Course Catalogue

LJMU Partner Taught

1. To develop understanding of a range of qualitative research methodologies 2. To allow students to critically consider ethical issues in respect of qualitative research 3. To give students an understanding of, and an opportunity to practice, key qualitative techniques such as interviewing and facilitating focus groups 4. To develop an understanding of the use of tests of differences and relationships in psychological research 5. To provide practical experience of qualitative and quantitative analysis 6. To develop practical qualitative and quantitative report writing skills

Outline Syllabus:The module considers a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches in psychological research. It will introduce students to a range of qualitative research data gathering techniques such as participant observation, interviewing, and focus groups. The module will also consider tests of difference and relationships such as ANOVA. In workshops students will be given the opportunity to practice these techniques. Students will complete a quantitative research report and a practical qualitative report based on a piece of qualitative analysis that the teaching team have previously conducted. Students will be able to choose from some different topic areas in order that they can complete the piece of work in an area of psychology that interests them. In the Method section of the practical report, students will consider ethical issues relevant to their particular topic. This will help students to develop not only their report writing skills, but also their evaluation of ethical issues. This will assist students with their final year dissertation, and with the related ethics application process for their dissertation project. Completing a qualitative report also allows students the opportunity to develop their psychological literacy skills as the report requires students to engage in reflection of their own mental processes and their role in the research process. Also, giving students practical experience of conducting interviews and facilitating focus groups also helps develop confidence, communication skills, and interpersonal skills which are solid transferrable skills for the student's future career.

Additional Information:This module aims to give students an understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and to develop skills in different qualitative techniques and approaches. The module also introduces students to ethical issues that are particularly important to consider within qualitative research. In addition, the module gives students practice of writing a qualitative report and conducting a qualitative analysis in an area of interest. In addition, this module also allows students to develop their psychological literacy skills, by encouraging self reflection in the qualitative report, and a consideration of their own role in the research process. Also, giving students practical experience of conducting interviews and facilitating focus groups also helps develop confidence, communication skills, and interpersonal skills which are solid transferrable skills for the students future career.