PSY7068 Health Psychology Dissertation, Birmingham City University

Assessment Overview:

Coursework – Written Research Report – 65% of 60 Credits
This item will assess LOs 3-6.

A Research Project provides vital knowledge and skills training in research methods. The aim of a research project is to undertake a primary piece of research, including the collection of data in a real-world setting, and analyse it in the context of reviewed literature. Its purpose is to provide an answer to an unanswered question using the most appropriate designs and methods.

Assessment 3 of the dissertation module requires you to design, carry out and report a piece of original research. The research report will need to show good understanding of ethical issues relevant to psychological research in health, as well as the ability to collect and analyse data.

The research must be reported in the style of a British Journal of Health Psychology article and must be 5000 words long. 

Learning outcomes (LOs) and assessment criteria specific to this assignment:

1 . Rationalise an independent research project that is clearly based on a comprehensive critical review of relevant literature and methodologies.
2.  Appropriately apply BPS, HCPC and BCU ethical policies and codes of conduct when carrying out psychological primary research in health.
3.  Collect and analyse data using appropriate techniques.
4.  Effectively communicate knowledge in a scientific manner including the ability to critically evaluate primary and secondary research findings

Transferable skills

This assessment will assist in development of the following transferable skills:

Transferable Skill 1: Independence 

•    The dissertation module is assessed by a systematic review and an independent psychology research project, which you are expected to design, conduct and write up independently with guidance from your supervisor. The dissertation primary research project is your own research project; therefore, you will be looking to work independently.

Transferable Skill 2: Critical thinking and problem solving

•    You will need to analyse existing literature critically and systematically in your chosen topic area in order to identify a gap in knowledge. You must then use the skills and knowledge you have gained to “problem solve” (address the gap you have identified) and design appropriate empirical methodology to answer your research question. Once you have completed your study, you must then critically evaluate your own work – the discussion section centres around a critical discussion of your findings, how they relate to previous literature and theory, what worked well and what could be improved, and what questions remain unanswered. Being able to think critically and systematically throughout all stages of the dissertation is key to success, and this is something which should not be overlooked when discussing critical thinking and problem solving in relation to job applications.

Transferable Skill 3: Self-awareness

•    The dissertation requires you to be aware of your own skills and abilities at various stages. Self-awareness is critical in planning your project as you need to ensure that you are planning something that you are capable of, both in terms of your skills and abilities but also in terms of the time you must complete the project and your own time management.

Transferable Skill 4: Teamwork

•    The dissertation is largely an independent project, but you will be encouraged to work as a team of researchers within the Department of Psychology and across the university when using things like equipment and lab spaces on campus and when interacting with your dissertation supervisor. These resources are limited, and you will need to consider other peoples’ needs as well as your own. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your dissertation and your progress with your peers, both in person and online and can use the experiences and knowledge that others in group have to inform your own ideas and plans.

Transferable Skill 5: Communication

You will need to utilise your verbal and written communication skills in discussions with your supervisor about your ideas and plans for your research.  You will need to be able to vocalise and summarise your reading and the resulting rationale for your research, as well as the findings and implications in supervision sessions. The primary dissertation research will assess your written communication skills in terms of the rationale, process and dissemination of your research design and findings.  You will additionally need to communicate the purpose and ethical issues involved in your research to your participants and in the assessment.

Transferable Skill 6: Ability to work under pressure

•    The dissertation is without doubt the largest piece of work you will complete whilst studying for your degree. The module will require you to be able to work on your systematic review and primary research project at the same time, and to prioritise tasks with competing deadlines. You will need to employ excellent timekeeping for completing your reading and writing tasks in order to organise your time effectively so that you are not too stressed.

Transferable Skill 7: Planning and time management

•    It goes without saying that the dissertation requires an immense amount of planning and time management from the beginning of the module through to your final submission date. The dissertation sits alongside your lectures and assessments for your other modules and runs throughout the academic year. As such, you will need to be able to manage your time effectively in order to manage competing deadlines and stick to the advised timeline for the module. It is very important that you refer to the weekly tasks list on the Moodle site to ensure that you are completing the reading and writing for each week so that you do not fall behind.  Because research, whether primary or secondary, requires a series of steps to be carried out, and each step builds on the previous step, it cannot be rushed or ‘crammed’.  If you fall behind, it will be very difficult to catch up again.  If you do not put enough time and effort into each stage, the subsequent stages will be more difficult to complete to a high standard.  This is one of the primary challenges of the dissertation module assessments, and you will need to be able to manage this in order to succeed.

Transferable Skill 8: Leadership

•    You are the principal investigator in your dissertation and are leading your own projects. You will be required to build professional working relationships with academic staff including your supervisor (who you will effectively have to manage), your module leaders, administrative and technical staff and other members of the research community within the department, as well as your participants. You will need to manage your relationship with relevant parties and lead your participants through your study carefully, manage your data following the ethical guidelines of BCU and BPS, and lead the discussions regarding your project with your supervisor.