Module Code: H7PLAB
Long Title Psychology Labs
Title Psychology Labs
Module Level: LEVEL 7
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: Caoimhe Hannigan
Module Author: Caoimhe Hannigan
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff

Lecturer with relevant postgraduate qualification in Psychology or related cognate discipline
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Understand how the scientific method is applied to research in psychology through conducting quantitative and qualitative experiments
LO2 Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data collected in the lab setting
LO3 Select, evaluate, and use literature appropriately to create clear and effective lab reports
LO4 Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to write effective psychology lab reports
LO5 Have knowledge of programs used in experimental psychology and expand knowledge on statistical procedures used in experimental psychology.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this module. The programme entry requirements apply.
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
The module will provide students with tuition and practical experience related to a range of core research skills, including:
Comparing and contrasting subjective and objective measures Determining construct and test validity of a psychological measure Statistical analysis of experimental data: between and within group designs Presenting and graphically illustrating descriptive data Constructing online surveys Processing survey data: dealing with missing data; reverse scoring items; determining internal consistency and reliability Thematic analysis of qualitative data Research report writing
Potential practical lab themes
Students will complete up to 5 practical labs across the module, which will cover both quantitative and qualitative research design
Indicative themes that may be used for these practical labs are listed below:
Biopsychological Stroop Task: Measuring attention: the Stroop Task Physiological measures of arousal: galvanic skin response Investigating relationships between physiological and behavioural measurements
Implicit Attitudes
Exploring conscious and unconscious associations Implicit Association Test
Working with reaction time data
The meaning of friendship Qualitative data collection and analysis Thematic analysis: Braun and Clarke method Coding datasets, generating codes, and identifying themes
Stress, Sleep and Health
Subjective measures of stress, sleep quality, and health Survey design and online survey development Investigating relationships between sleep, stress, and health.
Eyewitness Reports
Field experiments in psychology Questionnaire design Contribution of psychology to understanding eyewitness testimony
Cognitive Function
Using repeated measures design to explore performance decrements Proactive and retroactive interference n-Back test of working memory, dot probe, stroop tasks of attention
Impulsivity and risk taking
Tests which measure risk taking Combining within and between groups analysis of variance Decomposing complex interactions
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: CA 1 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: Week 7 Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Lab Report Book 1: This will contain minor lab reports based on experiments/studies conducted in practical classes during the first half of the semester.
Assessment Type: CA 2 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: Sem 2 End Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Lab Report Book 2: This will contain minor lab reports based on experiments/studies conducted in practical classes during the second half of the semester.
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Should students fail the module overall, they will be required to resubmit the failed continuous assessment components.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lab Psychology lab practical 24 Per Semester 2.00
Independent Learning research, reading and evaluating academic paper 101 Per Semester 8.42
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Pallant, J. (2020), SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS, Routledge, p.352, [ISBN: 9780335261543].
  • Kantowitz, B.H., Roediger, H.L., & Elmes, D.G. (2014), Experimental Psychology, Wadsworth Publishing, p.640, [ISBN: 9781111357993].
  • Findlay, B. (2015), How to Write Psychology Research Reports and Essays, 7th Ed. Pearson, [ISBN: 9781486010257].
  • Breakwell, G. M., Wright, D. B. & Barnett, J. (2021), Research Methods in Psychology, 5th edition. Sage, London, UK.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Tabachnick, B.G., & Fidell, L.S. (2013), Using Multivariate Statistics, 6th Ed. Pearson, Melbourne.
  • Hollander, M., Wolfe, D., & Chicken, E. (1999), Nonparametric Statistical Methods, 3rd Ed. Wiley, New York.
  • Stauss, E., Sherman, E.M.S., & Spreen, O. (2013), A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary, 3rd Ed. Oxford University Press.
  • Martin, D.W. (2008), Doing Psychology Experiments, 7th Ed. Thomson Wadsworth.
  • Sullivan, C. & Forrester, M.A.. (2018), Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide, Sage.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Taylor & Francis. Various, Journal of Cognitive Psychology, [ISSN: 2044-592X].
  • Elsevier. Various, Cognitive Psychology, [ISSN: 0010-0285].
  • Elsevier. Various, Biological Psychology, [ISSN: 0301-0511].
  • Taylor & Francis Online. Various, The Journal of Psychology Psychology, [ISSN: 1940-1183].
  • American Psychological Association, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, [ISSN: 1939-22].
Other Resources
Discussion Note: