Undergraduate Course: Investigating Behaviour: research methods in psychology (LLLI07015)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Lifelong Learning (PPL) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This is a for-credit course offered by the Office of Lifelong Learning (OLL); only students registered with OLL should be enrolled.
The course will introduce you to the various research methods used by psychology to investigate behaviour. We will cover a variety of topics: the research process; experimental / non-experimental research methods; quantitative and qualitative data; primary and secondary sources. Finally, basic statistical analysis and ethical issues that arise when conducting research in psychology will be discussed. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2013/14 Lifelong Learning - Session 3, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Learn enabled: No |
Quota: 10 |
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
21/04/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
78 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
¿ Explain the relationship between science and psychology;
¿ Describe the research process;
¿ Explain the terms quantitative/ qualitative data and primary/ secondary sources;
¿ Describe the experimental method, non-experimental methods and basic statistical analysis;
¿ Describe how psychological research is carried out, specifically highlighting ethical issues.
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Assessment Information
| Open Studies 10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide. |
Special Arrangements
Please contact Reception to arrange a confidential appointment with our Student Guidance Advisor if you feel you have specific study requirements to enable you to study an Open Studies course or complete assessments. Giving us this information will enable us to make arrangements to meet your requirements for studying in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
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Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
1. The relationship between science and psychology.
This theme continues throughout the course.
2. The research process; quantitative and qualitative data; primary and secondary sources.
3. Research methods - the experimental method (1): rationale - hypotheses; independent and dependent variables and types of experiment.
4. Research methods - the experimental method (2): types of experimental designs.
5. Research methods - the experimental method (3): critique of the experimental method.
6. Research methods - non-experimental methods (1): social survey - interviews and questionnaires; Case Study.
7. Research methods - non-experimental methods (2): observational method; correlation.
8. Basic data analysis: mean; median; mode; range and standard deviation.
9. Conducting research in psychology.
10. Course summary.
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
The Tutor will supply the necessary material. If students wish to purchase a general book of psychology, one possible choice would be:
Martin, G.N., Carlson N.R., and Buskist, W., 2007. Psychology. 3rd Edition. Harlow: Pearson.
Web sources
BBC Science and Nature Resource ¿ The Mind:
www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/index_surveys.shtml
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
This course will be taught through a combination of lectures, demonstration and discussion. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email: james.mooney@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Diane Mcmillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 6912
Email: D.McMillan@ed.ac.uk |
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