Introduction to Research Methods

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: Dr Marie Smith
• Assessment: two lab reports of 2000-2500 and 2500-3000 words (20% each) and two 1.5-hour online examinations (30% each)

In this module we introduce you to basic statistical tests and common research designs employed in psychological experimentation. There is particular emphasis on:

• the execution and reporting of experiments
• understanding and interpreting the output of descriptive and inferential statistical tests
• how to use the statistical computer software package SPSS.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• understand basic quantitative and qualitative research method approaches
• define basic statistical terms (e.g. mean, standard deviation, Ζ-score)
• define basic experimental terms (e.g. dependent variable, repeated measures design)
• summarise and describe data using appropriate graphs and tables
• use SPSS to perform, interpret and report the outcome of the following statistical tests: Chi-square test of association, Mann-Whitney/Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test, Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks test, Sign Test, One- sample t test, Related t test, Unrelated t test and one way ANOVA
• compute, interpret and report the following tests by hand: Chi-square test, Ζ- test, one-sample t test, Related t test and one-way ANOVA
• select the appropriate statistical test to analyse a dataset
• design or select an appropriate experimental design to test a univariate hypothesis
• write a scientific report that conforms to American Psychological Association (APA) standards.