PY3EP-Project for Placement Students

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RMP Research methods in Psychology or PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Katie Barfoot
Email: katie.barfoot@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
PY3EP: Extended Project

Aims:
This module enables students to conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and the writing of a final project report. During the project, students work in close collaboration with the supervisor (a member of academic staff, and where appropriate other members of the supervisor's laboratory) and, where appropriate, with a student co-worker.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Identify a research question, with reference to critical evaluation of theory and evidence in relevant contemporary literature


• Design and implement a study that enables the research question to be fully addressed


• Accurately apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis


• Appraise the results of the study, with reference to the hypotheses, theoretical context, and wider research literature

Additional outcomes:

Students will further develop skills in the following:

• Planning and project management


• Professional research behaviours.


• Written communication in a scientific format

Outline content:

Students are required to produce a written project proposal in Spring Term of the Placement year, which can be developed into a full project report by the end of Spring Term of Part 3. The project proposal will summarise the background and justification for the project, and plans for the design and implementation of the main project.

Students are required to produce a full project report at the end of Spring Term of the third year. The project report should demonstrate that the student has conducted an extended piece of research that answers a specified hypothesis.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

1. Regular supervisory support is given at all stages of the project.


2. Written feedback is provided following submission of the Project Proposal. This will help students produce an accomplished final report, whilst also allowing them to demonstrate their ability to work independently at the final report stage.


3. Statistics support workshops, providing help with the analyses students need to employ in their projects, are available to all project students


4. Students are provided the opportunity to submit a draft report (excluding Discussion) for written feedback