Research

Methods –

Task 3
Reflection

How happy are you with your Task

1/Task 2?

What went well with each?

What could have been improved?

What is assignment
3?

You will be carrying out You will be carrying out

your data collection
your pilot study to explore
during the Easter
current issues in break!
psychology and review
implications of research You will have the 27th
into psychological inquiry. of April to ensure you
have collected the
results from your
participants!
 What do you need to include?
●
Grade Criteria
●
D3 Evaluate findings, and the effectiveness of own research, using appropriate
formats, self-reflection and feedback from others, and the implication for future
practice, provision and professional development

●
M4 Analyse own research findings using self-reflection and feedback from others for
future practice, provision and professional development
●
M3 Analyse findings from conducting own research using appropriate formats

●
P8 Explain implications of own research on future practice, provision and professional
development
●
P7 Discuss success of own research using self-reflection and feedback from others

●
P6 Explain findings using appropriate formats

●
P5 Perform a pilot study in one area of psychology
 You can either structure your
assignment using this layout

- P5: Perform a pilot study in one area

of psychology
- P6: Explain findings using
appropriate formats
- M3: Analyse findings from conducting How can I structure this
own research using appropriate work?
formats
- P7: Discuss success of own research
using self-reflection and feedback
from others
- P8: Explain implications of own OR If you find it
research on future practice, easier, you could
provision, and professional
development group P6 & M3
- M4: Analyse own research findings
using self-reflection and feedback
together and
from others for future practice, P8, M3 and D3
provision and professional
development
together as the
- D3: Explain implications of own criteria is very similar
 From Task 2 you should have an idea about what it is that
you would like to conduct. It is important throughout this
process that you are

Firstly, • Setting yourself weekly targets of what you will

complete, it is imperative to manage your time, and
this is your responsibility to manage effectively.
• Remember you need to allocate time for creating
any resources that you may need e.g.,
questionnaires or consent forms etc.
• You will also need to allocate time to finding
●
Week commencing ●
Plan
participants and conducting your
(Mon-Sun) experiment/study
●
27th Feb- 5th March ●
Start a plan of how to conduct your study
●
6th March- 12th March ●
Start to create resources needed to
conduct study (E.g., questionnaires,
interviews, consent forms)
●
13th March- 19th March ●
Start process of recruiting for PPTS
27th March- 2nd April ●
Start writing P5
●
3rd April- 14th April ●
Collect data
 Write this section using Academic conventions:
P5- Perform a pilot study in one area of psychology
Follow this structure in your work. Ensure you have included subtitles and
they’re on there own line. Avoid writing in 1st person. Ensure you have
cited and referenced previous literature.
•
• Title ( BOLD and include punctuation).
•
• Introduction
• Discuss rationale More details
• Hypothesis on next
• Literature Review
slides.
• Method
• Participants
• Materials
• Procedure/design
• Ethical considerations

• Analysis: How have you analyzed the data? Did you use qualitative or
quantitative methods? Bar charts? Scatter grams?

References (At the end of entire assignment)

Appendix: (IF you want to add an example of questionnaire)
 ●
Heading ●
Example
●
Title ●
This is not your research question or aim, but the title of your research. For example, 'An investigation of gender differences in levels of
conformity'

●
Rationale for What is the point in this research? How will it help? What new information will this research bring?
research
●
Research question ●
Example of research question: ‘Are there any gender differences in levels of conformity?'
and hypothesis Example of a hypothesis: 'gender will influence the levels of conformity'

●
Literature ●
What literature have you read that has helped you come up with your hypothesis? What did they find in
review their studies? This should be a discussion of overall literature. It needs to include the articles you found from
T2. You will need to ensure you have used in-text citations & Harvard Referenced.
●
Sample ●
How are you going to get participants (which sampling technique will you use)? Who are your participants- were you looking for
specific categories? How many did you recruit? Include details here of demographics (such as age, gender, backgrounds). Any
rejections due to not fitting recruitment criteria?
●
Materials ●
What materials have you used in order to conduct this study? (e.g., interview room, interview questions). Be
specific. This should include everything you needed to conduct the study. If you’re using an already made
questionnaire, please include what it is called and some information about this.
●
Procedure/design ●
What steps did you take in order to conduct this research, outline the order of events this should act as instructions. Be specific, ensure
procedure is standardised so any other person can replicate this study. Data collection method? why are you using this method? How
did you distribute your data collection method? How long did it take to conduct.

