PSY-40053 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module develops your knowledge and practical skills with contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience such as electroencephalography (EEG), eyetracking, and other contemporary methods. It prepares you to design, conduct, and critically appraise research using these methods. Lectures cover the theoretical background of the methods and, for several methods, you will gain hands-on experience with data collection, data analysis, and use of specialist software and equipment. The module will emphasise a framework which will allow you to understand existing methods and follow the development of new methods going forward.

This module aims to introduce students to advanced critical understanding of and practical skills for using contemporary research methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss a range of contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 2
critically evaluate psychology studies using a range of contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 2
design and conduct studies using a range of contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 2
develop a research proposal using appropriate methods to address a research question within cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 2
critically discuss advantages and limitations of a range of contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 1,2
explain how results from different cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience methods relate to and complement each other (including temporal sensitivity and spatial resolution): 2
use software tools for experiment control and data analysis within cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience: 1

Study hours

ACTIVE LEARNING HOURS: 30 hours to include:
- Scheduled Teaching Sessions: 24 Hours of interactive teaching, discussion, laboratory demonstrations, and practicals
- 6 hours of asynchronous content (approximately 30 minutes per week) to include introductory background lecture recordings, supplemental detail videos, background readings/exercises, discussion forum activity.
INDEPENDENT STUDY: 120 hours to include:
- 50 hours of wider background reading and engagement with module materials
- 30 hours of practical skills assessment preparation
- 40 hours of research proposal writing

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment