20/11/2019

LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY

PSY3012

Dr Jackie Meredith

New Deadline
 Your deadline for submitting formative drafts is MONDAY MORNING
9th December.
 There is a template on Moodle that you must use. Please give your
email address for feedback, as requested.
 Please use the correct link for your methodology!
 Qualitative
 Quantitative
 Mixed Methods
 This is FORMATIVE – that means it’s an opportunity – it’s not
compulsory – but if you want to know whether your proposal idea is
workable and you’re on the right track, SUBMIT IT.
 So what are we expecting?

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Draft = plan, not full proposal

 Note form is fine
 CONTENT = crucial
 DETAIL = not necessary
 Clear stage, clear aim, clear method
 (including details of actual proposed measures
if you can)
 Positive and Negative ethical aspects
– ideas,
 Personal and general reflexivity bullet
 Rigour = what are the main strengths of your points
approach fine

Your draft Proposals

 Some of you who are struggling may get some ideas in the interactive session later.
 You will need to replace the proposal details (blue background) in the GUIDE below with
your own information.
 Use the questions as a guide.
 Please use the TEMPLATE provided on MOODLE to submit your draft. This includes a
place for your student number and your email address for feedback.

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS

Title: What stage are you investigating?
What is the working title of your proposal?
Introduction: What is your research question? This must be clearly defined, including the study aims.
Methodology: Provide a rationale for using 1) the chosen approach (i.e. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method) and 2)
the actual method of data collection (i.e. questionnaire, interview, survey).

Data Gathering: Who, how and where will you recruit? (i.e. how many participants, from where and how will these be
accessed)

Ethical What particular ethical issues might arise with your chosen project? Are there ethically positive
considerations: outcomes of your proposed research?

Reflexivity: What impact do you think you will have on the research process? (Your choice of design, your role, etc.)
Rigour: What might be a problem with your choice of investigation and what will you do to ensure that the
research process is trustworthy/valid?

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EXAMPLE: Poor Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: For this study I am investigating the Adolescence stage.
The working title of the proposal is Developmental
Issues in Adolescence.

Introduction: My research question is the ‘ways in which parental

treatment can have an effect on Adolescents’
development’. The study aims to find out whether
developmental issues can be caused by faulty parental
treatment. The study will focus on adolescents’ ‘mental
development’.

Methodology: The chosen approach will be quantitative and I will be

using surveys for the actual method of data collection.

Data Gathering: I will be recruiting adolescents at random to take part in

my survey.

Ethical Participants taking part in my survey will be informed

considerations: that they may withdraw from participation at any time
and all measures will be taken to respect the
participants’ privacy.
I will also be providing sufficient information regarding
the aims of the study and allow the participant to be
aware of any potential risks they may encounter by
taking part in this study.

Reflexivity: I am very enthusiastic to find out about developmental

issues in adolescents. I believe my choice of design will
help me gather the results needed for this study.

Rigour: My choice of investigation may be seen as a sensitive or

private issue; however I will ensure that the privacy of
the participants is obtained. It may be difficult to
allocate adolescents to take part in my survey.

EXAMPLE: Poor Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: For this study I am investigating the Adolescence stage. Too broad – what developmental issues? This tells us nothing. You
The working title of the proposal is Developmental can’t investigate every aspect of adolescent development – you’ll need
Issues in Adolescence. to choose a focal area.

Introduction: My research question is the ‘ways in which parental Again, the word ‘development’ is too broad. A proposal has to target a
treatment can have an effect on Adolescents’ SPECIFIC research question. Think about terms - what does ‘faulty
development’. The study aims to find out whether parental treatment’ mean? What aspect of mental development?
developmental issues can be caused by faulty parental You will need to spend time looking at specific challenges for
treatment. The study will focus on adolescents’ ‘mental development in adolescence and consider investigating one of these,
development’. and a model of parent/child interaction where you can
QUANTITATIVELY measure the relationship…
Methodology: The chosen approach will be quantitative and I will be You will also need to detail measures used – e.g. the actual tests
using surveys for the actual method of data collection. employed – otherwise there is no way for a reviewer to assess the
method proposed. ‘Surveys’ is not a good term; questionnaires is
better, but these need to be specified.

