This module provides a postgraduate-level orientation to essential contemporary statistical and methodological issues. Students will learn techniques typically used for research in psychology and other disciplines that use sampling statistics. The methodological issues considered include qualitative research methodologies; experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research designs in the laboratory and field; and issues surrounding the replicability and reporting of research. The statistical techniques taught include univariate and multivariate descriptive and inferential statistics; ANOVA as a form of general linear model; correlation and linear multiple regression; and nonparametric tests such as chi-square.
Total contact hours: 30
Total private study hours: 70
Total module study hours: 100
Compulsory to:
MSc Organisational and Business Psychology
MSc Cognitive Psychology/Neuropsychology
MSc Developmental Psychology
MSc Forensic Psychology
MSc Political Psychology
MSc Social Psychology
Also compulsory on Psychology Postgraduate Research Courses.
Also available as an elective module.
Weekly workshop Quizzes 20%
Theory Online Test 1 (mid-term) 20% (30 minutes)
Theory Online Test 2 (end of term) 20% (30 minutes)
Computing Online 1 (mid-term) 20% (30 minutes)
Computing Online 2 (end of term) 20 % (30 minutes)
Reassessment Details:
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The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
1. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the rationale and technique of different qualitative approaches in research methodology;
2 Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the rationale and technique of different quantitative approaches in research methodology;
3 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the logic of statistical inference, and of current best practices in reporting evidence in psychology;
4 Use appropriate statistical software to conduct analyses and to specify and test statistical models taught in the course;
5 Interpret and critically evaluate results of statistical analyses and outputs of statistical software, making inferences from results in applied settings and devising appropriate hypotheses/conclusions;
6 Understand, generate, and critically evaluate results of descriptive and inferential statistics as they would be reported in applied and basic psychological literature.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
1 Appreciate theoretical positions and controversies related to psychological methods and basic inferential statistics;
2 Demonstrate an appreciation of the diverse applications of qualitative research, quantitative research, and inferential statistics and their relevance to the student's field of study and social sciences more broadly;
3 Acquire or improve competence in the use of statistical software to manage and code data, and to conduct inferential analyses for a range of applications.
4 Act autonomously in problem-solving and be able to communicate observations to specialist and non-specialist audiences
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