Description

Current Research Issues in Clinical Psychology

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module addresses current issues in psychological research methods used in clinical psychology. A series of research seminars and a weekly seminar hour allows for critical appraisal of these seminars, consequently requiring you to compose a number of thought papers on a selection of topics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to enable you to sample and learn from a wide range of examples of current research within a specific discipline, using the expertise of visiting specialists, Psychology’s academic staff, and advanced postgraduate research students. It aims to develop a critical awareness of the broad range of research methods available in the context of discussion of, and reflection on, larger issues of scientific method. It aims to develop expertise in critical analysis and research design and encourage the communication of ideas in a concise and engaging manner.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Discuss in detail the types of research questions that are being addressed in your specific discipline
• 2. Describe extensively current methods and their applications in your specific discipline
• 3. Summarise at an advanced level the problems that arise in research development across a range of topics

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a range of methodologies
• 5. Adequately relate specific research questions to appropriate methodology

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Engage in advanced critical analysis of research design
• 7. Discuss research with instructors and peers
• 8. Work effectively with others as a member of a group and meet obligations to others
• 9. Undertake independent learning and self-directed study (including good time management and the setting of appropriate deadlines, precise clarification of the aims and expected results of research, library use and website investigation)

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

You will be expected to attend research seminars relevant to your research stream. You will attend regular seminars typically organised for the clinical research group (Mood Disorders Centre (MDC)) and/or the psychedelics research groups; additionally, if relevant to Clinical Psychology, you can attend the social, cognitive and animal behaviour research group seminars or the termly school seminars. These seminars will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss research projects in progress. In follow-up sessions, you will engage in an in-depth group discussion and critical analysis of methods used in the research talks you attended that week. In the seminar, we will set up small discussion groups that work in parallel to ensure that clinical, psychedelic or other talks you attended are covered in our discussions.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit further assessments based on the table above. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Seminar speakers will provide you with a reading list

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Research, Research Issues, Clinical Psychology