Data Gathering: I will be recruiting adolescents at random to take part in From where? What age? Consent? Issues of family compliance?
my survey. You will need to give details and think of other issues. How will you
encourage families to take part, for instance, where you’re asking
adolescents to talk about personal family dynamics?
Ethical Participants taking part in my survey will be informed Until you have a methodology and a proper research question it’s not
considerations: that they may withdraw from participation at any time possible to be specific here, which is why you have simply
and all measures will be taken to respect the regurgitated BPS guidance points. This section must target specific
participants’ privacy. ethical aspects of your proposed study.
I will also be providing sufficient information regarding For example, what risks do you envisage? What aspects of good
the aims of the study and allow the participant to be practice will you be proposing?
aware of any potential risks they may encounter by What are the key ethical considerations for a study of this kind?
taking part in this study.

Reflexivity: I am very enthusiastic to find out about developmental There is no design here for you to be enthusiastic about! Sorry to
issues in adolescents. I believe my choice of design will sound harsh, but please look at the notes on what reflexivity is.
help me gather the results needed for this study.

Rigour: My choice of investigation may be seen as a sensitive or Be more specific – in your case the issue of maladaptive parenting
private issue; however I will ensure that the privacy of raises issues for cooperation and honesty, possibly?
the participants is obtained. It may be difficult to How would you ensure privacy? What about disclosure?
allocate adolescents to take part in my survey.

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EXAMPLE: Good Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: Influence of mindfulness practices on life satisfaction and well
being of people living in care homes.

Introduction: It has been suggested that across a lifespan, life satisfaction is in

decline from 70 years onwards (Baird et al, 2010). Recent studies
have indicated that mindfulness correlates with well-being (Kong
et al, 2011). The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of
mindfulness practices on life satisfaction and well being of elderly
people living in care homes.
Methodology: • Quantitative/experimental
• Questionnaires:
1. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan,
2003)
2. 40-item measure of emotional, psychological, and social
well-being (Keyes, 2005).
3. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS, Diener et al, 1985)
• 8-week mindfulness course + 8-week painting classes
• the questionnaires will be distributed before and after the
courses.
Data About 200 participants will be recruited from several care homes
Gathering: in London.

Ethical • Confidentiality: The collected data will be available just to

considerations: the research team
• Positive: the course will most likely positively influence
participants well-being
Reflexivity: The courses will be led by mindfulness instructors and art
teachers therefore the researcher will have no influence on the
process of the courses.
Rigour: • courses will be led by professionals
• 8-week painting classes will be applied in order to explore
whether the effect of mindfulness is stronger than social
interaction (activity theory).

EXAMPLE: Good Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: Influence of mindfulness practices on life satisfaction and well This is a good, specific title for a proposal – the use of the word
being of people living in care homes. ‘influence’ suggests a quantitative measure of change or a
comparative study.
Introduction: It has been suggested that across a lifespan, life satisfaction is in Good – your introduction will contain theory related to
decline from 70 years onwards (Baird et al, 2010). Recent studies mindfulness and research relating to both mindfulness and why
have indicated that mindfulness correlates with well-being (Kong decline in life satisfaction and wellbeing is linked to late
et al, 2011). The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of adulthood.
mindfulness practices on life satisfaction and well being of elderly
people living in care homes.
Methodology: • Quantitative/experimental Good, these measures seem appropriate to identify change in
• Questionnaires: wellbeing and an 8 week course seems appropriate – I would
1. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, suggest at least an appendix providing an idea what the
2003) mindfulness course itself would constitute – as you can imagine
2. 40-item measure of emotional, psychological, and social it would be important from the point of view of ethics as well as
well-being (Keyes, 2005). methodology. What about a control group – so residents not
3. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS, Diener et al, 1985) taking the course or painting class, or is the painting class the
• 8-week mindfulness course + 8-week painting classes control? In which case I would imagine 3 groups – painting
• the questionnaires will be distributed before and after the
classes, mindfulness course and no intervention, as painting is
courses.
considered therapeutic and may in itself increase wellbeing.
This needs to be clear.
Data About 200 participants will be recruited from several care homes How might you select your participants? Would there be
Gathering: in London. residents who would not be taking part? Will you match your
groups by age, personality, family contact, etc? Why London?
Ethical • Confidentiality: The collected data will be available just to Yes, positive change is an ethical consideration – develop these
considerations: the research team points; for example how might participants benefit positively?
• Positive: the course will most likely positively influence
participants well-being
Reflexivity: The courses will be led by mindfulness instructors and art TRUE, BUT – what about your influence on the project as a
teachers therefore the researcher will have no influence on the whole; e.g. the design? What impact have your experiences
process of the courses. had? What will be the likely impact of this research globally?
Rigour: • courses will be led by professionals For rigour, you need to describe how you would control for
• 8-week painting classes will be applied in order to explore other variables which may influence participant wellbeing over
whether the effect of mindfulness is stronger than social the course of the study. You will also note how you will do your
interaction (activity theory). best to ensure that discrete changes will be observed.

