PSYC42230: Critical Research Practice

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• To provide the knowledge and skills required to design, conduct and disseminate research in psychology
• To provide guidance on how to conduct psychological research ethically
• To provide analytical skills required to critically evaluate research in psychology
• To provide practical training in a range of transferable skills relevant for professional and personal development

• This module covers the stages involved in conducting research in psychology, from experimental design to dissemination.
• This module also covers the techniques and tools required for the critical appraisal of research.
• It covers topics such as:
• - The relationship between epistemology and research methods;
• - Best practice in designing and planning research;
• - Ethical issues surrounding research;
• - Risk assessment;
• - Data management
• - Critical analysis skills required to assess the robustness of research methods and validity of conclusions;
• - Research integrity and spotting/ avoiding questionable research practices;
• - The use and misuse of statistical methodologies and errors in data handling;
• - Pre-registration of psychological research;
• - Varied modes of research dissemination (including writing styles and strategies for communicating to different audiences).

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Critical understanding of research design and strategy, including the selection and interpretation of alternative methods and techniques
• The ability to formulate and evaluate researchable problems

Subject-specific Skills:

• Capabilities for managing research

Key Skills:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Transferable employment skills relevant for professional and personal development, including: ability to communicate complex information, time management and organisation of work

• This module will be delivered by the Department of Psychology
• This module is taught through lectures, seminars, and workshops
• This module is assessed formatively through a poster presentation
• This module is assessed summatively through an oral presentation and written assignments (lay summary of dissertation and critical analysis of a research paper)

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