HS773-8-FY-CO:
Clinical Research 2

The details
2024/25
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 8
Current
Monday 02 September 2024
Friday 29 August 2025
30
04 July 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

CER C89F24 Applied Psychology,
DIP C89F24 Applied Psychology,
MSD C89F24 Applied Psychology,
DOCTC84036 Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)

Module description

This module aims to further develop specialist research-related competencies, building on the foundation of two previous modules (HS945 and HS763) completed in the first year of the DClinPsych training programme. Trainees learning and development will be supported by research tutors and other academic staff who will be available for trainees to discuss their developing research ideas. Module assessment involves submission of a Service Related Project (SRP).

Module aims

The 2nd year clinical research module aims to develop trainees’ competencies in relation to:

Methodologies such as qualitative interviews and focus groups

Collecting naturally occurring data

Considering issues relating to epistemology and phenomenology

Analysing qualitative data (bottom up / top-down)

Using ANOVA for experimental designs

Using regression for cross-sectional / longitudinal designs

Writing up the thesis

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, trainees will:
1. Be able to critically appraise the use of a broad range of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods and approaches
2. Be able to overcome some of the practical and organisational barriers to research
3. Be able to communicate research findings to challenging audiences
4. Have advanced knowledge of research design, including an advanced understanding of issues relating to sampling and ensuring reliability and validity of findings.
5. Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the theory and application of power and effect size calculation
6. Have advanced skills in conducting qualitative research including:
a. The ability to plan and conduct qualitative research interviews / focus groups
b. Bottom-up / top-down approaches in qualitative research
7. Have a thorough understanding of issues relating to epistemology and phenomenology
8. Be familiar with and competent in negotiating research ethics and conduct research in an ethical, autonomous and competent manner.
9. Understand and be able to contribute to clinical psychological service-related research as evidenced by the submission of a Service Related Project (SRP).

Module information

In the second year of training, trainees submit a Service Related Project (SRP) and continue to work on their theses in order to submit in April in the third year of training. This Module focuses on supporting trainees through the research process using a combination of teaching and workshops in which trainees
have the opportunity to discuss issues of relevance to their research.
The second year clinical research module aims to build on the foundation of the teaching and learning in the first year in order to:

Extend trainees' knowledge, understanding and skills of advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques for analysing data

Provide trainees with approaches to deal with potential barriers encountered in the research process (from obtaining ethical approval to communicating research to challenging audiences)


HS773 builds on skills acquired in HS763 and is aimed at further developing trainees' independent research skills. Each session focuses on the content areas (see below) as well as providing a research workshop in the second half of each teaching session, where general issues relating to trainees' research
are discussed and applications of teaching materials covered are considered.

Learning and teaching methods

The emphasis in the Clinical Research module is to ensure that trainees develop a broad understanding of topics relevant to conducting research within clinical psychology using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Within HS773, teaching is trainee led: there are 1 to 2 compulsory readings for each session and trainees have been allocated to tasks for each session (see below). Trainee 1 presents reading 1 to the group, followed by discussion. Trainee 2 presents reading 2 to the group, followed by discussion. Trainee 3 provides a list of additional resources for fellow trainees to find out about the topic. Discussion of the reading will form half of the session. The second half of every session will be a research workshop (for the thesis SRP) in which trainees can raise issues relating to the development of their thesis. The module is supported by the DClinPsychs MOODLE site, which has additional links to electronic resources.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Service Related Project / Secondary Data Analysis  11/03/2025  100% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr John Day, email: john.day@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Susan McPherson
E: dcpadmin@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Magdalena Marczak
Coventry University
Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 39 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
39 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Health and Social Care (School of)

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