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EXAMPLE: Moderately Good Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: Adolescents evaluations of the helpfulness of online posts
following a bereavement

Introduction: Social media has now become part of the mourning process
for bereaved adolescents (Williams and Merton, 2009).
Aim of study to evaluate helpfulness of support-intended
statements received online.
Previous research evaluated support-intended statements
received in person (Servaty-Seib and Burleson, 2007) but not
online.
Results can be used to integrate use of social media in
supporting bereaved adolescents

Methodology: The Support-Intended Statements Scale adapted for

adolescents (SISS) will be used (Servaty-Seib and Burleson,
2007). Statements not applicable to online media will be
removed/amended.

Data Gathering: Participants will be recruited from Harrow Bereavement Care

(HBC). Referrals to HBC come via schools or parents.
Parental consent to be obtained. Questionnaire to be
completed in support sessions

Ethical Sensitive subject dealing with vulnerable group

considerations: Post participation support required
Results can be used to help grieving adolescents find
additional support from this media as a positive ethical
outcome

Reflexivity: Researcher trained adolescent bereavement support worker

so appropriate to work with this group.

Rigour: Problems may be in recruiting a suitable number of

participants. If HBC take up is poor consideration could be
given to approaching schools directly.

EXAMPLE: Moderately Good Draft

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: Adolescents evaluations of the helpfulness of online posts Interesting; very specific and intriguing
following a bereavement

Introduction: Social media has now become part of the mourning process Good – there is a solid rationale for the study and it is of contemporary
for bereaved adolescents (Williams and Merton, 2009). interest. Make sure your literature review covers all these areas.
Aim of study to evaluate helpfulness of support-intended
statements received online.
Previous research evaluated support-intended statements
received in person (Servaty-Seib and Burleson, 2007) but not
online.
Results can be used to integrate use of social media in
supporting bereaved adolescents

Methodology: The Support-Intended Statements Scale adapted for I would suggest you need to supplement this with other measures – and
adolescents (SISS) will be used (Servaty-Seib and Burleson, explain how these adolescents will be exposed to online posting. You will
2007). Statements not applicable to online media will be need to monitor other forms of social support as well; this is a quantitative
removed/amended. study and therefore you need to be able to numerically measure a discreet
variable in terms of online support – maybe the scale does this – I don’t know
it personally but you will need to include it with your proposal as an
appendix
Data Gathering: Participants will be recruited from Harrow Bereavement Care I am wondering whether you wouldn’t be better using a mixed methodology
(HBC). Referrals to HBC come via schools or parents. – in order to understand in more depth how adolescents respond to different
Parental consent to be obtained. Questionnaire to be forms of support.
completed in support sessions

Ethical Sensitive subject dealing with vulnerable group Yes

considerations: Post participation support required
Results can be used to help grieving adolescents find
additional support from this media as a positive ethical
outcome

Reflexivity: Researcher trained adolescent bereavement support worker What might some of the consequences be of this type of research? Will it be
so appropriate to work with this group. useful to family therapists and grief counsellors? If so in what way? What
will your impact be on the study – your ideas and experience will influence
your investigation.
Rigour: Problems may be in recruiting a suitable number of I think you need to consider rigour in terms of answering your research
participants. If HBC take up is poor consideration could be question as well here. Are you covering enough aspects to inform
given to approaching schools directly. psychologists, therapists, general understanding? Has your choice of
methodology been deliberated in this way and what are the strengths of your
approach? You need to think broader for these final 2 sections.

