MODULE SPECIFICATION

KEY FACTS
Module name
Module code
School
Department or equivalent
UK credits
ECTS
Level

Behavioural Research Methods: Design and Analysis

PEM104
School of Arts and Social Sciences
Departments of Psychology and Economics
15
7.5
7

MODULE SUMMARY
Module outline and aims
This module will provide you with the necessary design and analytical skills of the
competent behavioural scientist, including the typical forms these take in psychology and
economics, including econometrics. The objective is to provide you with systematic
knowledge of principles and a high level of competence in the practical skills of research
design and statistical analysis.
The aims are:
To gain a systematic understanding of research design and statistics
To acquire the conceptual and practical tools required for research work in economics
and psychology
To learn how to critique appropriately research on statistical grounds
To develop an in depth familiarity and competence with a statistical software package
Indicative Module Content (the order of lectures and the exact content will depend
on the availability of teaching staff in each term)
1. Introduction to quantitative research methods
2. Basic statistics and distributions properties
3. Introduction to R
4. Exploring data with graphs
5. Correlations
6. OLS Regressions
7. Logistic regressions, Probit
8. Comparing two means
9. ANOVA
10. Summary of statistics in behavioural research

WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE?

On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to
Knowledge and understanding:
Demonstrate a firm conceptual grasp of statistical facts and methods
Implement statistical evaluations with the help of a chosen software package
Critically evaluate and choose appropriate research tools to address a specific
research question
Skills:
Use competently a statistics software program to answer novel research
questions
Evaluate statistical procedures for a given data set
Present mathematical derivations of basic statistic formulas
Values and attitudes:
Demonstrate the value of proper analysis in answering real world questions
Discuss the importance of honest collection and analysis of data
Critically argue the importance of giving credit for previous work, citing sources,
and providing information on the data used and the research methods, for
duplication
HOW WILL I LEARN?
A variety of learning methods will be used. Chiefly among them will be lectures,
seminars, and laboratory applications (data analysis). Class participation is encouraged.
Laboratory work should be performed independently.
Teaching pattern:
Teaching
component

Teaching
type

Lectures
Laboratory/
practical
applications

Lectures
Laboratory/
practical
applications

Totals:

Contact
hours
(scheduled)
20
10

Self-directed
study hours
(independent)
80
40

Placement
hours
0
0

Total
learning
hours
100
50

30

120

150

WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT?

Assessments
Written examination: 2 hour paper (multiple choice questions).

Coursework: 3,000 word report based on analysis of data set.

Assessment pattern:
Assessment
component

Assessment
type

Examination

Written
examination
Written
assignment

Coursework

Weighting Minimum
qualifying
mark
40%
40%

Pass/Fail?

60%

Yes

50%

Yes

Assessment criteria
Assessment Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes you need to
demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully, and Grade-Related
Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes you need to demonstrate to
achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment. Assessment Criteria and GradeRelated Criteria for module assessments will be made available to you prior to an
assessment taking place. More information will be available from the module leader.
Feedback on assessment
Following an assessment, you will be given your marks and feedback in line with the
Assessment Regulations and Policy. More information on the timing and type of
feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module
leader.
Assessment Regulations
The Pass mark for the module is 50%. Any minimum qualifying marks for specific
assessments are listed in the table above. The weighting of the different components
can also be found above. The Programme Specification contains information on what
happens if you fail an assessment component or the module.

INDICATIVE READING LIST

Andy Fields, Jeremy Miles and Zoe Fields (2012). Discovering statistics with R. Sage,
London.
Carter Hill, R. & Griffiths, W. E. (2011) Principles of econometrics. Wiley.
Coolican, H. (2009). Research methods and statistics in psychology. Routledge.

Version: 1.0
Version date: 01/09/2014
For use from: 2014-15
Appendix:
CODES
HESA Cost Centre
104
129

Description
Psychology and behavioural sciences
Economics and econometrics

Price Group
C2
D

JACS Code
C831
L140

Description
Research methods in psychology
Econometrics

Percentage (%)
50
50