Psychological Research Methods

Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour and aims to explain all aspects of experience, from the neural substrates of thought to biases in social behaviour. As a result, psychology tends to be eclectic, drawing on scientific knowledge and methods from other fields to help understand behaviour. The MSc in Psychological Research Methods provides an introduction to this fascinating field.

‘The MSc Psychological Research Methods at the University of Stirling has been one of my most rewarding experiences to date… By the end of this MSc, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills set required to succeed in your future aspirations.’
Grant Walker, MSc Psychological Research Methods

Course objectives

The primary aim of the course is to provide advanced training as a preparation for a research career in Psychology. The course develops the theoretical understanding and practical and interpersonal skills required for carrying out research. Postgraduates are an integral part of our research community. Students are based in a dedicated MSc office, or within an appropriate research group, and allocated a peer mentor. In addition, each student is associated with an academic supervisor in Psychology. Our aim is to support students making the complex transition towards being an independent research scientist.

Entrance requirements

First or upper second class Honours degree in Psychology or a related discipline.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your  proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill), or  TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.

Funding

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of study

Full-time:
MSc: one year; Diploma: nine months

Part-time:
MSc: two years; Diploma:18 months

Course start date

September

Structure and content

The course consists of different modules designed to provide training in the fundamentals of Psychological Research Methods. We aim to be flexible in meeting personal training needs and students may select some alternative modules from other taught MSc courses at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

This course includes the following modules:

• Psychological Research Methods I and II: These modules cover a wide range of techniques used in research and demonstrate these techniques in relation to topics in a range of areas, including social, cognitive, comparative and developmental work
• Research Methods in Cognition and Neuropsychology: A series of seminars and practical classes covering the range of methods that are used to study issues in cognition, including computer-based modelling, neuropsychological methods for brain-injured patients and neuroimaging
• Advanced Statistics: The teaching is aimed at introducing the packages available to psychologists, at advanced methods such as multivariate statistics and at the rationale of using statistical methods
• Qualitative Research Methods: This module provides a broad but solid grounding in qualitative research methodology
• Key Skills for Psychology Researchers:This module focuses on the research process, including ethical conduct and disseminating research to both academic peers and non-specialist audiences.
• Research Placement: This month-long placement is carried out in January/February, allowing students to broaden their practical research experience. The placement may be external to the department and can be in a non-academic research environment.

The different modules emphasise different types of skills, from explicit hands-on demonstrations of tools, to discussion of different approaches to research. All our postgraduates are also expected to attend regular research seminars and relevant research group meetings.

Students are also encouraged to attend ‘Scottish Postgraduates in Psychology Research Training’ events in participating universities across Scotland.

Finally, for those who go onto the MSc:

• Research dissertation: Approximately half of your time is devoted to a research project, leading to a 12,000-word dissertation.

Delivery and assessment

Teaching is delivered using a variety of methods including tutorials, demonstrations and practical classes, but the majority is seminar-based. Students are typically taught in small groups in specialist classes, with first-year PhD students or other postgraduate students (for example, in modules from other MSc courses).

The individual module components provide 60 percent of the MSc grade, with the research dissertation contributing the remaining 40 percent.

Preparation

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Course Director

Professor David Donaldson and Dr Craig Roberts

RAE rating

70 percent of research in Psychology at Stirling was recognised as being of a quality that is internationally recognised in terms of originality, significance and rigour in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Our students

"The MSc in Psychological Research Methods at the University of Stirling has been one of my most rewarding experiences to date... By the end of this MSc, you will be equiped with the knowledge and skills set required to succeed in your future aspirations."

Grant Walker (MSc in Psychological Research Methods)

Find out more

http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/

Career opportunities

The course is designed for those going on to do further research in Psychology and most past students have gone on to do either a PhD or to be a research assistant. Training in research methods is also highly valued by those who move on to other kinds of career, due to the insight given into the interpretation and analysis of all forms of data.