UCL DIVISION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND LANGUAGE SCIENCES

Obligatory Modules

PSYCGR10: Statistics

This course provides a review of descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Followed by a detailed study of: analysis of variance, including planned and post-hoc comparisons, factorial designs and repeated measures; analysis of covariance; multiple regression; canonical correlation; multivariate analysis of variance; and, factor analysis and clustering techniques. The statistics package used is SPSS. This course is assessed by three online Moodle exams and one peice of coursework.

PSYCGR11: Empirical Projects

This is the central component of the programme. It involves practical applications of the skills acquired in the other components of the course.

• Over the first two terms, students design, execute, analyse, and report two group projects, working in small groups of three-five students. These are supported by tutorials in which students present their hypotheses and designs for critical group discussion prior to carrying out the studies. 
• The first group project is a course requirement, but doesn't contribute marks. Each group colletively analyses the data and writes up the report. The report is then peer-reviewed and, if necessary, revised in the light of that review. The second group project is individually analysed and written up.  The report is then marked in the usual way to give the final mark for the module.
• Over the rest of the year, students conduct their main research project.  The main Project can be carried out at institutions outside the department by arrangement, and under departmental academic supervision.

PSYCGR12: Philosophical Issues

This module gives students an overview both of the assumptions underlying Psychology, and of the major questions addressed by Psychologists. The course focuses on recent debates concerning the Philosophy of Mind, the relation between Social Theory and Psychology, and on methodological issues such as the nature of scientific method and its alternatives. Each lecture will be accompanied by core readings, consisting of original material from the relevant philosophical source. Students write one essay on some aspect of this topic.

PSYCGR13: Special Research Methods (Options)

In this course, specialists from a variety of fields in psychology discuss the methods used in their own research area. These methodological seminars are grounded by showing their application to a particular theory or issue in psychology.  Each option comprises five 1½ hour seminars, which include some practical work and demonstrations. Students select two options geared to their own research interests, and write an essay for each.

Within the PSYCGR13: Special Research Methods (Options) module, students choose two from four available lecture series and complete a written assessment on both.

Options available may depending on demand, currently offered options are:

• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology

PSYCGR14: Core Skills Portfolio

These seminars give students grounding in the skills necessary to complete the programme. These skills include: a critical awareness of different research methodologies; research evaluation strategies; meta-analysis; writing research proposals and reports; communication and presentation skills; ethical and legal issues; library use and literature search. These skills are developed through workshop-style seminars, the conduct of practical tasks, and constructive peer evaluation. Students' skills are assessed by their application in project work, and by the compilation of a portfolio of work, which includes: a web page, copies of a powerpoint presentation and a poster.  The module ends with a conference in the summer in which students present some of their research (attendance at the conference is a course requirement, but the presentation is not assessed).

PSYCGR15: Computer Programming

This is an introductory computing course which assumes no prior computing experience, and is intended to provide students with programming skills using Matlab. The objective is for students to acquire the formal structure of a high-level programming language, and emphasis is placed on the manipulation of data in the context of psychological experimentation. The course is assessed by the production of a computer programme.

PSYCGR98: Research Project

Optional Modules

PSYCGR16: Qualitative Data Analysis

This course introduces the main data-sources and analysis methods used in qualitative research. In addition to covering the key conceptual issues, a computer package for qualitative analysis is taught, as are further methods for data analysis. Students emerge with the skill of using a textual data analysis package. The strengths and limitations of various techniques are evaluated, with an eye to issues such as reliability and validity. The specific criteria used for evaluation of qualitative work are examined, as is its scientific status. The course combines lectures and practical work, and is assessed by a qualitative analysis.

PSYCGC20: Designing and Analysing fMRI Experiments

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to designing fMRI experiments and a basic introduction to analysing and interpreting the results.  In parallel with the lectures, students will complete a mini-fMRI project of their own design that will involve designing and implementing the experiment, collecting approximately two hours of scanning data, analysing the results and presenting the in a short Journal of Neuroscience style paper.  Each week will offer a 1.5 hour lecture and a 1 hour session aimed at reinforcing the lecture material via hands-on experience with real fMRI data.  The module is aimed at anyone planning to use fMRI in their own research.

Timetable
Full time students attend university for around three days per week in the first and second term. Part time students, completing the programme over two years attend university for two days per week in the first and second term of each year.  No formal teaching is scheduled in the third term, as this is intended for project work.

Programme Director: Dr Jenni Rodd

Teaching staff (NB: staff may occasionally be absent for a term or more on research or other leave)

• Prof Chris Barker
• Prof Chris Brewin
• Dr Helene Joffe
• Dr David Lagnado
• Prof Nancy Pistrang
• Dr Anne Schlottmann
• Dr Maarten Speekenbrink
• Dr John Wattam-Bell

In addition, we can call on the support of visiting lecturers, Teaching Fellows and Postgraduate Teaching Assistants.

Funding

Departmental Scholarships

UCL Scholarships

For information on general scholarship opportunities, please select the link below:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships/graduate

Application

Entry Requirements

For the MSc Research Methods in Psychology we normally require a good 2nd class honours degree in psychology or related subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Usually this means a 2.1 level or above, but additional relevant experience or qualifications are also taken into account when considering applications.

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Research Methods in Psychology at graduate level
• why you want to study Research Methods in Psychology at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Deadline for Applications

Application Process

The programme aims to equip students with the advanced training in research methods that will prepare them for a career involving psychological research with human and nonhumans.

First destinations of recent graduates include:

• Hackney NHS: Psychologist
• South London and Maudsley NHS Trust: Research Assistant
• University of Exeter: PhD Psychology
• Tavistock Clinic: Assistant Psychologist
• UCL: PhD Psychology
• St Vincent Hospital: Research Psychologist
• Institute of Psychiatry: Research Worker
• SW London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust: Assistant Psychologist