QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS - 2026/7
Module code: PSYM064
Module Overview
This module introduces students to the core principles and practices of qualitative research and provides the skills needed to design, conduct, and critically evaluate a small-scale qualitative project. Students will learn a range of qualitative data collection methods and analytic approaches, and will develop an understanding of how these methods are applied within psychological research.
The module is suitable for those with little or no prior experience, while also offering opportunities for more experienced students to deepen their knowledge. Advanced captured content on SurreyLearn enables students to explore additional analytic methods, and those with prior experience are encouraged to extend their practical skills by applying a new analytic procedure in their project.
Students will also develop reflective skills to consider how their cultural background, social identity, gender, experiences, and prior knowledge influence data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The module prepares students to undertake a qualitative dissertation project, should they choose to do so.
Module provider
Psychology
Module Leader
TUNKS Alice (Psychology)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 3
Independent Learning Hours: 92
Lecture Hours: 22
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Principles and practices of qualitative research
- Epistemology and ontology
- Collecting qualitative data
- Analysing qualitative data including using Reflexive Thematic Analysis
- Involving lived experience in qualitative research
- Ensuring quality qualitative research
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | RESEARCH REPORT | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
If a student is unable to work in a group (due to non-engagement or ECs) they will complete the work individually.
Assessment Strategy
The summative assessment for this module consists of a research report.
The research report is used to summarise the students' ability to conduct and write-up a small qualitative research project. Students are also asked to provide a critical reflection on what they brought to the research project that may have impacted on how they approached it, and how they shaped analysis. Whilst data analysis and writing of the research report is done independently, students will work with peers to develop interview schedules. Alongside the research report students will be assessed on the process of developing the analysis.
The formative assessment for this module consists of an opportunity to present preliminary analysis and receive feedback to inform the research report.
Module aims
- Provide students with the foundational knowledge to understand the principles and practices underpinning qualitative research
- Give students the digital literacy skills to conduct and analyse a qualitative project.
- Increase students' ability to appreciate and reflect on how their own cultural background, social identity, gender, previous experiences, and prior knowledge can shape data collection and analysis, as well as individual sense-making.
- Foster and encourage students' resourcefulness in applying knowledge learned about the practices and principles of qualitative research to designing and conducting their own qualitative research project.
- Enable students to develop, demonstrate and apply research skills by engaging with key aspects of the research process such as recruitment; data collection, analysis and report writing.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 003 | Design, run, analyse and write up a small-scale qualitative research study, utilising module knowledge. | KCPT |
| 004 | Critically evaluate qualitative research using appropriate evaluative criteria | CPT |
| 005 | Reflect critically on how their own cultural background, social identity, gender, previous experiences, and prior knowledge can shape data collection and analysis, as well as individual sense-making. | KCPT |
| 001 | Understand the key principles and practices underlying qualitative research in psychology | KC |
| 002 | Understand and demonstrate the interpersonal skills required to conduct a good quality semi-structured interview | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Provide students with the foundational knowledge to understand the principles and practices underpinning qualitative research
- Give students the digital literacy skills to conduct a qualitative project.
- Increase students' ability to appreciate and reflect on how their own cultural background, social identity, gender, previous experiences, and prior knowledge can shape data collection and analysis, as well as individual sense-making.
- Enable students to develop, demonstrate and apply research skills by engaging with key aspects of the research process such as recruitment; data collection, analysis and report writing.
The learning and teaching methods include lectures, workshops and drop-in sessions, each designed to support students in conducting their projects. There will be opportunity to receive formative feedback to inform students assignment.
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: PSYM064
Other information
The School of Psychological Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience.
This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Employability: The learning aims and assessments are designed to develop students' employability skills, in particular abilities in the areas of personal reflexivity, critical evaluation, communication and team-working. It is expected that students will work with peers on the development of their interview schedules, developing strong interpersonal skills that supplement their learning, in support of their own independent research. The research report also includes the task of conducting an interview, which will also help develop interpersonal skills, in particular the ability to listen empathically, to understand other people's perspectives, the importance of non-verbal communication and how to ask open and sensitive questions. Students will also be helped to further develop skills associated with personal reflexivity, including attentiveness, empathy, carefulness, sensitivity, respect, honesty, reflection, conscientiousness, engagement, awareness, and openness. Enhancing skills of personal reflexivity will enable students to reflect on their own strengths and difficulties, as well as to learn from their experiences to promote their own self-development.
Digital Capabilities: As with all modules, students are expected to engage with online material and resources via SurreyLearn, and other digital platforms. Students will be asked to view digital learning material (guided participation) in advance of lectures and workshops. Students will be trained to use NVivo. Students can use digital platforms such as PowerPoint or Canva to present their analysis for formative feedback. Students will be encouraged to utilise AI for visualisations and will be directed to MyAI Surrey as appropriate.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: Working with other students in workshops and to develop the interview schedule will provide students with an opportunity to interact, communicate and build relationships with people from different backgrounds. They will also be involved in interpreting the sense-making of participants who will be impacted by their own cultural backgrounds, gender, sexuality, social identity, and experiences. As reflexivity is a key skill for qualitative researchers, students will be encouraged to share experiences and knowledge from their own culture and background which may impact on how they interpret the sense-making of their participants.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: The learning, teaching and assessment strategy for this module has been designed to encourage active participation, peer support and reflective engagement. Students will draw upon individual resourcefulness. They will be required to take their initial learning on the module and apply it to design and conduct their own project. Students will be encouraged to self-evaluate and reflect on their analysis through formative feedback, which provide an opportunity for students to learn from this experience, building confidence and self-efficacy. Formative and summative assessments are designed to 'feed forward' to the production of the final research report and to their dissertation if they choose to use a qualitative approach.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Psychology MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Clinical Psychology and Mental Health MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Social Psychology MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Behaviour Change MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Environmental Psychology MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Psychology in Game Design and Digital Innovation MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required 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.