University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USPJG7-20-M Title: Research Methods in Counselling Psychology
Version: 4
Level: M UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Psychology
Valid from: September 2007 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
At the end of this module students will have:
• Systematic understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Comprehensive awareness of the appropriateness of quantitative and qualitative methods in relation to counselling psychology.
• The ability to critically evaluate research within the context of counselling psychology.
• Comprehensive understanding of key research concepts.
• The ability to write a research design based on a given research question.
Syllabus outline:
The module will contain a wide range of research methods:
Validity, reliability, sampling and generalisability in quantitative and qualitative research.
Interviews, focus groups, diary techniques, ethnography, grounded theory.
Describing, structuring and analysing data.
Teaching and learning methods:
A series of framework setting lectures.
Interactive, tutor-led workshops.
Research examples will be used to generate discussion and the development of critical awareness.
Teaching will be predominantly problem-based so that students will have opportunities to re-design existing research and to generate research approaches to given examples.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Breakwell G.M., Hammond S., Fife-Shaw C. [eds. 1995] Research Methods in Psychology London, Sage.
Cresswell J.W. [1997] Qualitative Enquiry and Research Design London, Sage.
Darlington Y and Scott D [2002] Qualitative Research in Practice Maidenhead, OUP
Hayes N [ed. 1997] Doing Qualitative Analysis in Psychology Hove, Psychology Press.
McLeod J. [2003] Doing Counselling Research 2nd.ed. London, Sage.
McLeod J. [2001] Qualitative Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy London, Sage.
McLeod J [1999] Practitioner Research in Counselling London, Sage.
Myers J and Well [2003] Research Design and Statistical Analysis London, Lawrence Erlbaum
Phillips N & Hardy C [2002] Discourse Analysis: Investigating the processes of social construction London, Sage.
Toukmanian S. & Rennie D. [eds. 1992] Psychotherapy Process Research: Paradigmatic and Narrative Approaches London, Sage.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50 %
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A Element weighting
EX1 |
Examination including evaluation of one qualitative and one quantitative research study (2 Hours) |
1 |
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Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
ES1 |
Research Proposal (3000 words) |
1 |
| ||
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|
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Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes?) No
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX1 |
Examination including evaluation of one qualitative and one quantitative research study (2 Hours) |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
ES1 |
Research Proposal (3,000 words) |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required - No
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)