Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this assessment and this module, you will have demonstrated your ability to:
1. Design, conduct and report a study of human cognition that extends previous theory and research within the field of cognitive psychology.
2. Explain key social psychological concepts, models and theoretical orientations in contemporary social psychology research.
3. Compare the objectives, strengths, weaknesses and contributions of different approaches to the study of a social psychology topic.
Graded assessments
Assessment description: There are two parts to this assessment:
CW1: A research project based on one of the cognitive psychology topics presented in the module (memory, attention, language, reasoning or problem solving).
Assessment Component: Assessment weighting: Assessment limits: Assesses module learning outcome/s:
1. 50% Maximum word count – 2,000 words 1
Last submission Date/Time: Provisional feedback released:
CW1- 01/12/20 by 23:59 hrs UK time
After 15 working days
Provisional grades will be reviewed by an Internal Moderator and the External Examiner. You will be notified of the ratified grade one week after the Assessment Board which is held on the 21st January (subject to change).
Detailed guidance for coursework 1:
Component 1: COURSEWORK
Summary of Assessment Method: Cognitive psychology research project
Weighting: 50 %
Assesses Learning Outcomes: 1
In small groups (3-5 students) you will design and conduct a research project on a cognitive psychology topic of your choice. You will need to:
• Select an area of cognitive psychology (memory, attention, problem solving, language or reasoning) covered in the module learning materials units 1-4 and/or the starter references in assessment resources folder in the assessment tab.
• Base your study topic on previous research and existing theories derived from a thorough literature review. You should start off reading some broad background literature in the chosen area so as to familiarise yourself with it, and then focus your reading on selected journal articles that you can build upon.
• Create a design that replicates and extends a previous study. You cannot do a straightforward replication.
• Select one independent variable (IV) and one dependent variable (DV), and create an experiment or correlational design. Your design must be analysed using t-tests, one-way ANOVAs (repeated and independent measures with two or three levels of IV) or non-parametric equivalents, chi-square, or correlations (Pearson’s or Spearman’s).
• Use a quasi-experimental design (i.e. gender, age, or any other demographic) only if clearly motivated by existing published research.
• Gain ethical approval for your research proposal from your module tutor via Turnitin. There is a research proposal template and an example consent form in the assessment resources folder. You will only receive a passing grade for the module if your study was granted ethical approval.
• Analyse your results using SPSS and write up your report individually, to meet learning objective 1. Information about SPSS is available in the assessment resources folder.
• Ensure your report contains the standard subsections. See CW1 (Cognitive) Research Report Guidelines in the assessment resources folder for more information.
• Focus your report on the introduction and discussion, to demonstrate your knowledge of cognitive psychology (learning objective 1; see also marking rubric later in this document).
Your work will be marked based on the rubric below (page 7).
Assessment description: CW2: A 10-minute narrated presentation evaluating the strength and weaknesses of different approaches to the study of a social psychology topic discussed in the module.
Assessment Component: Assessment weighting: Assessment limits: Assesses module learning outcome/s:
2. 50% Maximum time allowed = 10 minutes. 2. & 3.
Last submission Date/Time: Provisional feedback released:
03/12/20 by 23:59 hrs UK time After 15 working days
Provisional grades will be reviewed by an Internal Moderator and the External Examiner. You will be notified of the ratified grade one week after the Assessment Board which is held on the 21st January September 2020 (subject to change).
Detailed guidance for coursework 2:
Component 2: COURSEWORK
Summary of Assessment Method: Social psychology narrated presentation
Weighting: 50 %
Assesses Learning Outcomes: 2 & 3
This piece of coursework provides an opportunity to present and critically evaluate approaches, methodologies and research on a social psychology topic of your choice. You will create a 10-minute narrated presentation. You will need to:
• Select a topic from the list below.
• Carry out a wide range of background reading, starting with the relevant learning materials and supported by the starter references in the assessment resources folder.
• Identify important concepts, approaches, theories, research or contributions that are applicable to that topic.
• Create a presentation that describes and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses in relation to your chosen topic, meeting learning outcomes 2 and 3.
• There are narrated presentation guidelines in assessment resources.
• There are topic and content suggestions in assessment resources.
You should select one of the following topics to critically evaluate:
1. Consider and evaluate critical vs experimental approaches to studying attitude towards group thinking.
2. Critically evaluate the contribution of attribution theory in understanding abusive behaviour
3. Consider and evaluate the contribution of social psychology research to reducing racism in real world applications.
Submission
You need to submit your audio presentation alongside the written transcript of your presentation on the date highlighted above. The written transcript is the verbatim speech you use for your 10-minute presentation. This can be placed in the notes section for each slide of your PowerPoint presentation. A detailed video of how to do this will be made available in the content.
Your work will be marked based on the rubric below (page 9).
Formative Assessments (0% weighting)
Formative assessments and activities are opportunities for you to apply, practice and make sense of the learning materials and content that you have worked with. These will mainly be located in the End of Unit Activities.
We have written these to help you to (for example) practice some academic or professional skills, such as referencing, literature searching and analysing materials. You can choose how much time and effort you put into these activities.
These may take the form of individual tasks, such as: reading some text, or watching a video and documenting your reaction to it; responding to some discussion points on the discussion forum; considering a case study; or, participating in a live online classroom session.
The main aim of formative activities is for you to receive feedback on your contribution, performance, or progress that will help you prepare for and complete your final summative (graded) assessments.
Assessment Presentation
Presentation is an important part of your academic work. Please follow the presentation guidelines below for coursework 1.
Title Page
Your title page must include: 1) the name of the university, 2) the course title, 3) the module code and title, 4) the name of the module tutor, 5) the word count, and 6) declarations (see below).
Originality statement
‘I declare that this assessment is my own work and that I have correctly acknowledged the work of others using the APA referencing. This assessment is in accordance with University guidance on good academic conduct.’
Coursework 1 project
Your manuscript needs to;
• Include page numbers
• Be double-spaced
• Have a 1-inch (2.54 cm) margin, Times New Roman or Arial, 12 font.
• Include a reference list (APA-7 referencing), headed with ‘References’ centred, do not make it bold. Please refer to Cite Them Right.
Coursework 2 presentation
Your presentation needs to:
• Include an oral voiceover
• Include a verbatim transcript in the notes section of the presentation
• Include a reference slide (APA-7 referencing), headed with ‘References’ centred, do not make it bold. Please refer to Cite Them Right.
Word Count
The word count is the strict upper limit therefore no 10% variance is applied. Words beyond the word count will NOT be reviewed for grading. This is the same for coursework 2 with regard to presentations over 10 minutes.
The word count includes;
– In-text citations
– Tables and figures
The word count does NOT include;
– Abstract and Reference list
– Front page (e.g., declaration statement and title).