University of Essex

PA800-8-FY-CO:
Thesis

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Postgraduate: Level 8

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 240

Last updated: 24 August 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

DOCTC89436 Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy,
DOCTCP8936 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,
DOCTC8AP36 Analytical Psychology,
DOCTC89P36 Psychodynamic Counselling

Module description

This is the research thesis in which a topic of choice is explored in depth generating new knowledge. It will draw on the learning from all the other modules and will be supported by the essays generated as assignments for those models, which will constitute the groundwork for several chapters of the thesis.

The project could be empirical, theoretical or historical. The first year will enable students to refine their research question, develop an appropriate research design, and establish their chosen methodology. Years 2 will largely be devoted to conducting the project, with most of year 3 dedicated to processing the data and generating results, findings and conclusions. It will include some reflection on the research experience, with attention paid to the process of becoming a researcher.

Monthly supervisions will support the student in the progress of their research project and the production of the thesis. There will be annual supervisory panels involving other academic staff in which extracts from the thesis will be discussed and feedback given.

There will be regular forums for doctoral research presentations and students are expected to participate in these.

It is also expected that each student will present at least once at the postgraduate research forum and/or conference.

Module aims

This module aims to support students in conducting their research and producing an effective thesis.

Module learning outcomes

1. Knowledge of research literature in their field and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their research question (A1)
2. Knowledge of different research methodologies and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their chosen area of research (A3)
3. In-depth knowledge of chosen topic (A4)
4. Ability to choose relevant methodology (B1)
5. Understanding of ethical issues involved in research (B2)
6. Ability to understand applications of research to depth psychotherapy / psychodynamic counselling (B3)
7. Ability to conduct rigorous literature review (C1)
8. Ability to adopt and apply research methodology (C2)
9. Ability to write extended thesis on topic of research (C4)
10. Communication (D1)
11. Information Technology (D2)

Module information

The module will take the form of supervisory support throughout the 3 years and 1-year completion if required.

In years 2 and 3 there will be monthly workshops to discuss research issues as they arise, or to consider topics chosen by the student group

No set syllabus

Learning and teaching methods

There will be monthly supervisions for all students and monthly workshops through year 2 and 3.

Bibliography

Kumar, R. (2019) Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners. Fifth edition. Los Angeles: SAGE. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/333933.
McLeod, J. (2011) Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/928242.
Smith, J.A. (ed.) (2015b) Qualitative psychology: a practical guide to research methods?: Read chapter 11 and look at others when you have time. 3rd edition. London: SAGE. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/169945.
Morgan Brett, B.R. and Wheeler, K. (2021b) How to Do Qualitative Interviewing. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Rubin, H.J. and Rubin, I. (2012) Qualitative interviewing: the art of hearing data. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Hollway, W. (2013b) Doing qualitative research differently: a psychosocial approach. Second edition. London, [England]: SAGE Publications. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1110117.
Lynass, R., Pykhtina, O. and Cooper, M. (2012) ‘A thematic analysis of young people’s experience of counselling in five secondary schools in the UK’, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 12(1), pp. 53–62. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2011.580853.
Emanuel, R. et al. (2014b) ‘Implementing an aim-based outcome measure in a psychoanalytic child psychotherapy service: Insights, experiences and evidence’, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 19(2), pp. 169–183. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104513485081.
Shedler, J. (2010b) ‘The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy’, American Psychologist, 65(2), pp. 98–109. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2010-02208-012&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2021) Thematic analysis: a practical guide to understanding and doing. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Willemsen, J., Rosa, E. Della and Kegerreis, S. (2017b) ‘Clinical Case Studies in Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Treatment’, Frontiers in Psychology, 8. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00108.
Hinshelwood, R.D. (2013b) Research on the couch: single-case studies, subjectivity and psychoanalytic knowledge. Hove: Routledge. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203374559/research-couch-hinshelwood.
Midgley, N. (2006) ‘The “inseparable bond between cure and research”: clinical case study as a method of psychoanalytic inquiry’, Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 32(2), pp. 122–147. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00754170600780273.
Hinshelwood, R.D. (2008) ‘Repression and splitting: Towards a method of conceptual comparison1’, The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 89(3), pp. 503–521. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-8315.2008.00055.x.
Single Case Archive | About (no date). Available at: https://www.singlecasearchive.com/about.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Deborah Wright, email: dlswri@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Deborah Wright

Contact details: Graduate Administrator: ppspgr@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 20 hours, 18 (90%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

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Module Directory

PA800-8-FY-CO:Thesis