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EXAMPLE: Problematic Draft - Qualitative

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: I will be studying childhood - Does social class affect a child’s ability to acquire
language
Introduction: My research question is “Does social class affect the ability of a child to acquire
spoken language and therefore affect their educational success?”
I will study infants between the ages of 18 – 36 months and record the language used
in order to determine if class affects language acquirement.
I will be using Hallidays, 2004 and Dores, 1982 functions of speech to establish
speech patterns and in turn determine if class affects the ability of a child to acquire
language.
My aims: To gain a representative sample of infants 50% working class and 50%
middle class.
To record the amount of language functions each child uses during an observation or
recording, in a natural environment, according to (Dore, 1982) and (Halliday, 2004)
language functions.
After each child has taken they’re GCSE’s, I will then compare results between GCSE
grades and the amount of language functions used during childhood and see if there
is a correlation between the two.
Methodology: I will gain a representational population of children on the UK
The study will be longitudional and take place at two stages of the childs life, during
the acquisition of language and gaining their GCSE grades.
The study will be that of a qualitative approach and the first contact will be that of a
natural observation to increase validity.
Data Gathering: I will gain my participants through a governmental body such as the national register
for newborns
I will send each participant a request form and if I receive low levels I will include an Why would this
incentive such as money.
proposal be in
Ethical Parental consent
considerations: Confidentiality (GCSE results may be sensitive) danger of
Right to withdraw
Briefing and debriefing failing?
Reflexivity: My impact on the research will be mainly analytical. Analysing the data and drawing
conclusions from the results
Rigour: As this study is longitudinal and I will only have to contact the participants and
parents twice there is a long period in which participants may wish to withdraw from
the study. As a way to ensure they do not withdraw I will state that an incentive will
not be given until both meetings have taken place to ensure low levels of
withdrawals.
Another way is to ensure I have enough participants that if some withdraw it does
not affect my findings and conclusion.

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EXAMPLE: Problematic Draft - Qualitative

SECTION PROPOSAL DETAILS (200 words) COMMENT (Tutor Feedback)
Working Title: I will be studying childhood - Does social class affect a child’s ability to acquire You are required to choose a life stage from adolescence upwards.
language IF YOU DON’T CHANGE THIS YOU WILL FAIL THIS
ASSESSMENT
Introduction: My research question is “Does social class affect the ability of a child to acquire This is a correlational study, and therefore not suitable for a
spoken language and therefore affect their educational success?” qualitative approach.
I will study infants between the ages of 18 – 36 months and record the language used Is there a gap in the literature or has this been researched
in order to determine if class affects language acquirement. extensively?
I will be using Hallidays, 2004 and Dores, 1982 functions of speech to establish How do you determine social class? Income, socio-economic
speech patterns and in turn determine if class affects the ability of a child to acquire classification, self-report? This is not clear. What about the upper
language. class?
My aims: To gain a representative sample of infants 50% working class and 50% What about all the other influences that can determine GCSE
middle class. grades? Would you not need to take some sort of baseline measure?
To record the amount of language functions each child uses during an observation or Overall, a study that covers early childhood through to adolescence
recording, in a natural environment, according to (Dore, 1982) and (Halliday, 2004) is not very workable, and you might consider focusing more
language functions. specifically on one life stage only.
After each child has taken they’re GCSE’s, I will then compare results between GCSE
grades and the amount of language functions used during childhood and see if there
is a correlation between the two.
Methodology: I will gain a representational population of children on the UK You are looking to recruit a sample, not a population.
The study will be longitudional and take place at two stages of the childs life, during How will it be representational? Again, you are talking about a
the acquisition of language and gaining their GCSE grades. quantitative approach.
The study will be that of a qualitative approach and the first contact will be that of a Why would a natural observation increase validity? Is not your aim
natural observation to increase validity. to record language functions?
Data Gathering: I will gain my participants through a governmental body such as the national register What about children who come to the UK after they were born?
for newborns What about non-native speakers? What is your sample size?
I will send each participant a request form and if I receive low levels I will include an Monetary incentives can be problematic.
incentive such as money. As you are proposing a longitudinal study, how will you cope with
high attrition rates?
Ethical Parental consent Please be more specific in regards to your proposal. These ethical
considerations: Confidentiality (GCSE results may be sensitive) considerations are standard requirements, and here we would like
Right to withdraw to see more specific considerations.
Briefing and debriefing
Reflexivity: My impact on the research will be mainly analytical. Analysing the data and drawing This is not what is meant by reflexivity. Please revisit the relevant
conclusions from the results slides for information.
Rigour: As this study is longitudinal and I will only have to contact the participants and Rigour has more to do with issues regarding your choice of method.
parents twice there is a long period in which participants may wish to withdraw from Attrition rates in longitudinal studies are rarely alleviated by
the study. As a way to ensure they do not withdraw I will state that an incentive will monetary incentives – how much money do you think you’d need
not be given until both meetings have taken place to ensure low levels of to offer for someone to wait until their child is taking GCSEs?
withdrawals.
Another way is to ensure I have enough participants that if some withdraw it does
not affect my findings and conclusion.

