University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: Full Year

Availability restrictions: Available only to students in the second year of the Honours Programme and MSc students.

Planned timetable: Tuesday 2-3pm, Semester 1 Weeks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and Semester 2 Week 1

In this module, students will select a key psychological or neuroscience research finding to review (subject to approval by module controller). Students will engage with understanding the historical antecedents, as well as the theoretical and methodological context related to the area and the specific research finding. Students will also engage with how to develop evidence-based evaluation of the impact of research findings on psychological or neuroscience research and society. Throughout the module, students will receive extensive training in how to communicate effectively, culminating in the generation of a review essay on the chosen subject.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Module prerequisites may be waived for students with entry into Honours Psychology. Before taking this module you must pass PS2002

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take BL4200 or take PN4299 or take PS4299

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 6 x 1-hour workshops in Semester 1 and 2 3 x 1-hour one-to-one supervision sessions in Semester 1 and 2

Scheduled learning hours: 9

Guided independent study hours: 141

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr M K Schweinfurth
Module teaching staff: Dr Manon Schweinfurth
Module coordinator email ms397@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• 1. Be familiar with the issues that arise when trying to judge the scientific and social impact of psychological or neuroscience research.
• 2. Understand how good reviews differ from uncritical lists of summaries of scientific studies.
• 3. Organise material obtained from multiple scientific studies so that patterns across studies can be observed.
• 4. Be able to structure an evidence-based argument in a persuasive way.
• 5. Be able to independently plan and write a review focused on a specific domain of research literature.