Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches - Online Learning) (CLPS11077)
Course Outline
| School | School of Health in Social Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | This course within the MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches (Online) programme provides students with the opportunity to design, conduct, analyse, and present a substantial research project. |
| Course description |
Students will work in small groups of around 4-6 students on a research project chosen from the Clinical Psychology Research Projects Handbook. Group supervision is designed to foster peer learning and social support, with supervision combing online meetings and formative feedback. This collaborative approach allows students to participate in larger-scale projects while still submitting an independently written dissertation report for assessment.
Topics will include some focus on developmental aspects relevant to mental health and/or wellbeing, and possibly children or young people. Dissertation formats may include empirical studies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods) using primary and/or secondary data, meta-analyses (where data is being analysed), or systematic reviews.
Workshops held throughout the academic year will provide general guidance on key aspects of dissertation work.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
588 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% coursework.
Dissertations should be 8,000-9,000 words and follow the structure and format of the sample dissertation pro forma provided in the course handbook. |
| Feedback |
Formative feedback on project design, planning and execution will be done via feedback and meetings with supervisors. One set of written comments will be provided on a draft copy of the dissertation and feedback will be provided on the poster element. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe, explain, and evaluate relevant empirical and theoretical literature to create a rational justification for a research project.
- Conduct a research project using appropriate design, data collection methods, and ethical procedures, showing logical links between research questions, design, and data collection.
- Collect and analyse data using suitable methods and relevant approaches, employing relevant software if required.
- Provide critical and contextual interpretations of findings, reflecting upon the strengths and weaknesses of the research conducted, and discussing implications in relation to current research, theory, and future research directions.
- Communicate a research project clearly and succinctly in a well-structured written dissertation, adhering to the relevant professional standards and demonstrate substantial autonomy and initiative in managing time and project tasks, ensuring successful completion of the research project.
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Reading List
Readings related to the research topic will be recommended by supervisor.
Systematic review -
Boland, A Cherry, MG & Dickson, R (2014). Doing a systematic review. A student's guide. London: Sage Publishing Ltd.
Quantitative projects -
Field, A (2013) Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: Sage Publishing Ltd.
Field, A & Hole, G (2003) How to design and report experiments. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Greene, J & D'Oliveira, M (2009). Learning to use statistical tests in psychology. Maidenhead, Berkshire: OUP
Pallant, J (2016) SPSS Survival Manual. Maidenhead, Berkshire: OUP
Qualitative projects -
Silverman, D (2013) Doing Qualitative Research. A Practical Handbook. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
General
Sternberg, RJ (2003) The Psychologist's companion: a guide to scientific writing for students and researchers (4th ed). Cambridge:
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
* Development of extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in one or more specialisms, much of which is at, or informed by, developments at the forefront
* Plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development
* Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills practices and thinking in a subject/discipline
* Undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of numerical and graphical data
* Communicate, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise.
* Personal and intellectual autonomy skills, including accountability, time-management and working with
others |
| Keywords | Dissertation,children,young people,mental health |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Daniel McKay
Tel:
Email: dmckay4@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Katie Killeen
Tel: (01316) 513969
Email: kkilleen@ed.ac.uk |
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