Psychology Dissertation module (PY40015)

Apply all your knowledge as a Psychological researcher, choose a research topic, and work with an experienced supervisor to set up a study.

This module allows you to collect data, analyse it, and present your results in an original piece of writing - your dissertation.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• carry out a full research project over two semesters
• identify interesting research questions in a given field
• pursue research questions independently
• apply for ethical approval
• collect and analyse data
• present research results and your interpretation in a write-up that resembles a typical research article, i.e. your dissertation
• be supervised by an experienced psychological researcher
• have the opportunity to approach staff with your own ideas in their field of expertise

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• showcase your broad understanding of how psychological research works
• identify interesting research questions in a given field
• effectively pursue research questions independently
• produce a piece of original research, fully documented in your dissertation

Assignments / assessment

• ethics application for research project
  • required but not marked
• progress report in Semester 1
  • required but not marked
• poster presentation in Semester 2
  • required but not marked
• dissertation 5,000-7,000 words (100%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

You will meet regularly with your supervisor to discuss and advance your research project individually.

Additionally, we provide lectures on critical topics, such as ethical and transparent approaches to Psychological research, and how to write a dissertation. We also offer regular drop-in sessions leading up to the milestones in your dissertation project.