Module: FPS6000-20 Forensic Dissertation - Research report

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Rui Paulo

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.paulo@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will conclude the final year forensic dissertation and will require you to produce a formal write-up of your research project. As such, you must address the feedback from the ‘pre-registration document’ in order to synthesise the rationale and methodology of your project for presentation in the final report write up. You will also collect and analyse data in line with your ethical approval and analysis pipeline. The report should therefore be a continuation of the pre-registration document that will form a piece of work in the style of a manuscript suitable for publication within a forensic-themed peer-review journal.

The aims of this module are to enable you to:

• Develop an idea of what it is to practise as a forensic-specialised academic

• Preparation for an MSc in Forensic Psychology

• Develop skills of research selection, synthesis and appraisal consistent with the production of a research report in the style of a journal article.

• Assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of particular models, theories and research in terms of their descriptive, predictive and explanatory value.

• Manage data collection and collation independently with consideration of ethical guidelines.

• Demonstrate sound application of research methods and techniques to effective report writing of a forensic psychology project.

• Use a logical approach to interpreting data and discuss findings in the context of particular models, theories and research.

• Refine skills in writing psychological research consistent with the format used in Forensic Psychology journals.

2. Outline syllabus:

The relevant techniques that you will require to complete this module will be covered through one-to-one meetings with the dissertation supervisor. The skills learned through the pre-requisites for the current module will also be valuable in successful completion of the current module.

Supervisors will focus on providing you with specialist guidance on specific aspects of your project, relating to the research area of psychology that is being studied.

These may include the following topics:

• Guidance on theoretical issues in current area of study.

• Programming of computerised tasks to assess behaviour.

• Access to relevant scales.

• Skills in working with large data sets

• Analysis guidance that is specific to research question.

• How to write a successful research project

3. Teaching and learning activities:

The primary aim of this module is self-directed study under the guidance of a specialist supervisor. To further support you in preparation of the dissertation, you are required to attend a series of documented one-to-one tutorials in which your on-going work is monitored and guided.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research report (5000 words).

• % Weighting: 100