Assessment tasks/questions:

1. Abstract of the paper and whether that informs about hypothesis, variables and findings

2. Introduction: Does the paper have a good literature review to the topic in question and is that been backed up on the reference list?

3. Method: How did researchers process the information they acquired as to preparing for the topic?

4. Results: Is there a decent representation of findings supporting the hypothesis coming out of the analysis of data?

5. Discussion: Main findings and discussion over them, including strengths, limitations and suggestions for future and/or replication of present research

6. Conclusion: Are there main points revisited?

7. References: Does the reference list include all references used in this research Guidance on answering assessment questions:

1. You read the abstract and look for the elements asked above; if not, abstract isn't complete and obstructs the reader to make sense of the main aspects about to be discussed

2. Introduction needs to be clear and exact to the topic; it should read together as what is the literature on the subject; problems with that; rationale for the study; hypothesis to be tested

3. Method needs to be clear as to how the topic has been studied, participants' recruitment, variables to be tested and according to which methodology

4. Results need to appear as clearly analysing data collected, e.g. application of numbers, whether in support or not of the hypothesis tested

5. Discussion: Do findings reflect on hypothesis and possible problems or elaboration of them?

6. Conclusion: Should had been written in terms of what was the topic studied; what was found; how this research could be better written? 7. References: Are they relevant to the topic? Assessment tasks/questions:

1. Does the abstract mention the purpose of research?

2. Does introduction provide same elements (similar to those above) with regards to the study of the topic?

3. What is the methodology employed to present the topic?

4. Does discussion explain how themes were acquired with examples taken from participants' responses?

5. Does conclusion mention main aspects of present research?

6. Are references relevant to the subject-matter of research?

Guidance on answering assessment questions:

1. Purpose of research in the abstract explains what is the topic and how is it going to be studied

2. Introduction has to apply knowledge about the subject in qualitative research

3. Methodology has to explain why particular qualitative pathway has been chosen for this piece of research

4. Discussion is a combination of themes and participants' responses: Do you see that?

5. Conclusion offers an understanding of the basic themes studied in this qualitative research

6. References need to be clear and self-affirmative to the topic studied Assessment tasks/questions:

1. Rationale of the proposal

2. Literature able to be used as a back-up for such proposal to be accepted as valid to be studied

3. Recruitment of participants, methodology and problems to be tackled

4. Evidence why such topic needs to be researched Guidance on answering assessment questions:

1. Write your rationale after you have studied well your chosen literature

2. Consider whether literature is enough for your topic and/or whether you need more back-up to do your research

3. Have you been able to carefully consider if the sample you have chosen to do your research is the right one in terms of age, interests and understanding of the topic?

4. Would you consider another topic if your chosen one is difficult to be studied? Your assessment tasks are designed to show that you can meet the learning outcomes of the module:

Through research methodology students will become familiar with:

1. The importance of research in counselling and psychotherapy

2. The context of research and principles of research

3. An understanding of research literature, concepts and ideas

4. Articulation of ethical issues in relation to research

5. The basic quantitative research methods

6. The basic qualitative research methods

7. Evaluating the outcomes of research In addition, students will be able to gain:

1. Knowledge in doing research in the talking therapy profession

2. A level of awareness as to the context-specificity of counselling and psychotherapy research

3. An understanding how to use the literature when doing research

4. Knowledge in the issues related to ethics in research

5. Knowledge how to use numbers as findings to understand your results

6. Knowledge of building up a new theory out of interviewees' responses

7. Knowledge regarding strengths and limitations of own research Module Content:

Week 1 (02/10/2014): Approaches to research and research design Week 2 (09/10/2014): Review of literature: Critically evaluating theoretical and research-based papers Week 3 (16/10/2014): Methods of data collection-questionnaires: Quantitative Week 4 (23/10/2014): Methods of data collection-vignettes: Qualitative Week 5 (30/10/2014): Interpreting findings using SPSS (quantitative) and MAXQDA (qualitative) Week 6 (06/11/2014): Data analysis from questionnaires and structured interviews Week 7 (13/11/2014): Identifying a research project: Choosing topic Week 8 (20/11/2014): Practicalities and dissertation planning Week 9 (27/11/2014): The role of supervisor in research Week 10 (04/12/2014): Writing a research proposal Week 11 (11/12/2014): Module Review & Assessment workshops and tutorials Week 12 (18/12/2014): Assessment workshops/Tutorials 8. Mapping of assessment tasks to learning outcomes Assessment tasks Learning outcomes A1 A2 B1 B2 B3 C1 D1 D2 Essay on quantitative research methods x x x x Essay on qualitative research methods x x x x Dissertation proposal x These are the grading guidelines used by lecturers when grading your assignments.

Please follow these to ensure you get good grades overall. Criteria Weighting % Grade 1st 2.1 2.2 3rd F Subject specific knowledge and understanding Knowledge Authoritative handling of complex material Demonstrates sound knowledge Satisfactory general knowledge of main issues Limited knowledge of course material Factual knowledge inaccurate Understanding Clear evidence of theory into practice Sound evidence of theory into practice Satisfactory evidence of theory into practice Little evidence of theory into practice No evidence of theory into practice Information Excellent range of relevant information Good range of relevant information Adequate range of relevant information Superficial use of relevant information Information not wholly relevant Critical analysis and thought development Analysis Attention to detail, precision of thought Logical, generally thorough Logical, but some lapses in attention to detail Lack of attention to detail, imprecise analysis Weak or little analysis Synthesis Clear arguments, clear justification Good arguments, good justification Adequate arguments some justification Descriptive with undeveloped arguments Lacks synthesis, statements only, no justification Sources Extensive and in depth Wide and in depth Adequate evidence of reading Limited evidence of reading Lacks evidence of relevant reading Structure Well structured and lucid Coherent soundly structured Reasonably lucid adequate structure Imbalance in given information Lacks structure Presentation Layout Sound organisation, correct use of guidelines Correct use of guidelines but with minor errors Adequate use of guidelines with minor errors Some major errors in use of guidelines Guidelines not followed Editing No errors Minimal errors in proof reading Some minors errors in proof reading Some major errors in proof reading Inadequate proof reading Referencing Referencing and annotation correct A few references and annotation incorrect Some references and annotation incorrect Several references and annotation incorrect Major errors or lack of referencing Written assignments: All assignments that need to be submitted are done through NewLearning and links into Turnitin. This is the official method for submission of all written assignments. Please see the Student Guide to the VLE for how to submit work. This is found on your course page on the VLE.