University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USPJF3-60-M Title: DISSERTATION IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Version: 4

Level: M UWE credit rating: 60 ECTS credit rating: 30

Module type: Dissertation

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Psychology

Valid from: September 2004 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

      • Carry out a critical literature review in a chosen area of health psychology. Identify and locate a research question within that area

      • Select and defend an appropriate methodological approach to the research question

      • Design a research protocol

      • Plan and execute a piece of independent research

      • Analyse and interpret the data collected and defend both the analysis and interpretation

      • Critically locate the research findings against published work

      • Produce a written report of the research demonstrating an indepth understanding of the chosen area of study

Syllabus outline:

Specialist area of study within health psychology selected by the student with the advice of a supervisor.

Research methods advice appropriate to the selected area of study

Research communication principles

Programme of research seminars and invited speakers in health psychology

Teaching and learning methods:

Each student will be allocated a dissertation supervisor. Supervision will be on an individual basis and there will also be small group meetings as appropriate. A programme of regular supervision sessions (minimum of eight) will be planned with each student who will be encouraged to prepare work for discussion at each meeting. Once the research question and protocol are established a research timetable will be agreed with each student.

A programme of research support workshops will be offered in particular research approaches, data analysis and research communication, as appropriate.

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.

Bensley, A.(1998) Critical Thinking in Psychology: A Unified Skills Approach. International Thomson Publishing, London.

Breakwell,G.M., Hammond,S. and Fife-Shaw,C.(1995) Research Methods in Psychology. Sage, London.

Giltrow, J. (1995) Academic Writing. Baltimore, Ontario.

Graziano, A.M. and Raulin,M.L. (1993) Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry. Harper Collins, New York.

Hayes, N. (1997) Doing Qualitative Analysis in Psychology. 1997. Psychology Press, Hove.

Kirkpatrick, L. A Simple Guide to SPSS for Windows 6.0, 6.1, 7.0 and 7.5. 1998. International Thomson Publishing, London.

Luey, B. (1995) Handbook for Academic Authors. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Marshall, C. and Rossman, G.B. (1989) Designing Qualitative Research. Sage, London.

Morse, J.M. (Ed) (1997) Completing a Qualitative Project:Details and Dialogue. Sage, London.

Morse, J.M. (1997) Qualitative Health Research. Sage, London.

Mitchell, M. and Jolley, J. Research Design Explained. Third Edition. 1996. Harcourt Brace, New York.

Richardson, J.T.E. (Ed) Handbook of Qualitative Research Methods for Psychology and the Social Sciences. 1996. BPS Books, Leicester.

Rosnow, R. Writing Papers in Psychology: A Student Guide. 1997. International Thomson Publishing, London.

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: %

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

DISS

Masters dissertation assessed by dissertation – (15,000 words)

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

   

   

     
 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) No

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

DISS

Masters dissertation assessed by dissertation – (15,000 words)

1

 

NB: A student is only allowed one opportunity to resubmit a masters dissertation

  
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

     
     
     
 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Back to top