Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research

Module title	Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research
Module code	PYCM002
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	20
Module staff

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	4	4	4

Number students taking module (anticipated)	60

Module description

The development of effective psychological treatments requires the practical application of clinical epidemiology using a range of methodological and statistical approaches. In this module you will gain an advanced applied understanding of the range of varied research methodologies required to establish a sound evidence for practice. This includes evidence synthesis, qualitative approaches, phase II feasibility designs, randomised controlled trials, observational and surveillance methods, health economics, process evaluations and implementation science methods. The majority of the module will be delivered across three terms by an online computer assisted learning package, supplemented by practical exercises to extend statistical knowledge and seminars to discuss relevant topics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to provide you with an advanced applied understanding of methodologies and statistics used in clinical epidemiological approaches to develop effective treatments which will be required if you undertake the Masters level clinical research dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Illustrate the range of methodological approaches and ethical issues used to develop an evidence base for psychological therapies
2. Critically evaluate ways in which different qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches combine in the development of psychological interventions
3. Apply and critically evaluate relevant frameworks (e.g. CONSORT, PRISMA) used to report study designs commonly employed in the development of evidence-based psychological treatments
4. Apply a range of advanced statistical methods commonly used in studies to develop and implement evidence-based psychological treatments research

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Acquire detailed, systematic and comprehensive knowledge of statistical and methodological approaches commonly used to develop and test evidence-based psychological treatments
6. Understand and apply, at an advanced level, essential principles in designing novel research, critically evaluate and analyse empirical evidence, and assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

7. Select and manage information, and competently undertake study tasks and practical exercises with minimum guidance
8. Manage your own learning using the full range of resources of the clinical discipline and with minimum guidance
9. Enhance skills in academic/scientific writing to a level commensurate to that required to get research published in peer reviewed journals

Syllabus plan

Content will be included to introduce an understanding of the main methodological and statistical approaches used to develop an evidence base for psychological therapies. Teaching content will include:

Methodological Approaches - Introduction to applied clinical epidemiology, evidence synthesis including systematic reviews, meta-analysis, meta-synthesis; focus groups, semi structured interviews, consensus techniques; phase II feasibility study designs, randomised controlled trials; single and multiple case designs, CONSORT and PRISMA guidelines to evaluate and report randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews; health economics; clinical research ethics.

Statistical Approaches - summarising data, inferential statistics, comparing continuous, dichotomous and survival data, correlations and regression, standardised mean differences, odds ratios, calculating sample size, ANCOVA, minimally important clinical differences, standard effect sizes.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
45	155	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	30	Computer Assisted Learning a CAL package will support student learning across areas of course content. It will be supported on demand from the electronic learning environment to deliver module content
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Lectures these will be digitally recorded and available on demand from the electronic learning environment to support module content
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	5	Tutorials these will be organised in small groups and delivered by virtual classroom to help apply learning
Guided independent study	80	Reading and research
Guided independent study	45	Reading, preparation and writing of project proposal
Guided independent study	30	Scheduled web-based practicals and activities located on the computer assisted learning package

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Web-based practicals	10 x 1 hour	2-3, 5-8	Online written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Research project proposal (this assessment must be passed; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme)	100	4000 words	All	Written and oral
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Research project proposal	Research project proposal	All	Four weeks from the date that feedback was provided

Re-assessment notes

One assessment is required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be the same as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within four weeks from the date that feedback was provided.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and as a consequence you will be failed in the programme and your registration as a student of the University will be terminated.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Core reading:

Kirkwood, B. and Sterne, J. (2003). Essential Medical Statistics. Oxford: Blackwell.
Wang, D. and Bakhai, A. (2005). Clinical Trials: A Practical Guide to Design, Analysis, and Reporting. London: Remedica.

Key words search

Methodology, statistics, research methods

Credit value	20
Module ECTS	10
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	23/01/2015
Last revision date	23/01/2015