Introductory description

In this module, you will design and carry out a small-scale research project in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. You will gain an understanding of various research methods and of how to evaluate and choose methods appropriate to your research topic, gain ethical approval and understand the ethical implications of your research practice, and conduct a literature search to contextualise and situate your own findings. You will learn how to structure and write a research project and will present your dissertation as summative assessment.

Module aims

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.

The nature and purpose of research
Research paradigms and philosophical issues
The research process and research design issues
Reviewing the literature
Ethical issues in research
Approaches to material collection and analysis
Appraising the implications of research findings
Structuring and writing a formal research paper

Learning outcomes

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

• Produce a research dissertation presented in appropriate written format
• Identify relevant existing literature and situate own research in the context of existing body of evidence
• Analyse and synthesise data from research project
• Conduct research within appropriate ethical parameters
• Describe how the research project makes a contribution to the field of counselling and psychotherapy
• Use appropriate research methods to collect data

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

Small scale research project and report

Subject specific skills

Create a clear statement of the focus of the research project relevant to counselling and psychotherapy in a research proposal
Confirm appropriate research questions and gain ethical approval for the study
Select and apply appropriate research methods
Carry out the supervised research/ethical inquiry in counselling and psychotherapy

Transferable skills

Work on own initiative and cooperate with others
Produce a dissertation and present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate and adequate structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length and referencing
Research skills as set out under subject specific skills which could be applied to other professional and academic areas