Investigation and Analysis
This module covers research design; ethical practice in research and qualitative and quantitative approaches to research. You will evaluate research and develop the ability to conduct appropriate analyses to address research questions about human behaviour. The content of this module is essential preparation for the independent research project that is required to complete the Masters’ programme.
By completing this module you will be able to demonstrate an ability to design and critically evaluate research studies into human behaviour; demonstrate the ability to critically discuss qualitative research and be able to select, perform, interpret and report analyses appropriate to the research question being investigated.
Topics covered may include:
- Philosophical Background to research and investigation.
- Generating and exploring hypotheses and research questions
- Qualitative Approaches - for example: interviews and focus groups, dealing with qualitative data, transcription and analysis, approaches to qualitative methods
- Quantitative Approaches - for example: Assumptions and basics, descriptive stats and exploring your data, testing for effects, testing for differences (t-tests, ANOVA), testing for relationships (e.g., regression and correlation), non-parametric analysis (Chi Square and non-parametric ANOVA).
- Planning and Designing Your Study - for example: experimental design, questionnaire studies, and observational methods
- Presenting and evaluating research findings
- Practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with researching human behaviour.
