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PSY-10044 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

PSY-10044 - Answering Questions with Qualitative Data
Coordinator: Jenny Cole Room: N/A
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

How do we experience the world? Why do we behave the way we do? Qualitative research has a focus on developing explanations of the human world, for example how we feel or behave in certain situations. Understanding human experience and behaviour is at the core of psychology and helps us interpret and explain both individual and social phenomena. In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.
The module has a mix of bite-size interactive sessions focusing on guiding you into the theory and ethics of qualitative research, and practical labs where you get hands-on experience of collecting qualitative data.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to and develop students¿ understanding of qualitative research design covering research philosophy, ethical foundations, qualitative research questions and data collection strategies. The module also aims to prepare students for analysing data using qualitative research methods.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the main philosophical and conceptual approaches underpinning qualitative research and knowledge: 1
describe and discuss ethical issues related to various qualitative designs and data collection strategies: 2
design appropriate data collection to answer research questions using qualitative design: 1,2
design a qualitative project with an appropriate data collection strategy accounting for ethical considerations for the developed research question: 1,2

Study hours

Taught sessions 4h (4*1h)
Lab classes 22h (11*2h)
Asynchronous learning (e.g., lab prep) - 22h
Research proposal 25h
Ethics application 77h

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Research Proposal weighted 30%
brief qualitative research proposal
Students will submit a 500-word research proposal (using an existing pre-registration form) outlining their philosophical foundation, research question and data collection strategy.

2: Ethical Approval weighted 70%
ethics application
Students will submit a 1000-word ethics application for a qualitative research study (excl. extensive outline of analysis due to main teaching in year 2). The students will be encouraged to use the research they proposed for assessment 1 as they will have received feedback before the deadline of assessment 2. The application will include, rationale for research question, research question, rationale and support for data collection method, ethical considerations, proposed analysis method (briefly due to main analysis teaching in year 2) giving students an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the qualitative research design and application.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024