MSc Research Methods for Psychological Practice
Length of course
One-year, full-time or two-year, part-time
Location
Central London (Regent)
This course is ideal for graduates and professionals who wish to develop expertise in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to psychological research, and can be used as a stepping stone to professional training in psychology. Successful completion of the course will equip you with the skills to conduct academic and/or applied psychological research professionally in a wide variety of settings. Established professionals can either undertake the whole course, or take individual modules for continuing professional development purposes.
UPDATE for September 2011 entry: innovative burst attendance structure
This course is now offered in an innovative ‘burst’ structure, instead of traditional weekly sessions. For each core module students will typically attend for two bursts of half a week (2½ days) at a time, one burst at the beginning and the second burst in the middle of each Semester. Sessions on full days will be morning and afternoon; half days will be either morning or afternoon. Following each intensive burst of lectures and workshops, students will continue to study by recommended reading, group discussion, conducting research, and working towards assessments, all under the on-line guidance of course tutors(for each module). This attendance structure is designed for flexibility:
- it will be very useful for part-time students who are employed, as taking leave for short blocks of time to attend University is likely to be much easier than arranging one day a week in every Semester.
- it will also be very useful for full-time students who wish to have paid or voluntary part-time employment while studying, as arranging short blocks of time to attend University will allow you maximum flexibility in managing your various responsibilities and commitments.
Outside the bursts, guidance will be available on-line and by email, or via meetings with academics (course tutors). Thus, this structure still offers the continued contact advantages of a whole Semester module.
Attendance
Full-time students: will attend for one and a half weeks at the beginning and middle of Semester 1, and one week at the beginning and middle of Semester 2, for the core modules. The option* is in Semester 2, and the project* is year long.
Part-time students:
In Year 1, typical attendance is one week at the beginning and the middle of Semester 1, and for a half week at the beginning and the middle of Semester 2 for the core modules. The option* will be taken in Semester 2.
In Year 2, typical attendance is 2½ days at the beginning and the middle of both Semester 1 and Semester 2 for the remaining core modules. The project* will be taken in Year 2.
* The typical option and the project module are managed by arrangement between student and supervisor or module leader, by appointment and/or e-discussions according to the individual student’s situation.
Course content
In all of the methods modules, you will conduct small-scale research studies into areas of your choice (within ethical and practical constraints). In your project you will carry out a larger research study on a topic selected by you, clarified in discussion with an appropriate supervisor. The topic will draw on knowledge, skills and methodological techniques covered by the course.
Core modules
Collecting and Analysing Quantitative Data
The module covers quantitative data collection methodologies, the conceptual basis of univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, and the relationship between research design and data analysis. You will use SPSS to perform univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.
Advanced Methods for Collecting and Analysing Quantitative Data
This module develops your critical and analytical understanding of advanced quantitative methods, including structural equation modelling. The appropriate methodological concepts, theoretical approaches, and ethical issues are considered for specific psychological research topics. You will use SPSS and AMOS to perform advanced statistical techniques.
Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology
You will cover a range of techniques and methods for collecting and analysing qualitative data in psychology, including issues and techniques in data transcription and epistemological issues in qualitative psychology. You will also be encouraged to engage with significant debates concerning the different research methodologies, and to critically reflect on key studies and approaches.
Advanced Qualitative Methods in Psychology
You will cover a range of advanced techniques in qualitative psychology including forms of narrative analysis and a range of discourse analytic techniques. There is a key focus on the epistemological, philosophical and methodological foundations of advanced qualitative approaches, along with their applications.
Psychological Research in Context
This module places the theoretical assumptions underpinning the diverse range of methods and techniques used in psychological research in historical and cultural context. There is a particular emphasis on how philosophies of science affect decisions concerning the mode of inquiry and proper object of psychological study.
Project
You will conduct independent research on a topic you select, clarified in discussion with an appropriate supervisor. The topic will draw on the knowledge, skills and methodological techniques covered by the course, either in-depth aspect/s of the taught course or related aspects. The final report will be in the style of a particular peer-reviewed publication selected by you in consultation with your supervisor.
Option module
Students choose one option. Two modules are particularly suitable for the burst attendance structure: either Work Experience in a Psychological Setting for MSc Students (recommended for deepening practical applications of the course content), or the Psychology Literature Review. These are managed by arrangement between student and supervisor or module leader, by appointment and/or e-discussions according to the individual student’s situation. If students prefer, they can instead take a traditional weekly attendance module from other Masters courses at Westminster, subject to availability.
Associated careers
This course is suitable as preparation for undertaking a PhD in Psychology, preparation for further training (eg Clinical Psychology), or to meet the requirements of employers. Discipline-specific skills are taught which, in addition to being a foundation for research studentships, would be a good basis for employment or promotion within a research-based organisation, in the academic or non-academic public or private sector. The course also develops generic higher education and career management skills that would be of use in a wide range of careers.
Course Leader:
Dr Rosemary Snelgar e-mail: R.Snelgar@wmin.ac.uk ext: 2186
