Research methods and statistics workshop: 2024

Description

This workshop will cover both quantitative and qualitative methods and will be of particular value to DE200 students, supporting the key statistics and qualitative methods for this module, but it will also be relevant to any student who wishes to improve their understanding of research methods and confidence in carrying out statistical testing. For those studying at level 3 it will provide a useful reminder and revision of statistics, filling in some of the gaps in your existing understanding, and will be particularly helpful to those who feel they are struggling with statistics.

A psychology degree is widely promoted as producing graduates who are both literate and numerate. However, students studying at traditional universities would typically receive three hours tuition on research methods and statistics every week throughout their first two years of study. The independent nature of OU study makes this level of support impossible and can leave OU psychology students trailing a little. To address this issue, two experienced tutors, Neil Frude and Jim Handley, have put together a workshop which will be offered at an OUPS weekend in Warwick.

Although they are best known to OUPS members for their inspirational and entertaining lectures at OUPS revision weekends on the social and cognitive courses, between them Neil and Jim have more than forty years experience  teaching statistics and research methods and have successfully supervised several hundred undergraduate and postgraduate students' research projects, theses and dissertations. Neil has also published a well-received book on statistical analysis using SPSS. Students who attend the revision weekend frequently comment in their feedback that Neil and Jim both have a gift for making complex concepts understandable.

Tutors

Professor Neil Frude is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. He was the Clinical Research Director of the South Wales Doctoral Training Course in Clinical Psychology for 16 years and was involved in the selection process throughout that time. He also acted as an External Examiner for six other clinical psychology training courses and has taught on many professional psychology training courses including those in counselling psychology, educational psychology, health psychology and forensic psychology. Neil has taught research methods and social psychology at the OUPS revision weekends for many years and is noted for his lively, engaging and inspiring style. He is also the author of “A Guide to SPSS” published by Palgrave Macmillan and – in a somewhat different key - he performed as a stand-up comedian for 16 nights at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004.

Jim Handley has tutored on Open University cognitive psychology courses since 1997 and is a regular at the OUPS revision weekend. He has a reputation for inspiring, informative and entertaining presentations. As a HCPC registered Occupational Psychologist he uses psychology to solve real world problems, for example: influencing behaviour to help organisations reduce their energy consumption/carbon footprint; and helping individuals and groups improve their psychological well-being and resilience.

Please remember to bring your own laptops to this workshop

The provisional timetable is as follows:

Lecture Day/Time Session name and details

Friday: 7:45 - 9:30pm: Session 1: Overview and Orientation (Research, knowledge and science)

Saturday: 9:00 - 10:30am: Session 2.: Statistics from Scratch - Part 1

Saturday: 11:00 - 12:45pm: Session 3: Statistics from Scratch - Part 2

Saturday: 2:00 - 3:30pm : Session 4: SPSS Chi Square and Correlation (Analysis of categorical data and association of two variables)

Saturday: 4:00 - 5:30pm: Session 5: The Art of Asking Questions

Sunday: 9:00 - 10:30am: Session 6: Qualitative Analysis

Sunday: 11:00 - 12:30pm: Session 7: t-tests (Differences between two conditions)

Sunday: 1:30 - 3:00pm: Session 8: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression

Feedback

These are some of the comments that students have made about recent research methods and statistics workshops:

"a thoroughly useful introduction to stats and qualitative methods"

"everything now makes a lot more sense¦ Both tutors have been great "

" stats doesn't now scare me as much. You both made it fun."

"This weekend has boosted my confidence"

"The weekend made stats less heavy and much more fun!"

"Excellent and confidence-building. Highly recommended."

"I found out I actually like statistics!"

"Now I really understand the normal distribution!"

'The tutors knew exactly how to pitch the level of teaching of stats to my level - for once in my life I was totally engrossed, learnt so much and thoroughly enjoyed the experience '

'The whole weekend has boosted my confidence so much! '

'They could not have been better - I had been anxious and they immediately made me feel at ease'

'Really enjoyed it - The SPSS hands on work was superb - thank you'

'The two lecturers were fantastic - who would have thought stats would be so much fun! '

'Knowledgeable, motivating, sense of humour, helpful, approachable, inspiring and passionate about the topic'

'Fun, interactive learning, friendly, concise and clear explanations - interesting and educational'

'I just want to say what a fantastic event it was at Warwick University this weekend. I met colleagues from different parts of UK, and made new friends. Great organisation and very helpful workshop. Hopefully will see you again soon, probably in September ?? Thank you OUPS'

What to expect

The lectures are conducted in management conference seminar rooms within the University campus, and you will have been provided with a timetable of talks and lecture notes before you arrive. Attendees can arrive any time after 3pm on Friday afternoon, with dinner served at 6pm. The weekend finishes at 3pm on the Sunday

You can choose how you spend your time. If you book the residential package then you will have a very comfortable ensuite room in management conference facilities complete with bedding, towels, a hairdryer, coffee-making facilities and desk. Wifi is also included. The training centre has a small exercise room within the buliding and you also have complimentary access to the gym and pool on campus, so if you do need to relax then there is the option to do so.

The full cost is inclusive of all meals, including Friday night and Saturday night dinner. There are no extra costs involved (except for drinks at the bar!). As well as your room and all meals this includes refreshments at break times, extensive handouts which are only available to attendees, revision of key course material, advice on revision techniques and assessment, welcome drink on Friday night. Non-residential places are available for a reduction, and the same breakfast, lunch, dinner and all tea/coffee/snack breaks during the day are still included. Please contact us for details if you are interested in this option.

The welcome drinks and psychology book stall  are both excellent places to meet the tutors and other students.  Our OUPS committee member will also introduce themselves so you'll know who to contact if you have any questions. You can enjoy your meals with a group of students in the comfortable dining room. The food is fresh, healthy catering, and there is something to entice everyone.

Finally, whilst most students leave exhausted from the learning and socialising, they comment that it is such a worthwhile weekend, and we see many of them each year as they progress their studies!

Venue

The weekend takes place at Scarman Conference and Training Centre, University of Warwick. Both accommodation and lectures are located in the same building unless you have been informed otherwise.

Warwick is an award winning conference venue with excellent facilities. Access to the sports facilities, including the swimming pool, are included in the price. The university's central location with excellent transport links makes it easily accessible from all over the UK and Europe. There is ample free car parking.

Accessibility

Click here for information on accessibility, parking and other related facilities.

Travel and directions

Click here for satnav postcodes and directions to the University of Warwick.

For campus maps go to Warwick Campus Maps.