Ethical What ethical considerations can arise in your research? How are you going to get consent from participants?
considerations Are you going to debrief them? Think back to what we learned about ethical considerations previously. This
needs to be a discussion of more than one ethical consideration. If ethical issues were a problem, what did you
do specifically to overcome them? If they did not arise, what did you do to avoid them becoming an issue?

●
Analysis How are you going to analyse the data? Are you going to use qualitative or quantitative methods? Why are you
choosing that method to analyse data? E.g. graphs/descriptive stats/ thematic analysis.
Please do not forget how to write a
hypothesis:

See P.5 of your workbooklet for guidance.

A hypothesis should always be written professionally.

Remember P5-

Hypothesis:
Do not include an explanation e.g., Participants
will recall words from a list by using image-
linking because…..
 Do use imprecise terms e.g., Memory will be
better when using visualization (what
exactly is ‘better’; can you measure it?
Refer to work booklet page 22/23 for guidance.

This needs to be like a discussion of the literature.

You must ensure you are including in-text citations as well as
ensuring these are all references in accordance with
Harvard.

Prosocial behaviour has been defined as carrying

out an activity which will help to benefit a person
(Einsberg, Fabes & Spinrad, 2006), this can Literature Review:
include a range of activities such as: comforting
an individual, sharing with an individual and
helping an individual (Knickerbocker, 2011)
regardless of objective (Beck et al., 2004).

Knafo, Weiner and Dubrovsky (2011) highlight

how prosocial behaviours are often accompanied
with some type of reward for the performer
whether that is psychological or social, for
instance feeling good about performing prosocial
behaviour promotes a positive mood.
“Prosocial behaviour”

Citation:

Practice

Harvard Reference:
Example:
Participants:
Twenty-six participants took part in this study. Out of
those twenty-six, there were seventeen females
(65.4%) and nine males (34.6%). The majority of
participants (N=24) described themselves as white
(92.4%) whilst only one participant (3.8%) described
themselves as mixed/multiple ethic groups (e.g. white
and black) and one participant (3.8%) described
themselves as Indian. The age range of participants
was 20-25 (M= 22.08).
Sample:
Sampling:
A convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit
participants for the study. Participants were recruited
online via social media channels such as:
An advert to take part in the study would click onto
the link to access the study.
Forty participants took part in the study initially,
however after analysing this the data thirteen
participants had to be removed for not completing
the entire study and one participant was removed as
they didn’t agree to some statements of the consent
The questionnaires were uploaded online via Social
medias including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The participants could click on the E-survey link
provided on the advertisement which would then
direct them to the study. After clicking the link
participants should be provided with the
information sheet, consent form, demographic
information, the Emgenos Emotional Intelligence
Procedure
Inventory-concise (Palmer, Stough, Harmer &
Gignac, 2009) and the Prosocialness Scale for
adults (Caprara et al., 2005). At the end of the
questionnaire, a thank you message was displayed.
Participants could exist the study by clicking a
button. Participants were fully informed of the
purpose of the study. The study took between 10-
15 minutes to complete.
Participants were fully informed of the nature of the
study. The participants discomfort was considered when
discussing grades as this could cause the participants to
feel emotional discomfort and perhaps induce stress
regarding their current academic progress or their
academic achievement in the past. An information sheet
was presented at the start of the study to ensure
participants had essential details of what the study
consisted of, and so participants could make an
informed choice on whether or not they would want to
participate in the study. The end of the study included
some information regarding where to go if the
participant required support in response to emotional Ethical Considerations
distress caused by discussing academic achievement.

