Psychology and Law Research Project
| Module title | Psychology and Law Research Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3910 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Rebecca Helm (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
The Psychology and Law Research Project module gives you the opportunity to undertake an internship in the Law School’s psychology and law research lab, and to develop and complete a research project based on this work. Work in the lab will consist of collecting and analysing data in psychology and law focused research projects, for example examining testimony evaluation or the use of forensic science expertise in the criminal justice system, or designing effective legislation to target fake news. In term two, you will draw on your work in the lab to develop and complete your own research project, with appropriate supervision, and will draft a research paper detailing your work and findings.
The module will allow you to develop your individual independent research skills; to obtain a good knowledge of the issues pertaining to research in psychology and law; to develop your abilities to explore legal and/or socio-legal issues in-depth; and to present legal/socio-legal arguments and opinions in relation to your chosen area of law/socio-legal study through fieldwork or other relevant study.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the Psychology and Law Research Project is to give you the opportunity to work in a research environment and to draw on your experiences in this research environment to develop and complete a research project. This is different from a traditional doctrinal dissertation that is closely linked to the study of specific legal rules and / or principles. The aims of the project are to enable you to develop individual independent research skills, to obtain a good knowledge of the issues pertaining to your placement or experience, to develop your abilities to explore legal and/or socio-legal issues in-depth and to present legal/socio-legal arguments and opinions in relation to your chosen area of law/socio-legal study through fieldwork or other relevant study.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the issues which form the basis of the research project subject matter;
- 2. demonstrate an ability to reflect on your learning from the psychology and law lab;
- 3. demonstrate an ability to apply skills and knowledge of the law in a research environment;
- 4. handle and analyse legal and/ or socio-legal research data and materials.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. demonstrate the ability to conduct effective research and to critically evaluate your internship experience
- 6. demonstrate knowledge of legal concepts; provide detailed knowledge of the academic background to your experiential learning.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. organise independent study;
- 8. demonstrate an ability to research;
- 9. digest and organise relevant materials and use these cumulatively in the preparation and presentation of a research paper.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics.
In term 1, you will undertake an internship in a psychology and law research lab in the University of Exeter Law School. As part of this internship you will receive training in research methods, applying psychological theory and research to the law, and basic data analyses. You will be involved in a current project in the lab and will be actively involved in research work, including data collection and analysis.
In term 2, you will continue to work in the lab and will draw on your experience in order to develop and complete your own research project with support from the lab director. You will receive training in the choice of research project topic and dissertation skills. You will work on your own project throughout term 2, culminating in the production of a research report and research poster.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 290 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 5 | 2 x 2.5-hour introductory seminars on psychology and law research, with a focus on research methods and general protocols for working with data, e.g. ethics. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 2 | Introductory lecture on choosing a research topic and research skills. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 3 | Regular tutorials to guide and monitor the student's progress and offer appropriate supervisory advice where deemed necessary. |
| Guided Independent study | 290 | Work in the research lab, and developing and completing own project. To typically include: independent research and literature review (80 hours); research project design and piloting (40 hours); data collection (80 hours); and data analysis, interpretation, and communication with practitioner partners (90 hours). |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research reflection paper on term 1 work (to include introduction, methods, results, and discussion section). | 1500 words | 1-9 | Individual written and oral feedback |
| Research plan | 1000 words | 1-4,7-9 | Individual written and oral feedback |
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 report | 75 | 4000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Research poster | 25 | 1000 words equivalent | 1-4,7-9 | Written feedback |
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 report | Research project report (4000 words) | 1-9 | August/September Reassessment Period |
| Research poster | Research poster (1000 words equivalent) | 1-4,7-9 | August/September Reassessment Period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
University of Exeter, School of Law Students' Guide to Legal Writing and Dissertation Guidelines
- M Salter & J Mason, 'Writing Law Dissertations' (Longman Pearson 2007)
- Clinch, P, Using a law library: a student's guide to legal research skills, London: Blackstone, 2001
- Cane and H. Kritzer, The Oxford Handbook of Empirical Legal Research (Oxford: OUP, 2012)
- Bloch F, The Global Clinical Movement: Educating Lawyers for Social Justice (Oxford University Press, 2010)
- Finch E & Fafinski S, Legal Skills (Oxford University Press, 2015)
- Giddings J, Promoting Justice through Clinical Legal Education (Justice Press, 2013)
- Pleasence P & Balmer NJ, ‘Mental Health and the Experience of Social Problems Involving Rights: Findings from the United Kingdom and New Zealand’ 16(1) (2009) Psychiatry, Psychology and Law.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefing on Improving Witness Testimony: https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/POST-PN-0607#fullreport
- Fair Trials International, The Disappearing Trial: https://www.fairtrials.org/publication/disappearing-trial-report
- Psychology and Law Resources: https://sites.google.com/site/teachpsychlaw/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 22/01/2021 |
| Last revision date | 19/04/2021 |
