PS216-15 Second Year Project
Introductory description
This module allows students to develop research skills by performing a replication and an extension
Module aims
- To develop research skills by having students perform a replication and an extension: replicating a classic experimental effect from a list of pre-approved projects and then designing an extension that investigates an interesting new angle on the original work.
- To provide an opportunity to work in small teams on a medium-scale project in some area of psychological enquiry.
- To provide an opportunity to apply and consolidate research methods and data analysis skills learned in Methods in Psychology II (PS215) to a real data set obtained by the student.
-To foster key skills such as independent learning, communication, time management, and collaboration. - To prepare students to carry out their final year project and to satisfy relevant BPS training requirements.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Term 1: Lecture: 'Planning Your Project'.
Term 2
Lecture: 'Conducting Your Project'
Meetings with your supervisor
Lecture: 'Presenting Your Project'
Week 9: Poster Conference (all students must attend)
Term 3
Submission of independent report and raw data.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Design, plan and carry out a medium sized project in Psychology
- be able to propose a theoretically motivated project
- be able to execute a replication and extension to existing work
- be able to present work to an audience and write an independent project report
- appreciate the ethical context of the project;
Indicative reading list
Sternberg, R., & Sternberg, K. (2010). The Psychologist's Companion: A Guide to Writing Scientific Papers for Students and Researchers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511762024
Wood, C., Giles, D., & Percy, C. (2009). Your Psychology Project Handbook: Becoming a Researcher. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
Other Useful Reading
Bem, D. (2002). Writing the empirical journal article. In J. M. Darley, M. P. Zanna, & H. L. Roediger III (Eds.), The Complete Academic: A Career Guide. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Evans, J. (2007). Your Psychology Project: The Essential Guide. London: Sage.
Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2010). The Psychologist's Companion: A Guide to Scientific Writing for Students and Researchers (5th edition). Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
In addition, any text on research methods would provide useful supplementary material, particularly in relation to design. The following is a good example
Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology (7th Edition). London: McGraw-Hill.
The reading for PS215, list available through the talis reading lists will also be helpful
Research element
Perform a replication and an extension: replicating a classic experimental effect from a list of pre-approved projects and then designing an extension that investigates an interesting new angle on the original work. The project can be an experimental study, an observational study, or a study of attitudes and/or opinions.
Subject specific skills
developing and extending existing research, application of research methods training, development of ethical awareness.
Transferable skills
Team working, communication, time management, collaboration, data analysis, presentation skills
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 3 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Project supervision | 3 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Other activity | 100 hours (67%) |
| Private study | 44 hours (29%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
research and completion of independent report.
Other activity description
obtaining ethical approval, data gathering, writing report
attendance at poster conference
supervision as required
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 10% | No | |
|
Presentation of a poster |
|||
| Written report | 90% | No | |
Feedback on assessment
Academic guidance form for assessed work; specialized feedback form for poster evaluation
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 2 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
- Year 2 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
- Year 2 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics