Postgraduate Course: Problem-based Social Psychological Research (PSYL11091)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This semester long course gives students guidance and practice in using the tools of social psychology to address problems that arise in the field. For example, how to produce a qualitative assessment of support for young adults with autism. Students will design three different research projects, and will address problems suited to quantitative and qualitative approaches. There will be an emphasis on independent group work. |
| Course description |
Following an introductory lecture, groups of students will be given a series of three carefully chosen problems and will design and describe the implementation of research which will address them. Regular practical guidance will be given in tutorials and students will benefit from creating presentations of their proposed projects and receiving feedback on them. Subsequently, students will select one of the problems previously addressed as a group, and use feedback to produce an individual report, including a brief literature review and detailed research plan.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- communicate and evaluate research ideas clearly and effectively in speech and writing
- think creatively and practically in finding ways to address the challenges of researching individuals embedded in their social worlds
- use the theoretical, methodological and research tools of social psychology
- design rigorous and effective social psychological research and be equipped to resolve potential difficulties
- assess the limitations and affordances of different ways of approaching social questions
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Reading List
Rosenthal, R., & Rosnow, R. L. (2007). Essentials of behavioral research: Methods and data analysis (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Willig, C. (2013). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3rd edition, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Forrester, M.A. (Ed.) (2010). Doing Qualitative Research In Psychology: A Practical Guide. Sage: London, England.
Willig, C. & Stainton-Rogers, W. (2017). The SAGE handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology. London: Sage. See chapters on conversation analysis (Wilkinson & Kitzinger), discursive psychology (Wiggins & Potter), ethics (Brinkmann & Kvale), Evans, Elford, and D. Wiggins (using the internet). |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Research and enquiry skills (e.g., analytical and critical thinking; knowledge integration across academic disciplines; understanding of interplay between research and real-world settings; understanding of interplay between theoretical and methodological approaches).
Personal and intellectual autonomy (e.g., independent thinking; developing higher-order thinking and sound reasoning; self-awareness and reflection).
Personal effectiveness (e.g., acquiring skills for leading a group discussion; giving and receiving feedback in a way that maintains and builds relationships within a team).
Communication skills (e.g., engaging effectively in discussions; oral and written presentation skills, including the ability to convey the key points concisely). |
| Keywords | Social Psychology,Research design,problem-focused |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sue Widdicombe
Tel: (0131 6)50 3411
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Elinor Lange
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: |
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