ACADEMIC RESEARCH TRAINING - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module equips students with the skills to design and undertake academic research in psychology, in preparation for developing their own dissertations. The module will cover key aspects of research design, including literature review, forming hypotheses, ethical conduct, and study design and methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Students will propose a study design; implement the study via small-scale data collection and analysis; and present and discuss the findings in an individual research report. 

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

RATCLIFFE Eleanor (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Students may not select both PSYM147 and PSYM130 as optional modules. Where the option exists, they may select only one of these modules.

Module content

The module content covers key topics in the journey from designing to implementing a research study. These include conducting a literature review and developing a research question; designing a study and forming hypotheses; quantitative and qualitative research methods; consideration of ethical issues and data management; and how to communicate findings. 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Group Research Proposal and Discussion:

• If a student has worked in their group to develop the proposal but is unable to participate on the day of the tutorial discussion due to short-term ECs (e.g., sudden illness), they will be required to meet with teaching staff in person at another time for a short discussion about the proposal. This discussion will be graded (pass/fail) as part of the overall group assessment, and the student will receive the shared group pass/fail mark.

• If a student is unable to work in a group on the proposal (e.g., due to non-engagement or longer-term ECs) they will be required to submit an individual research proposal and meet with teaching staff for an individual in-person discussion at an agreed date/time. The scope of the proposal and discussion brief will be adjusted to reflect the individualised nature of this assessment, and the student will receive an individual pass/fail mark. 

   

Individual Written Report:

The written report is an individual assessment, and an alternative to this format is not offered. However, the report is based on a research study that students will design and conduct in groups during the module. If a student is unable to work in a group (due to, e.g., non-engagement or ECs) then they may complete an independent research study adjusted in scope.

Reasonable adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis - please contact the module convenor to discuss as soon as possible and well before the assessment is due.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy prepares students for all aspects of designing and conducting postgraduate level research in psychology. During the module, students work in groups to design and implement a small-scale research study, including collecting and analysing data from their classmates. They then each write up the study independently.

There are two summative assessments covering Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7:

1. A short written group research proposal and participation in a group tutorial discussion with a member of the module teaching staff. Together, the proposal and discussion are graded pass/fail, and assess students' reasoning and decision-making regarding the chosen research questions, study design, and methods;
2. An individual written report (100% weighting) comprising an abstract, literature review, method (including ethical considerations), results, discussion, and references sections, and a record of the process of developing the assessment.

Feedback from Assessment 1 will inform the development of Assessment 2.

Students on MSc Psychology (Conversion) must design, conduct, and write up a study that uses qualitative research methods. Students on other programmes can choose a qualitative or quantitative method for their study.

Formative feedback will be provided through discussion with teaching staff in workshops/seminars throughout the module, to support students in developing their study design, implementation, analysis and individual reports. 

Module aims

• Provide students with practical experience of research design, methods, ethical reflection, and reporting
• Support students in developing understanding of recent psychological research on a chosen topic, including how to think critically about this research
• Enhance written and verbal communication skills through group work, presentation, report-writing and discussion

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Learning and Teaching Strategy:

Core material will be delivered through weekly lectures and seminars/workshops, and will equip students with a solid background understanding of all the stages of the psychological research process. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with teaching staff. They will receive guidance on how each week's lecture or seminar/workshop content can be applied to relevant sections of the assessment.

During seminars/workshops, students will work on a research proposal, preparation of study materials, and data collection/analysis. Teaching staff will provide formative feedback regarding, e.g., identifying a gap in the existing literature; developing a research question and hypothesis and designing a study to address these; methodological, ethical, and analytical considerations; and how to structure and write a psychological research report. A supportive environment will encourage group discussion and peer interactions to further develop ideas. Students will be expected to continue their group and individual work during their independent learning hours. The resultant student outcomes will be increased resourcefulness, confidence, and knowledge of the psychological research process.

Indicated lecture hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate.

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: PSYM130

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 students' employability by developing skills in critical thinking, discussion and verbal communication, team working, and individual report-writing.

Digital Capabilities (D)

Students will need to engage with several digital platforms or tools during the module, including but not limited to: the Virtual Learning Environment, SurreyLearn, to access course materials and submit assessments; online search/database tools to search for independently sourced reading; reference management software to organise their literature; communications software (e.g., via Microsoft Teams) to discuss their group research project and arrange meetings; and Microsoft Word (for report-writing) and Microsoft Excel and Jamovi (for data processing and analysis). In addition, all students have access to AI tools through the My AI Surrey platform to enhance their learning and develop skills in using AI tools effectively and ethically.

Global and Cultural Capabilities (G)

Students 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, students will reflect on conducting research that is internationally and cross-culturally relevant. They will be invited to, e.g., critically examine literature and research methods that traditionally focus on WEIRD populations, and to consider how wider communities can be better represented and included in knowledge production. 

Sustainability (S)

By engaging with the module content and exploring relevant literature, students will develop awareness of psychology's role in several UN Sustainable Development Goals, e.g., good health and wellbeing (Goal 3), gender equality (Goal 5) and reduced inequalities (Goal 10), sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11), responsible consumption (Goal 12), peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16), and partnerships (Goal 17). Students will also be encouraged to consider how environmental, social, and economic sustainability can be factored into psychological research design and methods.

Resourcefulness and Resilience (R)

This module encourages critical thinking skills. Students will need to evaluate existing literature and develop new ideas which have not been previously examined, thereby developing resourcefulness. They will also need to develop resilience in terms of trying new methods and tools in order to develop their research project, and learning through experience and practice.

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 2026/7 academic year.