Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PSY1612

 
TITLE Research Methods in Psychology

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Psychology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will examine the three approaches to doing research – qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. This will be done by engaging with several data collecting tools and research designs such as experiments, observations, interviews, focus groups, surveys and case studies. Issues of reliability and validity will be discussed as well as ethical issues related to research with human participants.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to introduce students to the research process and familiarize themselves with different methodologies, data collecting tools and conceptual frameworks.

At the end of the study-unit, students will be able to:

- Identify the best research design for a particular research question;
- Become aware of issues of reliability, validity, bias and sampling;
- Understand the philosophical assumptions underlying the different methodologies.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative research techniques;
- Describe the steps in the research process;
- Demonstrate knowledge of various research designs (experimental/non- experimental);
- Demonstrate knowledge of research methods (experiments, surveys, interviews, focus group, observation).

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods;
- Know the basic steps in carrying out experimental and various non-experimental research methods;
- Identify the best research design for a particular research question;
- Become aware of issues of reliability, validity, bias and sampling;
- Understand the philosophical assumptions underlying the different methodologies.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Creswell, J.W. & Creswell J.D. (2017) . Research design. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage.

Supplementary Readings:

- Langdridge, D. & Hagger-Johnson, G. (2013). Introduction to research methods and data analysis in psychology. London: Preston Prentice Hall.
- Creswell, J.W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. London: Sage.
- Punch, K. F. (2013). Introduction to social research: quantitative and qualitative approaches. London: Sage.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES This study-unit is only offered to students with Psychology as an area of study.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Amy Joan Camilleri Zahra
Mary Anne Lauri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit