RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY - 2026/7
Module code: MANM383
Module Overview
The Research Methods module aims to help students develop an understanding of the research process and undertake research leading to the successful completion of their dissertation. It enables students to conduct research independently and provides them with the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to develop their dissertation proposal. The module covers ideas, techniques, and methods relevant to the different stages of the research process, emphasising the interdependence of each stage in conducting effective, coherent, and rigorous research. By addressing the fundamentals of research methods and methodology, the module equips students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to design and conduct independent research and to prepare for their dissertation.
Module provider
Surrey Business School
Module Leader
FAN Lanyue (SBS)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 105
Lecture Hours: 22
Seminar Hours: 5
Laboratory Hours: 6
Guided Learning: 12
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Research question development and literature review;
Questionnaire design and measurement;
Factor analysis and reliability tests;
Univariate descriptive statistics;
Bivariate analysis;
Simple linear regression analysis;
Multiple linear regression analysis;
Mediation analysis;
Testing hypothesis and reporting results;
An introduction to qualitative research methods.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate both the breadth and depth of their understanding of research methods theory and its application to research problems (through a real research project).
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
An individual assignment focused on the transfer of knowledge to practice, ensuring that students actively apply their theoretical knowledge to the analysis of research questions.
Formative assessment and feedback will be provided during lab sessions and seminars, during which students will be asked to solve real-world problems using the key research methods covered in the module.
Written feedback will be provided for the individual assignment, and verbal feedback will be given by tutors throughout the semester during lectures, lab sessions, and seminars.
Module aims
- Introduce the fundamentals of the research process
- Enable students to define a research problem effectively
- Provide students with hands-on experience in data analysis
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 003 | Conduct a review of the literature relevant to a stated research topic | KCPT |
| 004 | Choose and use an effective research method to answer a research question | C |
| 005 | Analyse data using SPSS and write up the results effectively | CPT |
| 001 | Explain the key stages of the research process and demonstrate the ability to perform them | CPT |
| 002 | Identify the attributes of a good research topic and transform research ideas into research problems | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The teaching and learning strategy for this module is designed to encourage students to think critically about the different stages of the research process and to evaluate various research methods and techniques.
A. The principal teaching and learning method consists of a lecture followed by a PC lab session or seminar, incorporating several elements designed to achieve the module learning outcomes.
Lectures delivered by module tutors are designed to develop students¿ understanding of the theory and principles underlying specific research methods. Lab sessions and seminars are designed to apply theory in practice and to translate acquired knowledge into practical skills.
To maximise student engagement and consolidate learning, lab sessions will focus on specific datasets and projects.
B. Students are expected to support the work undertaken during each lecture by completing a range of guided and independent learning activities:
Preparatory reading, with questions to guide their note-taking.
Follow-up exercises to consolidate their learning, where appropriate applying this to new situations, particularly through a project.
Guided further reading to enable them to extend their knowledge and understanding.
C. The University¿s virtual learning environment (SurreyLearn) will be used to support student learning by providing additional resources and links to relevant websites. PowerPoint presentations prepared by the lecturers will be uploaded to SurreyLearn prior to each lecture so that students may print copies in advance.
The ethos of this module is that students learn best when they become active participants in the learning process, and this principle is reflected in all elements of the module design. For example:
Students will be expected to participate actively in lectures and seminars through discussions and a range of structured activities.
Students will be expected to engage fully in all statistics practical classes held in the computer labs.
Not all elements of the curriculum will be covered in detail during lectures; students will be expected to undertake independent study to deepen their understanding.
Students will be expected to prepare for all lectures by completing the assigned pre-reading.
To achieve high marks in the assessment, students will be required to participate fully and apply their knowledge effectively in the research project. In particular, they should complete the preparatory work each week and read beyond the lecture notes and recommended textbook.
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: MANM383
Other information
Digital Capabilities
This module will enhance students¿ digital capabilities through training in quantitative research methods. Students will learn how to use SPSS to analyse numerical and categorical data and apply appropriate research methods to answer different types of research questions.
Employability
This module will improve students¿ employability by equipping them with transferable skills that can be applied across a wide range of industries and occupations (e.g., business management, human resource management, occupational and organisational psychology, market research).
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational and Organizational Psychology MSc(CORE) | 1 | Core | Each unit of assessment must be passed at 50% to pass the module |
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 2026/7 academic year.