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Key lessons…
 Writing a lot on a draft doesn’t mean it’s BETTER
 A coherent plan, supported by literature and theory, is
best
 To be sure you’re on a strong track, cover:
 BACKGROUND
 THEORY
 EVIDENCE
 RATIONALE
 CONTRIBUTION

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Your proposal MUST

 Cover a stage, and a transition, from adolescence to old
age
 Investigate psychological processes
 Have a basis in theory, not just come from the top of
your head
 Be accompanied by a sound research background
 Of academic literature
 Propose a workable methodology, including actual
tests to be used
 Make a contribution to knowledge

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What can I do now?

 You will need to keep working on your project while
you wait for your draft feedback
 Review literature
 Investigate methods
 Find measures
 When you get your feedback, you might need to make
some adjustments, but you’ll already have a solid base
 If you’re unsure whether your idea even makes sense,
stay for a tutorial
 You have until Monday morning to kick your plan into
shape…

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IF YOU’RE STILL REALLY STUCK YOU CAN

USE THESE IDEAS…

 For each Project idea:

 Identify a transitional issue/issues
 Formulate a research question or hypothesis
 What approach would you use to investigate this?
 Who will you recruit?
 What data will you gather? How?
 What will you be interested to know about the data you
collect?
 What are the ethical considerations of the study?

LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING IDEAS

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PROJECT 1
 The government has noted the increase in longevity
amongst the population. More people are living
longer. They are interested to learn how this will affect
well being.
 Think about what transitions occur for adults moving
into old age, and the implications in terms of social,
emotional and physical wellbeing.
 What would be a useful way to research this?
 Think about what kind of information you want to
collect and how you would go about doing that.

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PROJECT 2
 The nature of midlife varies as a function of such factors as gender, cohort,
socioeconomic status (SES), race, ethnicity, culture, region of the country,
personality, marital status, parental status, employment status, and health
status…
 Lachman, 2004

 As a lifespan researcher, you are interested in whether the

idea of a midlife crisis really exists in modern Britain. You
are aware that the concept of midlife may be different
across cultures.
 What aspect of transition does this relate to? Why is this
interesting to psychology (think about life consequences)?
 How would you go about mapping this phenomenon, should
it exist?

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PROJECT 3
 You are a young adult and have stopped watching the news
because you have been so annoyed by Brexit and the
posturing and promises of the main political parties.
However, you are aware that in other countries university
students are rebelling against political changes. As a
psychology researcher you are interested in why young
adults become engaged or disengaged with modern
politics.
 What aspect of transition does this cover (think about what
changes as we enter adulthood – e.g. sense of responsibility,
community…)
 How might you investigate this?
 Think about recruiting participants, ensuring generalisability,
what type of method to consider.

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LOOKING AHEAD

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Common problems
1. To much surface information
2. Too limited
 in participant selection
 or methodological procedure
3. Too much focus on historical material – not a
contemporary issue
4. Lack of rigour
5. Not enough consideration of the long term effects
of the proposed study
6. No clearly identified stage or consideration of
transition
1. Stage MUST be one we have tackled in the module.

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1. Surface information
 You may need to develop your thoughts – for example ‘Ethics’...
 Don’t repeat ethical principles from PSY2004/5! This is not an
opportunity to show you remember basic ethical principles
 Exams were for that...
 Do relate the principles of ethics TO YOUR SPECIFIC PROPOSAL
 What aspects of your methodology or participant choice may
need special consideration
 Negative – what may be some of the challenges; you need to
acknowledge this and demonstrate how you will deal with this
 For example, will parents want their families involved?

 What about disclosure if you are investigating a sensitive subject?

 Positive – how might the investigation influence outcomes for the

participants?

