A Delphi study to strengthen research methods training in undergraduate psychology programmes

Pre-print


Thibault, R., Bailey-Rodriguez, D., Bartlett, J., Blazey, P., Green, R., Pownall, M. and Munafò, M. 2023. A Delphi study to strengthen research methods training in undergraduate psychology programmes. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gp9aj
TypePre-print
TitleA Delphi study to strengthen research methods training in undergraduate psychology programmes
AuthorsThibault, R., Bailey-Rodriguez, D., Bartlett, J., Blazey, P., Green, R., Pownall, M. and Munafò, M.
Abstract

Psychology programmes often emphasise inferential statistical tests over a solid understanding of data and research design. This imbalance may leave graduates under-equipped to effectively interpret research and employ data to answer questions. We conducted a two-round modified-Delphi to identify the research methods skills that the UK psychology community deems essential for undergraduates to learn. Participants included 103 research methods instructors, academics, students, and non-academic psychologists. Of 78 items included in the consensus process, 34 reached consensus. We coupled these results with a qualitative analysis of 707 open-ended text responses to develop nine recommendations for organisations that accredit undergraduate psychology programmes—such as the British Psychological Society (BPS). We recommend that accreditation standards emphasise (1) dataskills, (2) research design, (3) descriptive statistics, (4) critical analysis, (5) qualitative methods, and (6) both parameter estimation and significance testing; as well as (7) give precedence to foundational skills, (8) promote transferable skills, and (9) create space in curricula to enable these recommendations. Our data and findings can inform modernised accreditation standards to include clearly-defined, assessable, and widely-encouraged skills that foster a competent graduate body for the contemporary world.

KeywordsDelphi; psychology education; research methods; consensus; British Psychological Society; accreditation standards; undergraduate; replication; statistics; qualitative methods; research design
Sustainable Development Goals4 Quality education
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Preprint server/collectionPsyArXiv
Place of publicationOnline
Publication dates
Online21 Jul 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted21 Jul 2023
Deposited17 Oct 2023
Output statusPublished
First submitted version
License
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gp9aj
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Is previous version ofA Delphi study to strengthen research-methods training in undergraduate psychology programs
LanguageEnglish
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