| CODE | PSY5594 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Research Methods and Statistics | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is intended to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the concepts and methods of psychological research, and consolidate and enhance their experience in the use of various research techniques. Students will also be exposed to the use of computer packages to save, handle and analyse quantitative and qualitative data. LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. identify the basic tenents of qualitative and qualitative research 2. become familiar in the use of data collecting tools such as interviews, focus groups, questionnaires etc. 3. know the different theoretical frameworks 4. identify characteristics of major research designs while being aware of their advantages and limitations 5. determine when the use of these designs are appropriate 6. be aware of ethical issues in research 7. know how to use computer packages to input, save and analyse qualitative and quantitative data OUTLINE Part 1: Principles of Social Research - The qualitative and quantitative research debate - Ethical considerations of doing research - Overview of data collecting methods - Evidence based Practice - Effectiveness and efficacy research - Writing a dissertation Part 2: Analysing Quantitative and Qualitative Data - The philosophy of the Scientific Method - Data, measurement scales variables, populations, samples and sampling - Descriptive Statistics: measures of central tendency, of variation, and correlation - Statistical significance - Inferential Statistics: - t-tests,-- ANOVA, MANOVA; Non-parametric techniques (CHI Square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis) - Analysing qualitative data - Using NVIVO to analyse qualitative data MAIN TEXT: - WILLIG, C. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology, Open University Press (McGraw-Hill Companies). - Lyons, E. & Coyle, A. (2007) (Eds). Analysing Qualitative data in Psychology. London: Sage - PUNCH, K.F. (1998) Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative & Qualitative Approaches, (London, Sage) - AGRESTI, A. & FINLAY, B. (1999) Statistical methods for the Social Sciences, Third Edition (London, Prentice Hall) - ACKROYD, S. & HUGHES, J. (1992) Data Collection In Context, Second Edition, (London, Longman). - Charmaz, K.(2008). Constructing grounded theory. A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: Sage - Dallos. R. & Vetere, A. (2005). Researching psychotherapy and counselling. UK: Open University Presss - Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. (2005) (Eds.) The sage handbook of qualitative research. London: Sage. BIBLIOGRAPHY - FLICK, U. (1998) An Introduction to Qualitative Research (London, Sage) - GAHAN, C. & HANNIBAL, M. (1998) Doing Qualitative Research Using QSR NUD-IST (London, Sage) - HEIMAN, G.W. (1992) Basic Statistics For The Behavioural Sciences (Boston, Houghton Mifflin). - NEWMAN, I. & BENZ, C.R. (1998) Qualitative-Quantitative Research Methodology (Illinois, Southern Illinois University Press) - ROBSON, C. (2002) Real World Research (2nd edition) (Oxford, Blackwell) - Roulston, K. (2010) Reflective Interviewing. A guide to theory & Practice. London: Sage - SIEGEL, S. & CASTELLAN, N.J. (1988) Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Second Edition (New York, McGraw-Hill). - Smith J.A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. Theory, method and research. London: Sage - STEVENS, J. (1986) Applied Multivariate Statistics For The Social Sciences (Hillsdale NJ, Erlbaum). - STEVENS, J. (1990) Intermediate Statistics: A Modern Approach (Hillsdale NJ, Erlbaum). - WINER, B.J. (1971) Statistical Principles I Experimental Design, Second Edition (New York, McGraw-Hill). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Angela Abela Mary Anne Lauri (Co-ord.) Clarissa Sammut Scerri Arlene Vetere |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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