MSc Research Methods in Psychology

Program Overview

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Why this course?

This course is for those aiming to develop careers in research or enter subsequent training for a scientist practitioner-oriented career such as clinical or educational psychology.

It also provides a basis for further postgraduate study such as a PhD and applications for research assistant posts.

In addition to acquiring the skills and theory for conducting research, you'll have the opportunity to meet and discuss research with postgraduate students in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health. You'll also play a role in research with members of our academic staff.

You may also have the opportunity to be employed within the School as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

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Interested in postgraduate study?

At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to provide you with all the information you need to kick-start your postgraduate journey at the University of Strathclyde. Register for upcoming events below:

Monthly drop-in sessions

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What you'll study

This course is designed to maximise your research potential. It provides a thorough grounding in research methods for anyone wanting to apply for a research assistant post or for doctoral study, or enter training for a scientist practitioner-oriented career such as educational or clinical psychology.

You'll devote a signifcant amount of time to a substantial research project and focus on producing a thesis that it is potentially publishable in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. We provide  the supoort of one-to-one supervision and access to the advanced research equipment in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health,

In addition, you'll complete training in the philosophy of social research methods, quantitative and qualitative research methods and research design over two semesters. These taught modules will provide the training essential for the completion of the research project and for your subsequent career in research.

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Learning & teaching

Taught classes are a mixture of tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practical sessions to facilitate your learning.

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Assessment

Each taught class has its own set of assessments including essays, reports, class tests, presentations and research proposals. The dissertation will cumulate in a thesis.

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Facilities

Specialist research equipment is available for use by our postgraduate students, including:

motion capture via a suite of six infra-red cameras

a driving simulator which can be programmed to display different scenarios and be used in conjunction with other equipment

several types of eye tracker available which have been used to examine topics such as word reading and bias in attention to alcohol-related stimuli

two psychophysiology labs to measure electrodermal activity, heart activity, electromyographic signals and EEG

experiment generator package ‘E-Prime’

a variety of questionnaires and ability measures including access to the online survey tool ‘Qualtrics’

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How to become a psychologist

Find out all you need to know including what a psychologist does, the different types of psychologist and the steps you need to take to become one.

How to become a psychologist

Program Outline

Course content

You’ll complete five areas of training over two semesters:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 & 2

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Perspectives on Social Research

This module is intended as a general introduction to the processes of reasoning and practice in social research. It aims to help students understand the differences between key approaches to social science in terms of research design. It also aims to assist students critically engage with researchers from a range of different disciplines.

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Quantitative Research Methods

This class aims to provide advanced training in a range of quantitative statistics likely to be required for analyses conducted in the dissertation. The class also aims to equip you with the statistical knowledge that is likely to be needed to aid the interpretation of results from previous empirical research. In addition, you'll develop the necessary statistical competences to support transfer to doctoral programmes and careers in academic or commercial research and teaching.

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Research Design

This class aims to develop the skills required to undertake a substantial original research project. Taught sessions will focus on project conception and critical thinking, literature searching, understanding of ethical principles and codes of practice, and the generation of research proposals. Students will also learn how to develop and deliver research presentations to professional audiences.

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Qualitative Research Methods

An introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of using qualitative methods within Psychology. Specifically, the class will focus on developing qualitative research questions, designing appropriate methods of data collection, and analysing qualitative data. To achieve this, you'll conduct a small group research project using qualitative methodologies.

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Dissertation

Students will undertake a large original research project, under the supervision of one of the academics in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health. Access to the specialist equipment in the school, along with expert tutorage in the use this equipment, will be provided during the dissertation, as required.

I think the Strathclyde psychology department boasts some of the most interesting, professional, supportive, passionate and dedicated staff I’ve ever worked with.

Rebecca Johnson

MSc Research Methods in Psychology Read about Rebecca's Strathlife

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Careers

The course is primarily designed for graduates in psychology who wish to begin a career in research. It's ideally suited to someone who wishes to apply for a post as a research assistant or wishes to apply for doctoral study.

Previous students have been successful in receiving PhD funding from the University, as well as externally funded studentships from a variety of sources including the Economic and Social Research Council, the Welcome Trust, the Carnegie Trust, and places at other universities.

The course also provides research training to graduates who may wish to enter professional training for jobs which have a ‘scientist-practitioner’ underpinning such as clinical psychology.