Exploring psychology project
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| End-of-course assessment | Residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This short course, with a week-long residential school at its core, provides an opportunity to develop your practical skills in psychological research. It builds on the associated course Exploring psychology (DSE212), using materials from this course – alongside other resources – to help you prepare for the residential school. During the residential week, you will engage in activities that demonstrate the practical and ethical issues involved in conducting research. You’ll also design, conduct and analyse one project as part of a group, using either quantitative or qualitative methods. Register early if you have a preferred date and venue in mind as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.
An alternative, online course that develops the same practical skills is offered under the course code DZX222. For further information on which course is the most suitable for you, see DXR222 or DZX222: Making the right choice.
Course content
The course is divided into three principal components. The first involves preparatory work and activities, revising aspects of psychological research methodology and statistical analysis that you explored in DSE212 (you must have completed TMAs 03 and 05 of DSE212 before undertaking DXR222). A study guide directs you through this work, which is mainly reading with a few multiple choice questions and other activities, and provides information about the assignments that you will complete. The second component is the residential week itself, which will be held at several UK universities during July and August. You will be asked to choose your week when you register for the course. Places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The third component is the assignment you complete after your residential school week. See our Residential Schools website for more information.
The residential week starts with preparatory activities based around the two psychological topics of memory and communication. On Sunday and Monday you will participate in tutor-guided activities, based on different steps in the research cycle, designed to prepare you for the group-based project work that you complete during the rest of the week. Over the course of the week, you will learn more about collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, and gain experience of using different experimental and observational techniques. You will also have an introduction to the use of electronic databases and guided tuition in using a more advanced computer-based statistical analysis than you conducted in DSE212 (but using the same computer package, SPSS).
After the residential school you will be asked to write an assignment comprising a report of the research you have conducted.
Entry
This Level 2 course builds on the content and skills developed in the first half of DSE212, so you should either take DSE212 and DXR222 in the same year, or take DXR222 after you have successfully completed DSE212. You must have completed TMAs 03 and 05 of DSE212 before undertaking DXR222. (N.B.: if you studied DSE212 prior to the October 2007 presentation you must have completed TMAs 03 and 04). The two courses are closely linked and together they provide excellent preparation for further studies in psychology. It is expected that you will complete DXR222/DZX222 before attempting the Level 3 psychology courses.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
DXR222 is a compulsory course in our
DXR222 is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- Diploma in Psychology (Conversion for Postgraduates) (D15)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
If this course is in a similar area to one you have already completed, you can find out if it is an excluded combination.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Attendance at the school is required, so if you feel it may present difficulties for you, you should take advice from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering. You could register for Exploring psychology on-line project (DZX222) instead. For more information to help you decide between DXR222 and DZX222 see DXR222 or DZX222: Making the right choice.
At the residential school you will be expected to participate in group work, use computers, conduct observations and run experiments. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the course website. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or using the internet and have any concerns about accessing the types of course materials outlined you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the residential school site and the facilities available to help with the academic programme.
The printed course materials are available in comb-bound format and on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and scientific, mathematical, foreign language, musical or graphic materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other materials may be available in future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklets Meeting Your Needs and Meeting your residential school needs, which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Study and assessment guide, other printed materials, course website, full board for a week (in student accommodation).
You will need
DVD player.
You will also need some DSE212 materials – course books 1, 2, and Exploring Psychological Research Methods, SPSSBooklet, the CD-ROMs, and DVD.
N.B. If you studied DSE212 prior to the October 2007 presentation you will need the following DSE212 materials - course books 1 and 2, CD-ROMs, and methods booklets. You will also need the DSE212 videocassette for your preparatory work.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will work with several tutors during the residential school week. They will provide support and advice as you conduct and analyse your project work. You do not have a tutor during the rest of the study time on the course, but you will have access to a tutor-led online forum and a phone-based helpline to answer queries.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
Your participation at residential school will contribute towards the assessment, but the major assessed component will consist of a report of the project you conducted, submitted on paper.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for Recognition leaflet 3.1 British Psychological Society.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in June 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Psychology, Science and Social Sciences.
Study explained
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- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
I was a little apprehensive about doing the residential school, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable week ...
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This course was a residential school for a week with a TMA to be completed afterwards. The tutors were fantastic ...
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