PA805-8-SP-CO:
Research Methodologies and Research Design
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 8
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
23 February 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module provides knowledge of different methodological approaches to research. It will acquaint students with a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including those most relevant to and informed by psychoanalytic thinking and practice.
It will provide the equipment needed to make an informed choice for the students` chosen research project and enable them to devise a viable design for their project.
Supported by ongoing individual supervision and their own independent doctoral studies, the students will be in a position by the end of the module to write a paper on the methodological issues involved in their project and to describe and justify their chosen research design.
This module aims:
1. to provide knowledge of different research methodologies
2. to provide the students with enough methodological understanding to choose an appropriate methodology for their project
3. to enhance students’ capacity to conduct research in accordance with a rigorous methodology.
4. to provide methodological underpinning to the research design for the doctoral project
1. Knowledge of different research methodologies and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their chosen area of research (A3)
2. Ability to choose relevant methodology (B1)
3. Understanding of ethical issues involved in research (B2)
4. Ability to understand applications of research to psychodynamic counselling / depth psychotherapy (B3)
5. Ability to adopt and apply research methodology (C2)
6. Ability to write effective application for ethical approval for project (C4)
7. Communication (D1)
The module will take the form of 5 seminars/workshops on research methodology
1. Introduction and discussion of the range of available methodologies and principles of choice
2. Qualitative methodologies – Conducting a research interview/Creating a questionnaire
3. Qualitative methodologies - Thematic Analysis, IPA, Conversation Analysis, Process Research
4. Using psychoanalytic research methods, Case study research
5. Quantitative methodologies: effectiveness/outcome research, surveys, choosing appropriate tools
There will be a series of seminars and workshops delivered. This might be at intervals over the first and second terms or in two concentrated periods. Reading will be set beforehand and there will be lectures, discussion groups and workshops to reinforce the learning and practice skills.
Monthly individual supervision will support the development of a viable research design
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Deborah Wright, email: dlswri@essex.ac.uk.
Graduate administrator; ppspgr@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Dr Judith Trowell
None
Private psychiatrist and psychotherapist
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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