Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Research Methods in Psychology at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
This master's degree in Research Methods in Psychology aims to provide an opportunity to research and learn about a wide range of topics in psychology; from basic learning and cognition, to neuropsychology, and to applied topics in clinical and educational psychology.
Performance:
- One of four Psychology departments to achieve a 100% 4* rating (maximum score possible) for the reach and significance of its work in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. Based on this measure Psychology at Swansea was ranked 14th (out of 82) in the UK
- Top third ranking for UK Psychology Departments (2016 Complete University Guide)
- Joint 12th UK ranking for Psychology (Graduate prospects)
Teaching and Employability:
- High-level training in advanced research methods and skills
- Exciting opportunities to conduct basic and applied research projects in a wide range of areas.
- Unique mix of small-group teaching in seminars, workshops, and practical sessions, as well as a diverse range of assessment methods and access to staff and other one-to-one teaching support from demonstrators for technical subjects.
- International student mentor to all international/overseas fee-paying Psychology students
- Opportunity to gain funding for Ph.D. places, and to gain access to professional training courses in Clinical Psychology and Educational Psychology
This MSc in Research Methods in Psychology provides students with high-level training in advanced research methods and skills, and offers exciting opportunities to conduct basic and applied research projects in a wide range of areas.
Research Methods in Psychology students learn to use a range of research tools, such as databases, statistical software, and computer programmes.
By the end of this training, students on the Research Methods in Psychology course will have acquired a wide range of practical research skills to apply in any context where human behaviour is important. They will have gained practical knowledge of the nature and limitations of the scientific method and the main alternatives, and knowledge of the general historical, theoretical, and philosophical issues underlying psychological and behavioural science.
Modules on the Research Methods in Psychology MSc typically include:
Generic Research Skills
Computing Skills
Empirical Projects
Philosophy of Psychology
Special Research Skills
Statistical Methods
Qualitative Methods
Dissertation (MSc Research Methods)
The full-time Research Methods in Psychology course, which will last one year, will normally involve attending the University for two full days a week (Monday and Tuesday). The part-time course, which lasts two years, will normally involve attending the University one full day a week.
The Research Methods in Psychology course is suitable for:
- Anybody with an interest in developing a career in research, either in psychology, or social and health sciences, or those wishing to apply research skills in the private sector.
- Students who wish to pursue further professional training in professional and applied areas of psychology have found the research training provided very helpful in developing this aspect of their skills portfolio.
Many of the College of Human and Health Sciences team are leaders in their specialist fields of research. They undertake novel and original research in a variety of areas, including clinical and health psychology, brain injury, sleep, cognition, neuroscience and developmental psychology.
The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.
In addition, students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.
This MSc Research Methods in Psychology (RMP) Master’s programme is designed to equip you with a wide range of methodological skills to enable you to become a successful PhD student or professional researcher in psychology. The programme provides advanced training in a variety of research methods and data analytic techniques. The main aim of this master's in research methods in psychology is to equip you to conduct research in your chosen field that is of high quality and impact. We have designed a programme in which you apply the skills you are taught to your own research questions. Therefore, in addition to classroom instruction, you will receive structured support as you develop your research questions, plan and execute the research, analyse the data, and prepare reports describing your findings.
This is the course page for MSc Research Methods in Psychology at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Research Methods in Psychology and what studying here involves.
In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MSc Research Methods in Psychology.
If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.
All master's in research methods in psychology students complete eight modules in two semesters (eight months), which cover the theory, practice and context of a wide range of research approaches, using a combination of lectures, workshops, small group discussions, collaborative group research projects, and independent study. Students receive personal guidance and feedback from experts in the methods used and the research topics in which the student wishes to specialise. Assessment on this MSc Research Methods in Psychology programme is based entirely on substantive pieces of research-related work carried out on in the student's area(s) of interest. Students taking the MSc then complete a further piece of independent research (four months).
View the programme specification document for this course
Our unique MSc Research Methods in Psychology programme allows you to study theory while benefitting from hands-on research experience.
It covers the breadth of contemporary psychological research methods and allows you to develop research approaches to studying psychology, from the level of social groups through to neuro-imaging of brain activity.