The study also included an informed consent form where

participants had to check boxes to indicate whether or
not they have understood the information and therefore
agree to take part. To ensure anonymity participants had
a unique identification number based of their first initial
and some random numbers so that they could not be
identified while taking part in the questionnaire.
Moreover, data collected will be stored on a password
protected secure laptop as it is important participants
Last year many students had to
resubmit due to not using in-text
citations in their literature review.
Many also failed to reference.

Example of Referencing and citation

on p. 16/17.

Referencing!
P6- Explain fi ndings using appropriate formats
You need to ensure you are correctly using the right Ensure your
chart/graph is
graphs/charts.
displayed correctly.
(e.g., Bar chart bars
should not touch)
Histograms – these use bars which touch and are used with interval data Ensure you
only. have titles,
labels, a key
Bar charts – these use bars which do not touch and can be used with all Last year for the graph
types of data.
98% of if needed
Pie charts – convert scores to degrees (all types of data)
students
For this criteria you need(Etc.) to include the
didn’t do
following:
Frequency polygrams – these use lines and are used to compare sets of this so
This leads on from the M and D criteria on assignment 2
scores (interval data) had
where you hadtoto pick the overall method of data collection
resubmit!
and analysis.
Scattergraphs – these use dots and are used with correlations (data from
one variable is plotted against the X axis and the data from another variable You need to present the findings of your
is plotted against the Y axis). research.

Providing a graph or table alone is not

sufficient you must explain what that graph
or table is suggesting about the research
topic in detail. When describing your
graphs please ensure you are using
descriptive statistics. (E.g.
 N.B.

Note that
some of these
charts are not
labelled
correctly. Not
using capitals
(Etc.)

Graphs and
charts should
include
• Title
• Label
Colour code (if
applicable)

Past Examples
 Example of graph and
description of graph

Those aged 25 to 34 years continued to have the

highest proportion of current smokers (19.0%,
around 1.6 million people), when compared with
any other age group, and those aged 65 years
and above continued to have the lowest
proportion of current smokers (7.8%, around
904,000 people). Across time, the largest
reduction in smoking prevalence has been
among 18- to 24-year-olds; 25.7% of this group
smoked in 2011 compared with 16.0% in 2019, a
reduction of almost 10 percentage points (see
Figure 2).
P6- Explain fi ndings using appropriate
formats
Discussion of your results:

- Do NOT forget to describe your graph. This

must include statistics. Use % / find the mean.
State what
M3your
can results
act as a were.
good M3- Analyse fi ndings from conducting
own research using appropriate formats
summary of your
- Discuss the method you used (qual/quant) and the
discussions.
wayYouyouarecarried
statingout research
your results,(interview). For this criteria, do this alongside P6 as
saying what this means and this is the analysis of your findings. Here,
- Discusswhyyour participants,
you think they why
may did you use these you explain your results.
ppts? Howsuggest
many ppts
this.did you recruit (N=10). Did
they show
You canany
put interesting
the sectiondata?
of How did this 1. What do your results mean/suggest?
help your study?before this
limitations 2.
-
3. Why do you think your findings suggest
- Were OR
there anypeople
some examples
use of
M3anomalies?
to (e.g., Did this?
all ppts
helpagree
them that Lockdown
describe their caused severe 4.
anxiety apartgraph.
from one). If yes, discuss this. 5. Are there any limitations to your
-
research / findings?
- Does your data/results support previous literature? • If so, how can you change this
Discuss- state what literature. You must ensure for next time?
you cite this.
-
P7- Discuss success of own research using
self-refl ection and feedback from others
For this criteria you must firstly reflect
on and consider everything you have
written about in P5. After Easter, we will have a workshop where I
will put you into small groups of 4-6 so you
Reflect on can present your research task to one another
• what you think went well whilst the rest of the group continue with
• what did not go so well. assignment work.
•
• You will need to prepare a mini PowerPoint
that will last 2 minutes. It needs to include
details of P5 and your results.
Feedback from others.
• What did they say they liked? Or what During your presentation your peers will need
strengths in your research did they to think about what went well in your study,
identify? and what could be improved.
• What did they say could have been
improved? You can note this feedback down to help you
• when it comes to writing P7.
You will then write this up. This needs to
be in paragraph form and have a clear
 M4-
Analyse own research on future practice, provision
and professional development

