Consisting of two placements, one in each of the autumn and spring terms, you become members of a research team working alongside other researchers (e.g. PhD students and Postdocs) under the guidance of the supervisor (research team PI).

You thus gain substantial experience of the research process and a develop range of practical skills. In contrast to the research project module, here students will not work on one particular project but will contribute to a range of ongoing projects at various stages of the research process. For example, they may be involved in stimuli creation (such as making and editing auditory recordings), testing participants, data coding, data analyses and aspects of dissemination (for example making posters for conference presentation).

There will be regular readings pertinent to the ongoing projects which will be discussed in supervision sessions. Some of this reading will be assigned by the supervisor however the student will also be required to seek out some pertinent literature, developing literature searching skills. The program of reading literature will ensure that the students have a good understanding of the purpose of the tasks on which they are engaged, and allow them to develop a broader knowledge of a particular sub field of psychological research. Discussions of literature within supervision sessions will also foster critical analysis.

The student will also be expected to attend and contribute to lab meetings and will gain experience of working as part of a team.

Aims

The student will develop a deeper understanding of the full cycle of the research process within a particular area (or two areas for Route 2) of psychological research. They will gain a range of specific practical research skills appropriate to that research area, many of which will be extendable (for example, experience working with spreadsheets and databases, as well as organizational and team work skills). They will also gain further knowledge of that research area through a program of reading.

Outcomes

Skills

Research study design – students will gain an insight into the principles guiding the design of a study, including how this process is constrained by practicalities within a particular research context
	Use of software tools for stimuli creation and data analysis as appropriate to the project
	Reading and critically analysis skills - Conducting literature searches searching and making effective critical use of the literature and other published information sources relevant to the project
	Understanding and use of data.
	Effective communication. This involves developing a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience. In this course this is accomplished through an oral presentation.
	Effective personal planning and project management skills
	Working under supervision in a research laboratory or workplace setting
	Working as part of a team
Knowledge

Understanding research cycle and the range of process and skills that contribute to each stage of that cycle.
	In depth knowledge and understanding of a particular research area