Dr Patrick Rosenkranz presented a paper at VICTOP 2015.  The paper was called ‘Teaching psychological research methods through a pragmatic and programmatic approach’, co-authors, Dr Amy Fielden and Dr Effy Tzemou. Here is the abstract:

Research methods teaching in psychology is pivotal in allowing students to make the transition from student as learner to independent practitioner. We took an action research approach to re-design, implement and evaluate a course guiding students, through a programmatic and pragmatic research cycle. These revisions allow students to experience diverse psychological methods by working as collaborators on three sequential studies (qualitative psychometric and survey design). Evaluation of the first delivery ( 2014) highlighted that students developed a broad range of transferable skills, but experienced uncertainty associated with the research process and anxiety attributed to the less definitive guidance provided by staff ( Rosenkranz, Fielden and Tzemou, 2014). Based on this we implemented changes aimed at further developing independence while managing uncertainty by using structured discussion and research groups. In this presentation we will discuss the overall rationale of redesigning the course and present data from the second delivery (2015) of the action research evaluation.

Supporting information:

Rosenkranz P, Fielden A, Tzemou E. (2014). Teaching psychological research methods through a pragmatic and programmatic approach. Psychology Teaching Review, 20(2), 28-35.