This strand will equip you with skills required for the effective scientific study of psychology. Some of these skills are practical ones, such as computer skills and presenting results of experiments, whilst others are more conceptual, for example on how best to structure an essay or to critique a scientific paper. 

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In each year the end of the Summer Term is given over to miniprojects in which you put your research methods training into practice by conducting your own research. Working in small groups, you choose to investigate one of a range of topics and are guided through the process of forming and specifying clear testable hypotheses, designing experiments to test them, gaining ethical approval, gathering data and performing statistical analyses using the research skills you have learned. Finally you share your findings at a 'mini conference' that is attended by staff and fellow students, where your group produces and presents a poster about your project. Miniprojects help prepare you for your final year project and develop your team work, communication and problem solving skills. Testing new ideas through careful observation and experiment is what science is all about; it is a creative process and lots of fun! 

Text Books

We have a custom made textbook to support key study skills throughout your degree: Slocombe, Katie (2010). All you ever wanted to know about research methods and academic skills. Pearson

In Year 1 For the blocks covered in the first term, we recommend Research Methods I: Collected Readings (2017) compiled by Gavin Phillips. Pearson.  The e-book can be accessed for FREE. 

For the following terms, we recommend reading about the topics covered in Dancey, Christine P. (2007). Statistics without maths for psychology. Pearson Prentice Hall, as a gentle introduction to statistics used in Psychology

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