Psychological Research Methods MSc

Program Overview

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The MSc Psychological Research Methods program at the University of Exeter equips students with a comprehensive set of methodological skills for success in PhD or professional research in psychology, focusing on cognitive, clinical, and clinical neuroscience research. Through a combination of taught modules and a substantial research project, students develop expertise in research design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program features a Research Apprenticeship that enables students to work alongside experienced researchers, providing valuable hands-on experience in a wide range of research areas.

Program Outline

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MSc Psychological Research Methods - Detailed Extraction

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Degree Overview:

This program aims to equip students with a comprehensive set of methodological skills to excel as PhD students or professional researchers in psychology, with a particular emphasis on cognitive, clinical, and clinical neuroscience research.

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Key Objectives:

• Function effectively as a PhD student or professional researcher in psychology.
• Develop expertise in cognitive, clinical, and clinical neuroscience research.
• Acquire the skills to generate strong research questions, establish plausible theoretical answers, and conduct high-quality empirical research to test hypotheses.
• Complete a research project that contributes to the discipline, fostering independent research capabilities.

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Program Features:

• Can be pursued as a stand-alone degree or as the first year of a PhD.
• Delivered as part of the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership, a hub for world-class social science research.

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

• Consists of compulsory taught modules and a substantial research project.
• Offers opportunities to engage with research groups within the department to explore research interests.

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Course Schedule:

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

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Modules:

• The specific modules offered may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, new topics of study, timetabling, and student demand.
• Examples of modules include:
• Advanced Statistics
• Research Methods in Clinical Neuroscience
• Research Methods in Clinical Psychology
• Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology

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Research Apprenticeship:

• A distinctive feature of the program, enabling students to develop research skills by working alongside experienced researchers or practitioners.
• Provides experience in scientific communication through dissertation writing.
• Typically undertaken with researchers in the Psychology department, but opportunities may exist outside the University.
• Offers a wide range of projects covering diverse topics, including:
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Social Psychology
• Environmental Psychology
• Applied Psychology
• Epidemiology
• Sports Psychology

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Examples of Previous Research Projects:

• Topics:
• Social behavior
• Animal welfare and enrichment
• Zoo research
• Animal cognition
• Navigation
• Sensory ecology
• Behavioral and evolutionary ecology
• Ecotoxicology
• Animals:
• Fish (guppies, sticklebacks, killifish)
• Mammals (primates, squirrels, whales, donkeys, dogs, meerkats, coyotes)
• Birds (pigeons, chickens, pheasants, magpies, flamingoes, woodland and sea birds)
• Invertebrates (crabs, honeybees, bumblebees, desert ants, wood ants)
• Locations:
• Streatham Campus (Exeter)
• Knysna Elephant Park (South Africa)
• Bristol Zoo
• Budongo Forest (Uganda)
• Torquay Zoo & Aquarium
• National Wildlife Research Center (Utah, USA)
• Dartmoor (Devon)
• Phana (Thailand)
• Trinidad
• Newquay & Paignton Zoos
• Slimbridge Wetland Centre
• Kerala (India)
• Algarve (Portugal)
• Veracruz (Mexico)
• Cayo Santiago (Puerto Rico)
• External Research Partners:
• African Elephant Research Unit (South Africa)
• Bristol Zoo
• Budongo Conservation Field Station (Uganda)
• Living Coasts (Torquay, Devon)
• National Wildlife Research Center (Utah, USA)
• Natural England
• Phana Macaque Sanctuary (Thailand)
• University of West Indies
• Whitley Wildlife Trust
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

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Assessment:

• Advanced statistics modules are assessed through written examinations and a small component of coursework.
• Other taught modules are assessed through coursework.
• The research project requires students to prepare either a dissertation or a research paper ready for submission to a journal.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Research talks
• Discussion sessions with researchers
• Practical sessions

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Faculty:

• Staff are recognized internationally for their academic excellence, high-quality research, and applied output.
• They actively research the areas of psychology they teach, ensuring their expertise directly informs the program.

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Unique Approaches:

• The program emphasizes student-driven learning, allowing students to shape their own curriculum and acquire a bespoke set of methods and skills.
• The comprehensive research project provides students with in-depth methodological training beyond the scope of taught courses or workshops.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Research
• Professional psychology
• Marketing and business roles
• Personnel or caring professions

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Opportunities:

• The program develops scientific, communication, and interpersonal skills valued by employers.
• Exeter's reputation among graduate employers facilitates successful careers in research, high technology industries, management, personnel, legal, and advertising services.

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Outcomes:

• Recent graduates have secured positions as:
• Dietetic Support Worker
• High school counsellor
• Independent Researcher
• Lab Assistant
• Lemur Trust Wildlife and Technology Trainee
• Product developer
• Rehoming and Welfare Assistant
• Research Assistant
• Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
• Writer
• Recent graduates have worked for:
• Alexander Care
• AseraCare Hospice
• CAMHS Urgent Help Service
• Cardiff University
• Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre
• CIRCLE/Flamingo Land
• Devon Autism and ADHE Service
• Mercedes Benz
• Shanghai Foreign Service Co. Ltd.
• The Wellcome Trust
• University of Exeter Medical School
• Further study is a popular option for graduates, with examples including:
• PhD Psychology
• Master of Applied Psychology
• MPH Psychology
• PhD Medical Studies
• PhD in Psychology

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Other:

• The program boasts extensive research facilities, including:
• Eye tracking
• EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories
• Audio-visual recording suite
• MRI scanner
• The program is highly regarded, ranking:
• Top 100 in the world for Psychology (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology (REF 2021)
• Top 10 in the UK for Psychology (Guardian University Guide 2024)

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• 2024/25 entry
• UK fees per year:
• £14,300 full-time;
• £7,150 part-time
• International fees per year:
• £29,700 full-time;
• £14,850 part-time