The dissertation will include carrying out an extensive piece of empirical research, requiring students to individually demonstrate a range of research skills, which includes planning, consideration of necessary ethical issues, analysis and dissemination of findings.

Flexible by arrangement

None

Assessment

Dissertation/Research Report (80%) [40% supervisor grade, 40% second marker]

■ The research report should be no more than 10,000 - 12,000 words in length. The ideal length may be suggested by the supervisor.

Practical Skills (20%)

■ The student provides a 500-word reflection on the skills they have gained from the dissertation based on specific criteria within the ILOs (e.g., design, execution, analysis of the project, understanding of ethical/professional issues related to the research). This will be submitted alongside the dissertation.

■ The supervisor provides a grade based on the student's demonstration of specific criteria within the ILOs (e.g., design, execution, analysis of the project, understanding of ethical/professional issues related to the research) and the written reflection.

To develop in students the ability to plan a research project including developing and answering a research question based on literature based rationale, implementing sound methodological practices, carrying out suitable analysis and evaluating the impact of the study on the relevant field. The findings will be disseminated in a scientific document.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Develop a research question with a clear evidence-based rationale  

■ Use appropriate methodology and analytical techniques to answer the research question 

■ Assess the ethical and professional issues associated with conducting psychological research

■ Plan and execute a significant project of research

■ Write a scientific document based on the evidence they have gathered and their subsequent analysis of the data

■ Demonstrate clear understanding and interpretation of their findings and their impact on relevant fields 

■ Reflect on their skill development in the design, execution, and analysis of the project

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment. You must achieve a D3 or above in the overall dissertation grade for award of credit. For the award of BPS accreditation the overall dissertation grade must be a D1 or above.