Family and Child Psychology MSc

This module introduces you to the essentials of psychological research, and includes an introduction to qualitative methods and quantitative methods, including questionnaire / survey and experimental research methods. Overviews of qualitative methodologies are given covering both data acquisition (e.g. interview, focus group, photo elicitation) and major analysis techniques (e.g. discourse analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, etc.). Thematic or content analysis is covered in more detail.

The module also introduces quantitative designs (e.g. surveys and experimental studies) and key analytical techniques. Laboratory exercises provide you with hands-on activities and include training in the use of statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS). The module introduces you to the nature and philosophy of the experimental method, the design and execution of psychological experiments, descriptive statistics, frequentist and Bayesian inferential parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures (e.g. chi-square, t-tests, (factorial) ANOVA, correlation, regression, and allied analyses). The module covers the replication crisis and potential remedies.

You receive guidance on the production of qualitative and quantitative research reports.

This module will introduce students to the issues that surround the successful management and completion of research projects in professional and applied settings. The course will focus on two core strands. Firstly ethical and professional standards will be examined in detail. The course will then focus on the practical issues and skills surrounding research projects, their development and their management. An emphasis on applied research, and on research with different populations, will be made during the course. 

This module is designed to equip students with key knowledge that is at the forefront of the developmental discipline. In light of this the module will cover both classic and contemporary theories in a range of diverse areas which may include early development, the social self and the family, symbolic development and communication, parenting, relationships within and beyond the family, adolescent development and identity. The module will also explore personal and professional development

This module is designed to introduce students to a range of neuro-developmental and psychological disorders affecting children and adolescents. It will consider theoretical models and approaches which explain disorders in childhood and adolescence as well as issues relating to classification, diagnosis, assessment, intervention and treatment with a particular focus upon the role of parents, family, peers and educators. Research methods and ethics when working with children, adolescents and their families will also be considered.

This module focuses on family psychology in society, examining social and cultural influences on family functioning.The module also emphasises the practical applications of family psychology, including the interplay between psychology and social policy, and interventions for helping families in crisis. Consequently, some sessions my be delivered by outside speakers, who are practitioners in the field, depending on availability.

This module focuses on the changing family, with change conceptualised as both diversity in the family unit, and the adjustment of family members to transitions within the life cycle, such as the transition to parenthood. This will include the consideration of classic and contemporary theories and research in the area of family lifestyle and transition

The focus of this module is to enable students to further strengthen their knowledge of a specific research area in family and child psychology and further develop their research methodology skills through development of a dissertation. The module will also facilitate student's critical reflections on their skills development, relevance to employability and transferability to careers.