Course description
This MSc has been designed to provide training in research methods, whether in preparation for MPhil/PhD studies in psychology, for academic research work, or for applications in allied professions such as education, health, or research in or for organisations.
The Programme includes a generic core training as well as courses in areas of specialisation, providing an understanding and appreciation of both qualitative and quantitative research methods within psychology and across a range of disciplines. As such, the Programme conforms with ESRC's model of a fully rounded training for research, distinguishing core training from specialised training appropriate to particular disciplines.
You will acquire technical competence in the use of 'leading edge' technology, a good appreciation and understanding in the methodology underlying empirical work in the behavioural and social sciences, and of policy relevant research. A substantial part of the programme is devoted to providing practical, ‘hands-on’ experience of the methodologies and techniques covered.
Duration
The programme is fully credited and credits can be accumulated over a maximum of six years (part-time study, including your dissertation time).
All full-time students as well as part-time year students in their second year attend a dissertation residential in Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park at the end of the Spring Term to consider and discuss the feasibility of your proposed dissertation with staff and peers. There is a real commitment to effective staff/student relationships.
Credits
Students must obtain a total of 160 credits by completing eight taught modules. The dissertation adds another 80 credit points to your total of 240 credit points which is required for the award of a Masters degree.
Modules: MSc Research Methods and Psychology
Core Modules (compulsory)
SGM203 Research Design, Methods and Methodology
SGM204 Methods of Data Collection
SGM205 Data analysis using SPSS
SGM206 Rationale and Philosophical Foundations of Social Research
PSM511 Contemporary Issues in Psychological Research
PSM403 Research Design and Statistics 2
Elective Modules (choose one from the list)
SGM209 Advanced Data Analysis
SGM210 Psychometrics and Attitude Measurement
SGM211 Statistical Modelling
SGM227 Longitudinal Studies: design and analysis
SGM216 Social Policy Research and Evaluation
SGM202 Textual Analysis
SGM208 Survey Research Methods
SGM207 Qualitative Research Methods
ECM208 Epidemiology*
ECM202 Advanced Economic Evaluation in Health Care*
*ECM202 and ECM208 are provided as part of the MSc in the Economic Evaluation of Health Care, which is administered by the Department of Economics.
Non-assessed units (no credits)
SGM215 Focus Group Interviewing Not running in 2006-07
SGM216 NVivo
