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PS116-18 Academic Skills for Psychologists

Department
Psychology
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Jagjeet Jutley-Neilson
Credit value
18
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module is designed to provide students with basic academic skills needed to succeed in a Psychology degree course.

Module web page

Module aims

Topics will range from the practical (how to navigate an academic environment) to the theoretical (an in-depth look at the concept of 'evidence' in science), and will cover core course-related academic skills (how to efficiently and critically dissect original research papers, how best to communicate scientific content). Throughout the module, the emphasis will be on developing a coherent skill set based on critical thinking and a deeper understanding of empirical psychological science.

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.

Across the year, the module will cover topics such as

  • Effective Approaches FOR Learning in Higher Education
  • Evaluation of evidence, and reading and evaluating scientific papers
  • effective referencing
  • structuring writing and writing arguments in Psychology
  • Volunteering and Work Experience and Careers & the Real World
  • Research & the Meaning of Evidence
Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand the difference between learning, teaching, and assessment methods in schools versus higher education.
  • Understand the importance of academic integrity and demonstrate appropriate referencing techniques in psychology.
  • Understand the basics of scientific thinking, and how they apply to Psychology as a scientific discipline.
  • Critically evaluate empirical and theoretical scientific texts and communicate the outcome effectively.
  • Understand the basic logic of empirical and qualitative research.
Indicative reading list

Parson, V. (2012) Communication and Study Skills for Psychology. Oxford University Press.

Smyth, T. R. (2004). The principles of writing in psychology. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Selection of Weekly Journals

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Understand the basics of scientific thinking, and how they apply to Psychology as a scientific discipline.
Critically evaluate empirical and theoretical scientific texts and communicate the outcome effectively.
Understand the basic logic of empirical and qualitative research.

Transferable skills

evaluation of evidence
evaluation of scientific papers
critical thinking
formation of effective and structured arguments
understanding broader opportunities

Study time

Type Required Optional
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Tutorials 10 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Online learning (scheduled sessions) 4 sessions of 15 minutes (1%) 2 sessions of 15 minutes
Online learning (independent) 2 sessions of 15 minutes (0%)
Private study 68 hours 30 minutes (38%)
Assessment 80 hours (44%)
Total 180 hours
Private study description

private guided student study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A3
Weighting Study time
On-line Test 1 25% 15 hours

Online test taken outside class time via Moodle

Research Training online 5% 5 hours

Participation Marks - Training videos/online courses for H&S, Fire safety & diversity
Participation mark in online training (5% for completion of all three training videos; staggered completion participation mark - 1 training video= 1%, completion, 2 training videos= 2%, completion of three online training videos = 5%)

Group work: Blog / vlog 35% 30 hours

Group work: Blog / vlog post

Critical review 35% 30 hours

Critical Review a of a Research Article

Feedback on assessment

Academic guidance for assessed work online via Moodle and Tabula, assessment and feedback hours, through tutorials, and seminars.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
  • Year 1 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
  • Year 1 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics