Research Methods 2

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Dr Gianluca Finotti
• Assessment: a 1.5-hour examination (50%) and a 3500-word mini-project report (50%)

In this module you will gain a working knowledge of a variety of statistical methods and how to implement them by hand and in SPSS. You will learn to differentiate between statistical techniques and how to use them for various research designs and research questions. We will cover the theoretical rationale behind different statistical techniques and introduce you to qualitative research methods so that you can practise using them. You will also learn how to design, execute, analyse and report a novel experimental project.

Indicative syllabus

• Advanced experimental methodology and statistics, with special emphasis upon data coding techniques, multivariate analysis, and post hoc and a priori tests related to the analysis of variance
• Qualitative methods
• Multiple regression
• Factor analysis
• Computer-based statistical analysis
• The research process in context: design, analysis and interpretation
• Conduct of experiments
• Data collection, analysis, and report writing

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

• identify an appropriate method of analysis for a range of experiments
• competently use SPSS
• perform analysis of variance involving both within and between-subjects designs, and interpret the results
• perform appropriate planned and post hoc comparisons by computer
• perform simple and multiple regression analyses, and interpret the results
• show familiarity with factor analysis and be able to interpret a simple factor analysis
• understand qualitative methodology
• carry out a piece of research in a small group setting
• prepare a short presentation on a piece of research.