M47 Aspects of Experimental Psychology
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of current methodologies and concepts in experimental psychology.
By the end of this modules students are expected
- to be equipped with information to critically assess experimental research methods and findings.
- to be able to apply knowledge to their own research designs.
- to be able to interpret output from these experimental analyses.
- to knowledgeable about techniques of communicating results of experimental research.
Course Convenor
Dr Paul Sowden
Other Contributors
Professor Ian Davies, Professor Chris Fife-Schaw & others
Contact Hours
20
Required Prerequisite Study
None.
Completion Requirement
Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures and seminars. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 100 hours of study time in completion of the module.
Assessments
Assessment is via formal examination (50% of the final mark), and coursework (50% of the final mark). Coursework: students are required to select one experimental papers from an experimental journal. The paper should be specifically developmental or be on a topic with clear implications for development. The paper must be summarised (800 words) and critically evaluated (800 words). The abstract of the paper (along with its source) should be submitted to the Course convenor for approval of its suitability prior to embarking on the assessment. The journals are available in the Library and/or online via sciencedirect.com.
Suggested Reading
Fazio, R.H. (1990). A practical guide to the use of response latency in social psychological research. In C. Hendrick & M.S. Clark (eds), Review of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 11. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, (pp. 74-97).
Gazzaniga, M.S. (ed) (2000). The New Cognitive Neurosciences. (2nd edn) Cambridge, Mass.; London: MIT Press.
Hancock, P.A. (1999) Handbook of Perception and Cognition, Vol XVIII: Human performance and ergonomics. San Diego: Academic Press.
Slater, A. & Bremner, J.G. (eds) (2003) An Introduction to Developmental Psychology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Vincente, K.J. (1999) Cognitive Work Analysis. Mahwah, N.J.: LEA.