Our MSc Research Methods in Psychology programme is designed to provide you with expertise in psychological research methods appropriate for the behavioural sciences.
You will develop the skills necessary for critically evaluating research, formulating innovative research questions, conducting empirical research, and analysing, interpreting and reporting research results.
The programme covers the breadth of contemporary psychological research methods, allowing you to develop research approaches that combine multiple methods in unique ways. By the end of the programme, you will have developed an individual profile of research skills.
The programme also provides an ideal stepping stone for research at PhD level.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Students who have completed the Psychology programmes have progressed to a range of careers in areas such as local government, management, research posts in universities and commercial organisations, healthcare and clinical psychology, and many have progressed on to study for a PhD.
We believe in involving all postgraduate students in the research life of the School through active participation in one of the research groups, attendance at research seminars and, where possible, an attachment to ongoing research projects.
As a student of the Department of Psychology, you will also have access to a number of conferences, seminars and workshops hosted throughout the year.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
This programme trains you in the fundamental aspects of quantitative and qualitative research, including research design, data collection and data analysis, and provides practical, ‘hands-on’ experience.
The programme will appeal to you if you would like to develop your career in experimental research, or to enhance your ability to apply research skills in either the public or the private sector.
The programme will enable you to:
You also complete a research project leading to a dissertation, and you participate in general research skills training modules with students from other departments at Goldsmiths.
For more than ten years now, the programme has been recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council(ESRC) as providing the generic and specific research training required by students in receipt of ESRC studentship awards.
Since 2011, the programme has been the research methods training masters for the psychology pathway within the Goldsmiths and Queen Mary ESRC-funded Doctoral Training Centre (2011-2015).
Students in receipt of an ESRC 1+3 PhD studentship in the psychology pathway have to take this course as the first year of a 4-year PhD programme; students who have completed the Masters self-funded, are eligible to bid for an ESRC funded +3 PhD studentship in the psychology pathway at Goldsmiths or Queen Mary.
The MRes runs for one academic year full-time or two years part-time. Most of the lectures, seminars and workshops on the programme run in the first two terms, but you are expected to pursue your studies beyond formal term times, particularly in respect of your research project.
Lectures, seminars and workshops for the programme are timetabled mainly for Mondays and Tuesdays, but you may occasionally be required to attend other seminars and workshops held by the Department and College. You must take all the modules listed in the syllabus.
The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in each module. All modules include a strong practical component.
In addition to these modules, you will also complete:
Research Project (60 credits)
You will produce an empirical piece of research leading to a research project, supervised by at least one member of the lecturing staff in the Department. The project provides invaluable, practical ‘hands on’ experience of evaluating a particular research question. You have the opportunity to set your research question, determine and apply the methods to obtain the answers, and present, discuss and interpret the results. You normally start your project in the second term, together with necessary literature reviews and research design. Work on your project will continue full-time following the formal examinations in May up until project submission in mid-September.
Additional workshops and seminars
You are also required to attend some of the Department’s programme of Invited Speakers’ talks given by distinguished academics in psychology, and to produce a written critique on one of these. You are welcome to attend the Department’s other seminar series, which are hosted by eminent academics and practitioners.
Assessment
Written examinations; coursework; dissertation.
The programme aims to equip you with a sound understanding of methods and skills necessary to conduct high-level research in psychology, using a wide range of approaches and techniques.
The programme provides the ideal preparation for a research career. Many students go on to do a PhD, or to conduct experimental research in a wide variety of settings.
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
Earn your master’s in psychology online through one of the most affordable MS in Psychology programs available online.
Prepare to apply the latest psychological research and theory to real-world problems whether you choose to work in a community agency, in a healthcare setting, or within the educational or social services systems. Walden’s master’s degree in psychology prepares you to pursue exciting new opportunities in the field.
