PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN (ONLINE) - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module will provide you as a student with knowledge of designing research in a range of fields. The module will cover aspects of research design, including literature reviews, forming hypotheses and research questions, ethical conduct, and study design. The focus will be on quantitative and qualitative methods. You will be given a choice of topics in which you will develop an appropriate methodological approach to testing a question.

Module provider

SOL - Psychology

Module Leader

SOLTANLOU Mojtaba (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

This module will always be taught prior to taking the second summer semester

Module content

The module content will involve learning about different types of research methods, critiquing research, designing a study, conducting literature reviews and forming hypotheses, methodological and ethical issues, and research methods. It thus takes you through the whole process of designing a research study – from developing scientific hypotheses and/or research questions to designing a study to test these.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

Assessment combines group and individual elements: 


30% MCQ
70% individual research poster that develops a research design from one of the methods taught (at end of semester)
 

There will be weekly quizzes so that you can test their knowledge of the material covered. Many of the guided learning activities will include videos and sheets for you to check your answers and receive formative feedback.

Module aims

• Provide you with practical experience of research design and methods.
• Provide you with an understanding of recent research in psychology, including how to think critically about this research.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The core material will be delivered through recorded content and synchronous sessions (seminars) where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas. This will help you to get a solid background and understanding of all the stages of the research process.
In the seminars, you will form groups and work together to critique research methods in a range of psychology sub-disciplines. A supportive environment will encourage group discussion and interactions to share opinions and develop your ideas. Specifically, teaching staff will guide students to develop a method to answer a research question.  Formative feedback will be also offered during these sessions.
 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM173

Other information

In line with Surrey’s Curriculum Framework, we are committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module contributes to the five pillars in the following ways:
Employability (E): This module supports the your employability skills as it will help you to develop critical thinking skills, which will be highly relevant to employers. The poster will need to be presented in a way that is visually impactful. 
Digital capabilities (D): You will need to engage with several elements of digital skill during the course. You will also need to use on-line search engines to research academic journal articles for your assignments. The coursework also provides further digital learning opportunities using Microsoft word and PowerPoint. 
Global and cultural capabilities (G): The main focus of this module is to develop research skills. You will learn about a range of different theoretical and practical approaches present in the academic literature. This will include global and cultural aspects related to carrying out research. For example, we draw focus on how perception of issues associated with research ethics may vary across cultures; and how various psychological phenomena are culturally specific – and therefore must be considered in research design.
Resourcefulness and resilience (R): An important skill gained in this module is critical thinking skills – you will need to evaluate existing literature and develop new ideas which have not been previously examined – this will develop your resourcefulness. 

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.