Cyberpsychology - MSc

This module runs across Terms One, Two, and Three. Terms One and Two include taught elements, which may cover topics such as:

• new technologies
• digital technologies in education and mental health and well-being
• online research methods.

Tutorials will support you in coursework preparation, as well as preparing you for the work-based learning opportunity in Term Three and your individual work-based learning report.

Whether you wish to proceed directly into employment, further study or research, this module is designed to increase your employability and benefit your future choices. The eight-week work-based learning opportunity within a cyberpsychology-relevant organisation will give you the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life cyberpsychology practice and contribute to the everyday professional work in these organisations.

You’ll explore various aspects of cyberspaces (both online and digital technology environments) and the behaviours mediated by technology. There may also be specialist lectures and seminar sessions delivered by experts in their fields, including online and video gaming, cyberspace, cybersecurity, and online relationships.

This module is taught at our Clifton Campus alongside MSc IT Security students. It highlights the breadth of cyberpsychology by incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to online behaviours. You’ll gain a critical appreciation of both the theoretical and practical issues in the field of computer forensics, consolidate your knowledge of various computing systems and understand their importance to computer forensics investigations, and develop the necessary skills, methodologies, and processes to conduct an initial computer forensics investigation within an organisation.

Module content may include:

• computer crime and the role of computer forensics in law enforcement and the organisation
• investigation processes and procedures
• the computer forensics environment
• hard drives and storage media
• operating systems, e.g. Windows and Linux
• computer forensics tools and techniques
• file system and deleted data analysis
• investigating electronic files and meta-data
• network forensics.

This module aims to equip you with the ability to plan, carry out and evaluate professional skills in a psychological setting. You’ll be introduced to a range of key professional skills necessary for the pursuit of an academic or professional career in psychology or related disciplines.

You’ll explore and critically examine a psychological research question of your choice in the area of cyberpsychology. The research may be an empirical project, or could take the form of a non-empirical dissertation. In both cases, regular supervision will be provided to guide you in the planning, preparation, conduction, and write up of the research.

You’ll choose one from a selection of five existing postgraduate Psychology research methods modules:

This module introduces a range of key research and research dissemination skills necessary for the pursuit of an academic or professional career in psychology (or related disciplines). It aims to ensure that you are capable of planning, carrying out and seeking funding for ethically sound, independent research projects in a psychological setting, and that you are able to present your research results in a variety of media for both professional and non-professional audiences.

You’ll examine the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of statistics used in experimental research, for example statistical inference, power, and effect size. This typically draws on a regression / GLM approach to statistics, focusing on the relationship between multiple linear regression, ANOVA and ANCOVA.

This module will provide you with a basic knowledge of psychometric theory and how it can be applied to the different stages of test development. It will demonstrate the process of test development through practical application of theory, and you'll work in a group to produce your own psychometric scale.

Concerned with the subjective world, this module focuses on finding out not just what people think, but why they think it, and investigating human experience in order to understand peoples’ opinions, motivations, and feelings. You’ll gain a comprehensive philosophical and methodological grounding in qualitative research in order to draw out understandings and perceptions, explore the complex nature of settings and culture, and appreciate the links between process and outcome.

You’ll work with other students on a collective observational analysis of video-taped material, in order to develop your knowledge and practical skills in the area of observational research methods.

The number of places available on some optional modules may be limited. These will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are unable to select their first choice will be offered an alternative from the remaining optional modules.