PY0774 - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

The module is delivered in two weekly 90 minute sessions in which some time is spent giving information about a technique and the rest providing the opportunity for you to practice the technique. Independent study will give you further opportunity to enhance skills in analysis and explore key theoretical underpinnings and practical contexts relating to the different techniques taught. Much of the learning on this module will be experiential through the hands-on analysis and interpretation of data. You will have the opportunity to reflect on ethical guidelines and how they impact on data collection, analysis and use in psychology.

The module is delivered in two weekly 90 minute sessions in which some time is spent giving information about a technique and the rest providing the opportunity for you to practice the technique. Independent study will give you further opportunity to enhance skills in analysis and explore key theoretical underpinnings and practical contexts relating to the different techniques taught. Much of the learning on this module will be experiential through the hands-on analysis and interpretation of data. You will have the opportunity to reflect on ethical guidelines and how they impact on data collection, analysis and use in psychology.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Analyse and critically evaluate the meaning of qualitative and quantitative data
• Critically reflect on the use and appropriateness of qualitative and quantitative research techniques in psychology research and practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Communicate effectively and disseminate information appropriately to a range of stakeholders.
• Develop and enhance professional competence and employability skills through engagement with a variety of practical activities.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Critically reflect on ethics in relation to research methodologies and data interpretation in psychology

Formative assessment:
• Written module tutor feedback will be given on a series of short research reports using a range of qualitative methods following on from each session.
• Written module tutor feedback will be given on answers to practice quantitative restricted timed assessment questions.
• Verbal module tutor feedback will be provided during discussions of qualitative and quantitative techniques and their application in data analysis.

Summative assessment:
The module assessment will comprise of two parts:

• Part 1 – 50%:
4000 word qualitative research report.

• Part 2 – 50%:
Two hour, ten short answer question, unseen restricted timed assessment assessing quantitative methods.

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The module is designed to give you a research focussed appreciation of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting and analysing data in psychology. Wherever possible real world data from published studies will be employed and relevant technology and software will be used in exercises aimed at furthering your abilities in analysis and interpretation. The communication of findings according to the most recent conventions and with due regard to the audience will be addressed. The overarching approach is to provide a theoretical background for each technique, and the real world applications so that you are not simply capable of carrying out and reporting analyses, but also capable of reflecting critically on their appropriateness in psychological research and practice. Formative feedback will support your learning and prepare you for the summative assignment and restricted timed assessment.