Students enrolled on University of Brighton psychology degrees complete compulsory research methods modules in the first and second year. These modules involve the teaching of quantitative and qualitative research in terms of study design, methods and analyses. The teaching, learning, and assessment of psychological research methods is vital: it is a key requirement for accreditation of psychology degrees by The British Psychological Society (BPS), and it provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to complete their Psychology Dissertation in the final year, as such it reflects a significant part of the degree course for a large cohort of students.
In 2016 a programme of “study participation” for students was implemented for the first time which requested that all Psychology degree students take part in research studies conducted by final year dissertation students or staff. Students were encouraged to obtain at least 10 participation credits each academic year, with book vouchers offered to the students with the largest number of credits. Study participation encourages direct interaction with active research, in accordance with the University Strategy 2016-2021 and the Research and Enterprise Strategic Plan 2017-2021.
Based on student feedback, whilst only in its first year, this initiative can be viewed as successful. Importantly the accrual of credits was not a module requirement, nevertheless approximately 60% of first years, and 80% of second years took part and despite being asked to only obtain 10 credits some students gained over 100. Study participation was described by students as “addictive” and “lots of fun” and being a participant “made the prospect of conducting my own research less scary”. Most students who provided feedback strongly agreed that study participation was “a useful experience” and agreed that “taking part in studies will help me when it comes to my dissertation”.