For this criteria you need to include:

Whether your results have answered your
research question. Was your hypothesis
correct?
P8-
Explain implications of own
>Anything you should have done research on future practice,
differently? Were there any gaps in your D3-provision and professional
research or missed opportunities development
Evaluate the your fi ndings and the
For this criteria you can use the feedback

How could you extend your research? eff ectiveness of own research on future
that you gained from your seminar
session.

What more could you do? practice, provision

How is what you have found useful for futureand professional
research, does what you have found hold any
development
significance?

What skills did you develop or enhance Elaborate on P8 skills-What other skills could
you have developed? Or do you think could

e.g., communication skills or have been improved?

For this criteria you need to include
mathematical skills etc. (Think back
to assignment 1- personal and Strengths (e.g., You have developed new skills, you
professional skills). Give an example carried out a successful study) & weaknesses (E.g., you
where you have demonstrated this skill had a small sample size)

Overall self-reflection and personal Summarise what gaps you have found in your
professional development. Has this study research, how to improve your study.
been successful? Why is this good for Discuss how you have developed as a researcher
you?
Ø Discuss whether your results have answered your research question. Was your hypothesis correct?
Does what you have found hold any significance?
Ø Better to reinstate your hypothesis and results then say whether
your research question/hypothesis was answered/ whether it
Ø was correct.
P8/ M4 / D3
Ø Anything you should have done differently? Were there any gaps in your research or missed
opportunities?
Ø How is what you have found useful for future research?
Ø How could you extend your research? What more could you do?

Skills:
Ø > What skills did you develop or enhance (e.g., communication skills or mathematical skills ETC)..
Ø Give an example where you have demonstrated this skill. You must include an example of one
personal skill and one professional skill.
Ø > What skills could still do with improving? What do you think you could still develop that will make you
a better researcher?
Ø Overall self-reflection and personal professional development. Discuss how you have developed as a
researcher (Strengths: You have developed new skills, you carried out a successful study) &
weaknesses:you had a small sample size). Has this study been successful? Why is this good for
 Harvard
Referencing!
Ensure you are using Harvard referencing!

This MUST be in Harvard Referencing and listed in

alphabetical order.
Reminders:

Data collection
When we have a workshop, you need to ensure you are working independently and not talking to one another.

needs to be
I am not allowed to help you at all during these work shops.

completed before
There is a Distinction sample example on Moodle and on teams.

Deadline: 2nd May 11:59pm

you return from

Easter!!
Rejuvenate activity

This is an activity to help rejuvenate

your brain from all of the hard work
you’ve been doing for Unit 2!
Create a table in your
workbooklet. P29/30

●
Word List ●
Time taken to complete
(seconds)
●
1
●
2
●
3
●
4
Stroop effect

Instructions:

Read out the colour of the text

and not the word itself as fast as
you can.

Note down the time it takes you

to complete the first world list.

Note down the time it takes you

to complete the second word list
 Once you have written down your results enter
the data into the spreadsheet

Stroop Test Results.xlsx

Practice creating a bar chart displaying your groups results.

What do you think the aim of
that experiment is?

How does the brain

process words?
Results
The processing speed theory claims that people can read
words much faster than they can name colors (i.e., word
processing is much faster than color processing).

As a result, a delay occurs when trying to name the colour

because doing so is not our brain’s first instinct (McMahon,
2013).

The theory of selective attention holds that recognizing

colors, compared to reading words, requires more
attention.

Because of this, the brain needs to use more attention

when attempting to name a color, making this process
take slightly longer (McMahon, 2013).