are scored at an average of the mark given for the other credits on the module.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails the assignment, an alternative, equivalent assignment can be submitted.  The assignment and date of submission will be by arrangement with the Module Convenor and/or Programme Director. Students should note however that, given the University regulations on failing credits, it may not be in their interests to resubmit the coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Field, A (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage Publications. ISBN: 9781446249185.

2) Specialist equipment or materials: None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None

4) Printing and binding: None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

 

Last updated: 30 March 2023