Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Simon Watt

"Research Rotation" concentrates on research methods in Psychology. The aim is for students to gain experience in and understanding of different research topics and methods, and hence acquire a broader range of knowledge and understanding of current research topics and reseach methods in Psychology.

Students will participate in research with two (one in each semester) different researchers at the School of Psychology. Participation includes partaking in lab/research-group meetings, learning the research methods used, working on experiments together with members of the research group, and presenting and discussing papers related to the research topic studied by the researcher and the methods used.

threshold

Presentation: limited grasp of the research topic, limited understanding of the research methods and limited understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Limited organization and presentation skills. Report: limited grasp of the research topic, limited understanding of the research methods and limited understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Limited range and use of source materials, and limited organization of the report. Activities: limited competence and engagement in research activities

good

Presentation: good grasp of the research topic, competent understanding of the research methods and reasonable understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Good organization and presentation skills. Report: good grasp of the research topic, competent understanding of the research methods and reasonable understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Reasonable range and use of source materials, and good organization of the report. Activities: good competence and engagement in research activities

excellent

Presentation: Excellent grasp of the research topic, deep understanding of the research methods and excellent understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Very good organization and presentation skills. Report: Excellent grasp of the research topic, deep understanding of the research methods and excellent understanding of the relationship between the research topic and methods. Excellent range and use of source materials, and very good organization of the report. Activities: excellent competence and engagement in research activities

1. Compose a literature review on the topic studied by the researcher.

2. Describe, understand and critically evaluate the research method used in relation to the research topic.

3. Describe and understand the research topic studied by the researcher.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	Presentation	Assessment requires student to lead a lab meeting/journal club discussion. This will typically involve a presentation of a paper, data, or idea, and lead an interactive discussion. It may involve powerpoint presentation etc., but does not have to (this is up to the discretion of supervisor/student).	7.50
REPORT	Research Report	Report should contain three 'sections', each relating to the rotation placement: 1. Background to the topic and research question [~500 words] 2. Description of research methods [~500-750] words 3. How does the research method link with research question [~250-500 words]	12.50
DEMONSTRATION/PRACTICE	Comp and Eng in Research Activities	Competence and Engagement in Research Activities. Competence is how well students perform research activities. Engagement is how they make use of the opportunities provided to them. Activities will vary depending on supervisor but typically include attending research (lab) meetings, observing and and discussing research, actively taking part in research (as a participant and running other participants). Guideline of 37 hours spread over whole semester.	30.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	Presentation Sem 2	Assessment requires student to lead a lab meeting/journal club discussion. This will typically involve a presentation of a paper, data, or idea, and lead an interactive discussion. It may involve powerpoint presentation etc., but does not have to (this is up to the discretion of supervisor/student).	7.50
REPORT	Research Report Sem 2	Report should contain three 'sections', each relating to the rotation placement: 1. Background to the topic and research question [~500 words] 2. Description of research methods [~500-750] words 3. How does the research method link with research question [~250-500 words]	12.50
DEMONSTRATION/PRACTICE	Comp and Eng in research Activites	Competence and Engagement in Research Activities. Competence is how well students perform research activities. Engagement is how they make use of the opportunities provided to them. Activities will vary depending on supervisor but typically include attending research (lab) meetings, observing and and discussing research, actively taking part in research (as a participant and running other participants). Guideline of 37 hours spread over whole semester.	30.00

		Hours
Lecture		2
Laboratory	Students will be introduced to new research topics and methods, and gain insight into the crucial interrelationship between research topic and research methods. Students will be taught through individualized or small-group meetings and research activities with individual researchers or research groups.	66
Private study		132

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in oral form.
• Be computer literate for the purpose of processing and disseminating psychological data and information.
• Retrieve and organise information effectively.
• Handle primary source material critically.
• Engage in effective teamwork for the purpose of collaborating on psychological projects.
• Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
• Carry out empirical studies by operationalizing research questions, generating hypotheses, collecting data using a variety of methods, analysing data using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and present and evaluate research findings (under appropriate supervision).
• Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
• Use a variety of psychological tools, including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.

Compulsory in courses:

• C8AL: MSc Psychological Research year 1 (MSC/PSYRES)

Optional in courses:

• C8BZ: MRes Psychology year 1 (MRES/PSYCH)