Overview

You will learn about the descriptions used to define science around the world, and discuss whether psychology fits within these definitions.

You will then explore the important characteristics that make up research, including what an experiment is, why specific measures and controls might be used in different situations, and ethical considerations controlling psychological research. You will also learn about APA formatting which is used within the field of Psychology to report on research.

Finally you will learn about qualitative and quantitative methods, how to characterise different types of data, and how to use these types of data to represent information in graphical format.

Students are introduced to the theoretical arguments between science and pseudoscience in order to gain a rounded understanding of how Psychology relates to the scientific field. Following from this an array of research methodologies are introduced, including lab and field experiments, observations, literature reviews, and case studies, in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses involved in each type of format. This will also include some traditional methods of measurement such as reaction time experiments and questionnaires. A series of lessons on ethics in research will outline the considerations that must be made whilst conducting research, alongside examples of real-life experiments that violated guidelines with a discussion on what should be done in these situations. Students will cover an introduction to APA formatting in order to understand the standardization of literature within the field that will allow them to prepare appropriately-formatted essays. Finally, students will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative data in effort to differentiate between the types of information that would be gained from previously learned research tools. From here measures of dispersion will be covered in order to understand how groups of human participants may vary. Finally, methods of data presentation will be covered to highlight the importance of clear data visualization regarding scatter plots, bar charts, and more.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (40-49% / D- to D+) Has shown knowledge of key areas and principles but there is a weakness in understanding the subject area. Work shows limited evidence of background study and research. Answer is only poorly focussed on question and with some irrelevant material and poor structure. Some arguments are presented but lack coherence.

Satisfactory (50 – 59% / C- to C+) Has shown knowledge of the key areas and principles and the main elements of the subject area are understood. Work shows limited evidence of background study and research. Answer is focussed on question but also with some irrelevant material and weakness in structure. Arguments are presented but lack coherence.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+) Has shown a strong knowledge and understands most of the subject area. Work shows evidence of background study and research. Answer is focussed, has a good structure, and contains coherent arguments.

Excellent (70%-100% / A- to A*) Has shown a comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the subject area. Work shows extensive background study and research. Answer is highly focussed, well-structured and contains logically presented and defended arguments.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of different types of data and the ways that they can be visualized

• Describe ethical issues that may be raised within Psychology

• Describe the classifications for science and pseudoscience, and whether they can be applied to the field of Psychology

• Describe the different types of research methodologies used in psychological research