Walden’s Master of Science in Psychology online degree program offers 11 specializations so you can focus your learning on your interests and goals. Gain the knowledge and develop the skills you need to seek career advancement, help others, or prepare for doctoral-level studies. Open to students of all undergraduate backgrounds, this program provides a solid foundation in basic scientific methods and psychological principles. Our redesigned online master’s in psychology program now offers enriched content and streamlined coursework. Five of the specializations even allow you to accelerate your path to a PhD by applying credits earned from your master’s program.
As a student in the MS in Psychology online master’s degree program, you can learn to:
Graduates of our MS in Psychology online degree program will be prepared to:
Would you like to save time and money when you earn your PhD in Psychology? You can. If you enroll in one of the specializations listed below, you can apply credits from the MS in Psychology program toward a doctorate in psychology from Walden.
Credits you earn from all of the courses (with the exception of PSYC 6001) may be applied toward Walden’s PhD in Psychology degree program. The specialization you choose for your master’s program will determine which doctoral specialization will offer you the most transfer credits.
MS in Psychology Specialization
PhD in Psychology Specialization
Find detailed information for this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
Note on Licensure:
The MS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.
Walden's MS in Psychology program offers a variety of specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals.
The MS in Psychology program can prepare you to effectively analyze psychological research and theory to directly apply your knowledge to real-world situations. Through critical and independent analysis, you can gain an understanding of how to apply scientific methods and principles of psychology in a variety of roles and settings.
As a graduate of Walden’s MS in Psychology program, your career options may include a role as a:
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Possible career settings include:
This course is for those aiming to develop careers in research or enter subsequent training for a scientist-practitioner oriented career such as clinical or educational psychology. It is also designed to provide a basis for further postgraduate study (eg PhDs) and applications for research assistant posts.
You'll learn the skills and theory for conducting research. You'll have the opportunity to meet and discuss research with postgraduate students in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health. You'll also play a role in research with members of our academic staff.
You may also have the opportunity to be employed within the School of Psychological Sciences and Health as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
This course is designed to maximise research potential. It should provide a thorough grounding in research methods for anyone wanting to apply for a research assistant post, apply for doctoral study or enter training for a scientist-practitioner oriented career such as educational or clinical psychology.
As such, a significant proportion of time is devoted to allowing you to undertake a substantial research project, with one-to-one supervision and access to all the advanced research equipment in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health, and a focus on producing a thesis that it is potentially publishable in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
In addition, you'll complete training in the philosophy of social research methods, quantitative and qualitative research methods and research design over two semesters. These taught modules will provide essential training for the completion of the research project and for your subsequent career in research.
Specialist research equipment is available for use by our postgraduate students, including:
Taught classes are a mixture of tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practical sessions to facilitate your learning.
Each taught class has its own set of assessments including essays, reports, class tests, presentations and research proposals. The dissertation will cumulate in a thesis.
The course is primarily designed for graduates in psychology who wish to begin a career in research. It's ideally suited to someone who wishes to apply for a post as a research assistant or wishes to apply for doctoral study.
Previous students have been successful in receiving PhD funding from the University as well as externally funded studentships from a variety of sources including the Economic and Social Research Council, the Welcome Trust, the Carnegie Trust, and places at other universities.
The course also provides research training to those graduates who may wish to enter professional training for jobs which have a ‘scientist-practitioner’ underpinning such as clinical psychology.
Sample modules:
Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.
All of our MSc programmes are research intensive, providing essential training in analytical ability, methods awareness and critical thinking, among other fundamental transferable skills.
Our MSc Research Methods in Psychology programme has a long-standing reputation for preparing students to undertake PhD research and postgraduate clinical training. Our students have moved on to PhD positions, research assistant or assistant psychologist posts in the NHS and private sector, clinical training, as well as non-psychology positions in industry.
The MSc in Research Methods in Psychology is a full-time taught postgraduate programme run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The course is based on an initiative to provide interdisciplinary training in the social sciences plus advanced research training in psychology.
Over two semesters, students will take five compulsory modules, a research project module and two optional modules. These are taught through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Assessment comprises entirely of coursework; there are no exams. On average, class sizes range up to 80 students for lectures and 20 students for seminars.
The final three months of your course will be dedicated to a 15,000-word research project dissertation.
Further particulars regarding curriculum development.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.
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