MSc Research Methods in Psychology

at University of Plymouth

Year 1

With the supervision and guidance of world-class researchers and academics, you will acquire an advanced understanding of psychology that cuts across theory, methods and practice. Core modules provide the training on the core concepts and skills used in research and practice. This includes advanced instruction in data fluency, experiment design and the communication of research, and the role of qualitative and interpretative techniques in the application of psychology to everyday problems. A wide range of specialist techniques are offered as options, allowing you to build a suite of specific techniques required for your future career in research or practice clinical psychology, neuroscience, or behaviour change techniques.
 

Core modules

Personal and Professional Development (PSYC750)
This module will enhance students awareness of the transferable skills they possess, focus thinking about future employment, spur reflection on recent learning, and promote the effective use of feedback to enhance academic performance.
 

Asking Psychological Questions: Epistemology and Strategy for Formulating Psychological research (PSYC751)
This module explores what it means to ask psychological questions, what good research questions look like, the philosophical foundations of scientific enquiry, and how good research questions shape how we produce new knowledge. Practical exercises guide students to identify, critique and refine their own research questions.
 

Advanced Research Design for Psychology (PSYC752)
This module challenges students to engage with advanced concepts in psychological research design, and to critically evaluate current practices in quantitative research. Practical exercises guide students to operationalise their own research questions within a quantitative framework.
 

Data Fluency: Processing, Visualising and Analysing Data for Reproducible Research (PSYC753)
Become fluent with numerical and textual data. Learn practical skills to summarise, visualise, and communicate insights from quantitative data; become familiar with software for working with large datasets; and best practices for reproducibility and transparency in psychological science.
 

Advanced Techniques for Psychological Research (PSYC754)
Advanced coverage of foundational techniques and introductions to specialist techniques for collecting and analyzing psychological data.
 

Communicating Psychological Research (PSYC756)
This module teaches students to communicate their research, both in writing and orally by introducing the skills required to write journal articles, present conference papers and posters, review journal articles and write grant applications.
 

Success in Science (PSYC757)
Science is a collaborative, social activity. This module explores psychological evidence and practical strategies that will help students make an impact in academic and professional life.
 

Advanced Psychology Research Project (PSYC781)
This module requires students to undertake an original project in an area associated with their specialist area of interest. It comprises an independent piece of research work conducted by the student and written up as a research report.

Most students will hold an honours degree, usually a 2:1, preferably in Psychology but also in cognate subjects (e.g. computational neuroscience), although we would also consider applicants who can demonstrate their ability to thrive on this programme due to professional experience.
 

This programme provides a privileged route for students seeking to advance their knowledge of psychology. While well suited to students with a current background in the field we would also welcome applications from students from other backgrounds, such as education, humanities, social sciences, biology and other life sciences, pure science, and engineering.
 

English language requirements
 

If your first language is not English then evidence of English proficiency is required, with a normal minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency of 6.5. For further advice on the appropriateness of overseas qualification and proficiency in the use of English, please contact our International Office.

International - £15,700
 

The programme provides advanced training and experience that puts graduates at a competitive advantage in academic or professional psychological practice. Insight and instruction of core psychological research competencies provide a foundation for the exploration of the knowledge and skills specific to particular career-pathways. Selection amongst the wide-range of elective modules provides experiential-learning of advanced topics relevant to clinical practice, techniques in behaviour change, and human neuroscience. These options allow you to shape the psychologist that you want to become, with the skills and experience requisite for doctoral training, or immediate professional or commercial practice.