Psychological Research Methods, MRes, MSc

Our MSc/MRes Psychological Research Methods provides extensive training for those looking to develop a broad range of skills relevant to independent research. Why choose this course?

The MSc and MRes Psychological Research Methods are designed to prepare graduates in Psychology or related disciplines for;

• a PhD degree
• research related careers in academic or applied psychological disciplines
• careers in which data handling and analytical skills are of relevance.

Students also complete the course as a means of improving their research skills in preparation for further training as a professional psychologist (often as a clinical or educational psychologist).

Both awards are equivalent, although the MSc has a larger taught component whilst the MRes places greater emphasis on the conduct of independent research. You may wish to apply to the MSc in Psychological Research Methods in the first instance and then you can make a choice of award later, in conjunction with the Course Leader and teaching team.

Contact us
Email
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4460
School of Social Sciences website

What will I study?

In Term One, all full-time MSc and MRes students complete the same core modules, which cover:

• Advanced experimentation and statistics 1
  This module examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of statistics used in experimental research (e.g. statistical inference, power and effect size).
  
• Psychometric scale development 1
  This module will provide you with a basic knowledge of psychometric theory and how this theory can be applied to the different stages of test development. More specifically, the module aims to demonstrate the process of test development through practical application of theory, whereby you will work to produce your own psychometric scale.
  
• Qualitative research design and analysis 1
  Qualitative research is concerned with the subjective world and aims to investigate human experience in order to understand peoples’ opinions, motivations and feelings. As you find out on your exploration of this fascinating topic, qualitative research is not just one method but a constellation of designs and methods, each offering a unique perspective on a chosen research topic.
  
• Research and professional skills
  This module will introduce you to a range of key research and research dissemination skills necessary for the pursuit of an academic or professional career in psychology (or related disciplines). The main aim of the module will be to ensure that you are capable of planning, carrying out and seeking funding for ethically sound, independent research projects in a psychological setting, and that you are able to present the results of that research in a variety of media for both professional and non-professional audiences.
  
• Observational methods
  This module will provide you with a knowledge of, and practical skills in, observational methods. You will work with other students on a collective observational analysis of video-taped material in order that you build up your skills such that you will graduate from the module competent to use structured observational methods in your own research studies.

In Term Two, students pursuing the MSc award will complete five more taught modules, including:

• Advanced experimentation and statistics 2
  Building on from Advanced experimentation and statistics 1, this module introduces additional advanced statistical topics such as logistic regression, Poisson regression, meta-analysis and multilevel modelling.
  
• Psychometrics 2
  This module builds on understandings developed in the earlier psychometrics module that you will have taken but considers how scales are actually used in research and practice. It also considers other forms of psychometrics beyond just surveys and questionnaires and you will tackle a range of problem based scenarios drawn from real world situations.
  
• Qualitative research design and analysis 2
  This module will provide you with both the theoretical underpinnings and analytic practice of conversation analysis (CA) and discursive psychology (DP). The module includes lectures on theory / method combined with seminars where we look at data and perform analysis.
  
• Testing psychological theories using SEM
  The aims of this module are to introduce you to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of structural equation modelling (SEM); and to equip you with the skills, and understanding, to appropriately construct, analyse and interpret theoretical path analytic models using LISREL software.

You will also complete an extended essay on a methodological topic of your choice and an empirical research project (Worth 60 credits), both under the supervision of a research active member of staff

• Specialist psychological research methods essay (MSc only)
  This module provides you with the opportunity to comprehensively explore the application of a psychological research method or set of related methods within different occupational, cultural or social settings. The specific method(s) and setting explored by the essay will be determined by your own interests and can be drawn from any area of psychology.
  
• Psychology research project
  Your project is an independent piece of work that is supervised by a member of staff who will guide and support you as you work towards producing a final report for assessment. This will be the main opportunity for you to carry out an extensive piece of independent research of your own choosing and for you to demonstrate that you have the skills to devise, conduct, analyse, present and report an empirical study to postgraduate level.

MRes students complete just three taught modules of their choice in Term Two, giving you the potential to concentrate exclusively on quantitative / psychometric methods or qualitative methods. You also complete a larger empirical research project (worth 100 credits) under the supervision of a research active member of staff.

Assessment
You will be assessed in a variety of ways and on a modular basis through:

• examination
• coursework
• essays
• laboratory reports
• oral presentations
• research project.

The course adopts a pragmatic approach to research, arguing that all research methods and approaches, whether quantitative, psychometric, qualitative, or mixed, should be attuned to the subject-matter and the nature of the research hypothesis or question to be answered. Offering a balanced appreciation of all methodological approaches, their relative strengths and weaknesses, the course will leave you equipped to conduct research in any area of psychology.

International student support
International students in psychology can also access additional language and study skills support, as well as help in acclimatising, via our own International Student Support Officer.

Psychology resources and facilities
The University has made significant financial investment in the Psychology Division over recent years upgrading accommodation, facilities and equipment used exclusively for the provision of our psychology courses and for research. We have a state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching laboratory suite opened in 2006, and a further phase of development, opened in 2007, includes a second teaching laboratory specifically catering for postgraduate students.

In addition there are specialist suites dedicated to particular areas of interest in psychology, including:

• social interaction, group work and interviewing
• computer gaming and cyberpsychology
• eye-tracking
• cognitive modelling and visual analysis
• psychophysiology.

Alongside these are new flexible cubicles for student project work, a psychometric test bank library, and a technical workshop.