Teaching of Research Methods in Undergraduate Psychology Courses: A Survey of Provision in HE Institutions and Colleges in the UK

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that systematic observation is an important research method, and hence should be a core element in psychology curricula. UK higher education institutions (HEIs) were surveyed about their psychological research methods teaching, and in particular observational research methods. The survey indicated considerable variation across responding HEIs in equipment availability, class size, and preparation and contact time, though there was a degree of consensus in the use of SPSS, identified learning outcomes and assessment strategies. Considerable interest was expressed for the provision of self-contained, relatively short, sets of materials teaching key features of observational research methods, with a preference for the inclusion of developmental psychology video materials. The parallels with the concept of ‘learning object’ are discussed.

‘You're in Cruel England Now!’: Teaching Research Ethics through Reality Television

“…Vallance (2004) notes that, even at the level of higher degrees, there is relatively little published material relating to the teaching of ethics to social science students. And a survey of HE institutions (Lewis et al, 2007) showed that only 10% of respondents reported that ethics were taught as part of year 2 psychological research methods.…”

“…Korn (1984) reported a content analysis of college-level introductory and social psychology textbooks, showing that many texts did not discuss ethics at all and, if they did, it was usually briefly. Vallance (2004) notes that, even at the level of higher degrees, there is relatively little published material relating to the teaching of ethics to social science students, while a survey of United Kingdom HE institutions (Lewis, Oates, Martin, & Duffy, 2007) showed that only 10% of respondents reported that ethics were taught as part of Year 2 psychological research methods.…”

The use of Screen Recorders for Assessment and Learning of Data Analysis

“…Although research methods teaching in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) is known to vary in terms of equipment availability, class sizes and contact time, it appears, according to a nationwide survey conducted recently, that there is some consensus in approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. A large number of HEIs report using SPSS as the data analysis software of choice and have similar expected student learning outcomes and methods of teaching and assessment (Lewis, Oates, Martin, & Duffy, 2007).…”