PE7029 - Research Philosophies and Planning

The module is delivered entirely online via our electronic learning platform (elp). You will interact with a range of materials on the module site. The module home page provides you with quick access to detailed information about the module in an interactive, easily accessible format. This is designed to broach new, and challenging information, and to provide breadth and depth of conceptual knowledge across topics in biological and social psychology. The teaching materials support your learning. Each session delivers flexible, interactive learning materials, accessible in a variety of formats such as audio and video presentations. Tasks to extend and test your learning are interspersed within the learning materials. A range of different tasks, with formative feedback, are aimed at supporting your learning. In addition to this you will be encouraged to utilise peer to peer support opportunities through the use of elp supported platforms for interaction. Each session is supported by directed reading from the core texts accessed through the electronic reading list..

You will be an autonomous, self-motivated learner within a supportive distance learning environment. You will be introduced to the module by the module tutor in an introductory video. The online module sessions and interactive tasks form the cornerstone for supporting you during your study. Academic support is available from the teaching team and each session includes a link to enable you to email a question directly to the tutor from within the session. Responses will be fed back either directly or via the module discussion board. In advance of each assessment a video presentation is uploaded to support you in your preparation for this session. This is followed by an online live question and answer session prior to submission of your assessed work. Focused academic support coupled with timely formative and summative feedback should enable you to meet your full academic potential within this module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
MKU1: Critically evaluate the evolution of theoretical and methodological approaches in psychology
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MIPSA1: Develop research management skills and the ability to effectively communicate key research issues and debates
Personal Values Attributes:
MPVA1: Understand the development of professional ethics and research integrity
MPVA2: Understand the complexities within a discipline and be able to make pragmatic research decisions about what is achievable within a given time frame

Formative assessment:
Module tutor feedback will be given during the preparation of and after the student-led poster presentations
Summative assessment:
The module assessment will comprise of two parts:
Part 1 -50%: a written assignment which will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their achievement of learning outcomes KU1, IP1, PV1
Part 2– 50%: a research proposal that communicates a rationale and plan for a programme of research IP1, PV1, PV2.

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This modules describes historical changes to the research approaches and techniques in the different branches of Psychology as a precursor to a process of developing and presenting your own research plan. Students are introduced to a series of 'classic' studies and asked to evaluate and debate the way that psychological knowledge, methods and ethical approaches may have changed since that original study. Each classic study represents a pathway in the discipline of psychology, embracing diverse areas such as social, developmental, cognitive and health psychology. For each pathway, students will be asked to reflect critically on the original epistemological and methodological assumptions made within the discipline and consider the major changes in the development of the discipline (this will be reflected in both the first assignment - a brief research proposal showing an understanding of theoretical and methodological approaches in the discipline and also in the second assignment, which will focus on the historical development of methodology and theory. This module will equip students to think more critically about the developments of the discipline and also the design of their own research programme and so can be used to explore thesis ideas.