Core Modules

Psychological Methods in Developmental Research

This module focuses on a broad range of psychological methods used in developmental research. The course will cover specific design considerations when conducting research with children, and introduce students to commonly used tests in developmental research. Issues concerning study replication, test reliability and validity will be explored, as well as the more practical aspects of working with children in different experimental and naturalistic settings. The module will work towards enabling students to plan out the methods section of their dissertation project and research protocol. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the issues covered through group work and a final assessment.

Research Skills

This module focuses on issues involved in planning and undertaking research and disseminating research findings. It discusses governance and ethical issues involved in conducting research with human participants. The module will cover literature /systematic reviews and databases available for searching previous literature and strategies for searching. The module enables students to plan out their project and discuss potential issues with the class and supervisors. In addition, the module considers issues involved in dissemination of findings to different audiences and how to evaluate research. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the issues through group work to address a specific research issue.

Atypical Development In An Educational Context

This module will focus on atypical development in an educational context. Students will learn about the atypical development of language, literacy and communication skills and mathematical cognition, and the implication of deficits in some core cognitive skills, such as working memory and executive function. The students will also learn about specific developmental disorders, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and language and communication disorders. The module will begin with a focus on core cognitive processing relating to working memory and executive functioning, and consider how atypical profiles in underlying cognitive functions can lead to adverse learning experiences in the classroom. In the second part of the module, research on language and communication disorders, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism will be reviewed and critically evaluated. The module will also cover educational interventions.

Childhood Adversity: From Basic Science To Improving Outcomes

The module will introduce leading theories and research in developmental psychopathology and develop students critical understanding of the relationships between childhood adversity, mental health, educational outcomes and behavioural outcomes throughout development. Content will include research into both familial and socioeconomic indices of adversity, and how different aspects of adversity interact to produce outcomes. Mediators and moderators of outcomes will also be explored. Students will also be introduced to a selection of evidence based interventions aimed at promoting positive outcomes for parents and children growing up in adversity, and will gain an understanding of the issues surrounding evidence based interventions, including the theoretical underpinnings and implementation of the programmes, the policy context, and what evidence based really means. Discussion will extend beyond examination of main effects to the consideration of the causal mechanisms and pathways which promote long-term success, as well as the mediators and moderators of outcome.

Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 1

This module provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct independent qualitative research. The aim of this module is to equip students with knowledge to understand, design, conduct and critically appraise qualitative research. It contains teaching on philosophical assumptions underpinning qualitative research and a practical understanding of the main qualitative research methods. The main four methodological approaches such as thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, discourse, and narrative analysis will be introduced in this course.

Dissertation Applied Developmental Psychology

This module provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research into a topic appropriate for the Masters pathway they are pursuing. This involves identifying a viable research issue or question pertinent to the domain of Psychology they are studying; designing a strategy for investigation that will address the research question and/or hypotheses which can be logically defended and is in accordance with the School of Psychology at QUB and BPS ethical guidelines; conducting appropriate statistical analyses that address the hypotheses and/or applying other more qualitative analytic methods as appropriate to the research question; interpreting findings - whether numerical/statistical or in the form of verbatim transcripts, with reference to relevant theory and/or previous research, in an informed and defendable way acknowledging their own role in the analytic process; coherently articulating the benefits and limitations of the research; identifying the implications for future research and, where appropriate, also the practical implications with due recognition of the scope and boundaries of these implications. Dissertations will normally involve data collection, although there may be instances where existing datasets can be used for meta-analytic purposes or for additional analyses.

Quantitative Data Analysis 1

This module offers a refresher session on inferential statistics and discusses the underlying assumptions, the use and conduct of a range of statistical techniques including ANOVA models, multiple and logistic regression.

Theoretical Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Development

The main aim of this module is to equip students with the current understanding of the key theories of child and adolescent development from psychosocial and psychobiological perspectives. The module will begin with an overview of attachment theory with an emphasis on up to date research on the longer term consequences of attachment quality. Research on the impact of parenting styles, family structure and peer relationships (microsystems) on the development of pro-social behaviour will be reviewed and critically evaluated. The influences of social context (macro-system) on child development will also be reviewed. Students are then introduced to the fundamentals of cognitive and brain development from childhood through adolescence as a precursor for understanding individual variations in response to adverse environments. The latter part of the module will present recent developments in our understanding of how the child's social context interacts with their genetic and biological environment during development to produce both positive and negative outcomes. The introduction to these key issues will set the stage for understanding development in the context of adversity which will be introduced in parallel modules.

Optional Modules

Introduction to Therapeutic Skills

Students will receive an introduction to therapeutic skills relevant to a variety of clinical and other applied contexts. The course will involve role plays and skills practice sessions. Indicative topics include applying basic clinical skills, ACT, CBT, systemic therapy, and motivational interviewing. The course will help students to draw links between underlying theory and clinical practice.

Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 2

This module will deepen students’ understanding of five approaches to qualitative research: grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and visual methodologies. It will include discussions of the epistemological and ontological considerations that underpin these approaches, as well the opportunity to gain hands on experience of analysing qualitative data using each of them. Students will be introduced with the basic functions of using NVivo software to facilitate data analysis.

Placement Applied Developmental Psychology

This module will give the students an opportunity to experience first-hand working with children from adverse contexts. The students will select a placement in either an applied or a research environment. Potential placements could be with Sure Start Centres throughout Northern Ireland or with voluntary agencies such as New Lodge Arts, Newry and Mourne carers, YMCA Belfast, Newtownards & Bangor Contact Centre or Parenting NI. Some students will also have the opportunity to work abroad, for example with Dr Paul O Callaghan in West Africa. A minimum of 60 hours will be spent on work placement. Students along with staff will choose an appropriate work environment where the students will have the opportunity to experience working with children in adverse environments across a variety of contexts. Students will be encouraged to become actively involved where possible.

Quantitative Data Analysis 2

This module offers an introduction to the use and conduct of a range of statistical techniques including factor analyses, SEM and mediation & moderation analyses. It also discusses validity and reliability issues in test construction.

• The programme's subject matter is relevant to careers in Educational and Clinical Psychology. It is also relevant to those students, who may decide to pursue a PhD in Psychology.
• The programme is designed to prepare graduate students for more advanced research in developmental psychology, for professional training in psychology or related disciplines, and/or for employment in children's voluntary or statutory services. It will also provide graduates with the research skills and knowledge to carry out a PhD in developmental psychology and/or in childhood studies, and to pursue an academic career.
• Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.