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2. Too Limited
 Some students use their final year dissertation as a guide
 So what you could reasonably achieve…
 This proposal needs to be more AMBITIOUS.
 This is a POST-GRADUATE level study – AND - you don’t have to do it... SO... there
are few limits!
 Your choice of participants, where and how you will recruit and what you
choose to do should be determined by WHAT IS BEST TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION POSED BY YOUR RESEARCH
 Not what you think YOU would be able to obtain!
 For example, why pick 200 children from 1 school when you really need to be
approaching local educational authorities across London (or nationally) to
investigate an area which will affect good practice in education?
 ALSO - Bear in mind issues like attrition and non-compliance... Few
studies ever end up with the same number of participants they targeted
for recruitment!

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3. Lack of Contemporary focus

 Watch your literature review in the introduction
 Your area of interest may have originated in the 20th century,
but what about the 21st century?
 What contemporary research has been done in the area
 Make sure you’re up to date!
 If you’re replicating or partially replicating...
 Make sure you’re using a contemporary study
 Replicating a study which was done in the 1970’s is inadvisable
 What has been done since?
 Has the subject been exhausted?
 Any replication MUST provide a good reason while this is worth
revisiting
 or show a different angle is being explored
 Any partial replication must choose methodology APPROPRIATE
FOR YOUR SPECIFIC AIM not just repeat what was done
 this may well mean you need to refine a process or tests used.

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4. Lack of Rigour
 You need to engage fully with the potential limitations of the
TYPE OF RESEARCH YOU ARE DOING
 Not just general issues...
 This means acknowledging the limitations of your method or
participants
 But stating why it is the right choice...
 You need to demonstrate your ability to really think about
how and why different research processes are used
 For example in quantitative studies, how generalisations can be
made, or what confounds might be experience and how you
would propose to handle this
 It might also be an opportunity to show why your
methodology would improve on previous studies
 Or at least add to knowledge.

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5. Think bigger, go further

 This is for the future… the only PAST TENSE is in the review
of literature in the introduction
 This document is SUGGESTING a research project for a possible
sponsor to consider…
 You DON’T HAVE TO GO IT ALONE
 You are the designer of this project
 so your personal interest in the area will be demonstrated in ‘Reflexivity’…
 You can propose a TEAM of researchers to aid in the project
 Think about things like gender and age effects – might there be an issue
with using a middle aged woman to interview young male adolescents
about gang culture, for example…

 At Level 3 you need to show your ability to engage at a deeper

level with the meaning of research that you’ve previously done
 You need to show you can consider complex issues relating to
the research process and the expanding of knowledge in
psychology.

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6. Stages and Transitions

 In this first term we have considered chronological stages of the
lifespan. Your proposal must clearly relate to one of the stages we have
investigated:
 Adolescence, Young Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, Old Age,
Bereavement and Mourning
 However each of these stages is also connected to transitions
 Transition from a previous stage
 Transition towards a future stage
 Each of these involves aspects of life development – cognitive,
biological, emotional, behavioural, psychic, social…
 You must identify the aspect of transition you will be investigating
 For example emotional engagement with others
 How this changes between childhood and adolescence = focus on adolescent
development
 How this changes between adolescence and young adulthood = focus on young
adulthood

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What might be a
7. Effect - Ethics challenge or
controversial?

 Ethics is about the EFFECT your study will have

 Effect of the subject matter
 Effect of the process What is positive
and
 And the consequences of this: commendable?
 Effect on participants
 Short term, long term
 Effect on families, communities, procedure

 Does the end justify the means?

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8. Impact - Reflexivity
 Reflexivity is all about considering impact.
 The impact of YOU on the research project
 The impact of the PROJECT on the world

You are the ARCHITECT. What does that mean?

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Rigour
 Precision
 Meticulousness
 Accuracy
 Attention to detail
 Thoroughness

 How can you demonstrate you have observed these

things in your choice of methodology?

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Further Reading
 Frost, N. (Ed) (2011). Qualitative Research in Psychology:
Combining Core Approaches. Open University Press.
 Yes, our own Nollaig Frost
 Nightingale, D & Cromby, J. (Eds) (1999) Social
constructivist psychology. Buckingham: Open University
Press. Cited in Ryan (2005)
 http://www.nipissingu.ca/oar/PDFS/V712.pdf
 for the full article

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 Next week is a READING WEEK

 Your next session is Tuesday 7th January
APPLYING MODELS AND THEORY ESSAYS
NOW – OPTIONAL TUTORIALS

Happy Festive Season and New year

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