Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc Psychological Therapies) (CLPS11076)
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 Psychological Therapies programme provides students with the opportunity to design, conduct, analyse, and present a substantial research project.
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| 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 on-campus 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 inform, or in some way relate to, the improvement of what is known about effective psychological therapies. This may include but is not limited to a systematic review, meta-analysis, needs analysis, service evaluation, or feasible aspects of a treatment study.
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 |
Students MUST have passed:
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | It is strongly recommended that students have taken CLPS11066: Research Methods in Applied Psychology (20 credits) before enrolling on the dissertation course. Students should discuss this with the MSc Psychological Therapies Programme Director |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Journal article-style dissertation (100%)
A journal article of 8,000 to 9,000 words (without +10% leeway). Students should decide on a relevant journal in discussion with their supervisor. Students should follow journal guidelines on style and format but disregard journal word count.
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| 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. 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, M.G. & 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, R.J. (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
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| Keywords | Dissertation,children,young people,mental health,psychological therapies |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Daniel McKay
Tel:
Email: dmckay4@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Clara Shaw
Tel: (0131 6)51 3970
Email: Clara.Shaw@ed.ac.uk |
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