Masters | Postgraduate Course - Psychological Research Methods MSc Course Details within University of Stirling

MSc 1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)

The Psychological Research Methods course is designed for students interested in an academic research career. The course aims to facilitate students' understanding of Psychology in both breadth and depth. The teaching at Stirling emphasises the importance of systematic empirical research, whether quantitative or qualitative, in the laboratory or in the field, as appropriate to the problem at hand. Students are encouraged to develop a critical approach to the subject, asking what methods are appropriate for investigating any given question.

Career Opportunities
This course is primarily designed for those going on to do further research in Psychology, and most past students have gone on either to do a PhD or become a research assistant. Training in research methods is also highly valued by those who move on to other kinds of career, for the insight given into the interpretation and analysis of all forms of data.

Please see our website for a full list of MSc courses available:
http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/index.php

Course Overview
The course aims to provide training for those wishing to go on to do a PhD or other further research in Psychology. Most of the formal classes take place in the autumn semester, with the spring semester allowing time for an external Research Placement and final Research Project. The aim of the course is not simply to present a body of information required to pass an exam, but to introduce ideas and support students in finding out more about those areas of research that catch their interest. It is quite a practical course, with opportunities to rehearse all the skills needed to conduct and report about research. 

Course Design
The course is modular and flexible, offering a variety of opportunities and module choices along the way. There are eight core modules:

* Psychological Research Methods I and II
* Key Skills for Psychology Researchers
* Advanced Statistical Methods
* Qualitative Research Methods
* Key Skills for Human Science Researchers
* Research Methods in Cognition and Neuropsychology OR
* Perspectives in Health Psychology
* Research Placement OR
* Approach to Illness, Disability and Coping
* Research Dissertation Project
 

First or second class Honours degree in Psychology or a related discipline.

English Language Requirements: If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

MSc Bursaries are available for 2011/12:
http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/index.php

70% of the department's research was recognised as being of a quality that is internationally recognised in terms of originality, significance and rigour in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008.