Program Overview

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Research Methods in Psychology (PSYC0012)

Key Information

• Faculty: Faculty of Brain Sciences
• Teaching department: Division of Psychology and Language Sciences
• Credit value: 15
• Restrictions: This module is only open to BSc Psychology and MSci Psychology.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

The module should enable students to design, undertake, analyse, present, and write up empirical work. Students will be familiar with this kind of module from PSYC0330, the first-year laboratory module. During the course of the year, students design and carry out two labs. These are carried out in groups and with the support of a PGTA and an academic Lab Mentor.

Teaching Delivery

The expected delivery format is that each week students meet with the PSYC0012 teaching team for 1 hour, in which they will work on their experiment with their group members and supported by their group's post-graduate teaching assistant (PGTA). Students will also meet for 1 hour with their "Lab Mentor" who will give feedback on the progress of their experiment.

Note

The usual teaching pattern may change for this module due to an early end to Term 2.

Indicative Topics

Indicative topics – based on module content, subject to possible changes:

• Brainstorming and Literature Searching
• Research Questions
• Transparent Experiment Design
• Pre-registering a data analysis plan and effective piloting
• Pilot data analysis planning
• Pilot data presentation
• Finalising Experiment and Lab Report Guidance
• Analysing Results
• Lab Report Writing Guidance The research questions for the two lab experiments will be inspired by real-world psychology questions, posed by a "Stakeholder" from an external organisation such as a charity, school, or health service. Students will meet the Stakeholders at the beginning of the term, and they will present the question that students will investigate with their research. At the end of each term, students will present their findings to the Stakeholders at a poster conference.

Module Aims

To further develop skills associated with psychological research through in-depth practical experience of designing, running, and reporting back on empirical studies in two different fields of Psychology.

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

Intended Teaching Term

Terms 1 and 2, Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 5)

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of study: In person
• Methods of assessment:
  • 20% Group activity (2 assessments)
  • 80% Coursework (2 assessments)
• Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

• Number of students on module in previous year: 196
• Module leader: Dr Katie Fisher

Important Information

The catalogue has been updated with key information about the modules that will run during the 2026/27 academic session. Current and prospective students can browse through the catalogue to consider possible module choices for the coming year. Please note, information in the catalogue is subject to change as teaching and assessment arrangements for 2026/27 may need to be adjusted in line with the University's Feedback and Assessment principles and operating model.