CPD The Scientists Toolkit: Mastering Research Methods in Psychology

• New for September 2027

• No psychology background needed - part of our conversion course modules series

• Develop research and statistical analysis skills through Level 7 (master's level) study

• Learn how to design, conduct, analyse, and interpret psychological research

• Gain practical experience using statistical software and analysing real datasets

• Develop transferable skills in analytical reasoning, data literacy, and evidence-based decision-making

• Earn a 20-credit Liverpool John Moores University Certificate of Professional Development

• Study as a stand-alone single CPD module or progress through the MSc Psychology (Conversion) CPD pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum expectations

Develop quantitative research and statistical analysis skills through a flexible fully online postgraduate CPD module designed for professional and academic progression.

The Scientists Toolkit: Mastering Research Methods in Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University provides students with an advanced introduction to quantitative research methodology, statistical reasoning, and psychological data analysis.

Designed and delivered directly by LJMU’s School of Psychology, this fully online postgraduate CPD module combines academic rigour, flexible online learning, and research-informed teaching to support intellectual development, professional growth, and progression into postgraduate psychology study.

The module explores the principles underpinning scientific psychological inquiry and develops students’ competency in designing, conducting, analysing, and interpreting psychological research using both basic and advanced statistical procedures.

You will engage critically with key areas of quantitative research methodology including:

• research design and ethics
• statistical inference and hypothesis testing
• descriptive and inferential statistics
• ANOVA and factorial designs
• chi-square, correlation, and regression
• data management and interpretation
• critical evaluation of research validity and reliability
• evidence-based psychological reasoning

The module is designed for graduates and professionals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds who wish to develop advanced analytical and methodological skills while strengthening their understanding of scientific research in psychology.

You will study through a fully online and predominantly asynchronous model that allows flexible engagement with learning materials while balancing professional, personal, or caring responsibilities. Scheduled synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct interaction with academic staff and support a strong sense of academic community throughout the module.

Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary psychological research within LJMU’s School of Psychology. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate evidence, engage with academic literature, and develop confidence in the interpretation and communication of quantitative findings.

As the module is delivered directly by the university, you will benefit from the same institutional virtual learning environment and digital academic resources used across LJMU programmes, ensuring parity of academic standards and direct engagement with university staff.

Throughout the module, you will develop advanced transferable skills in:

• statistical reasoning
• research design
• quantitative data analysis
• evidence-based reasoning
• analytical problem-solving
• digital data literacy
• academic writing
• professional communication

Students who successfully complete the module will receive a Liverpool John Moores University Certificate of Professional Development worth 20 Level 7 credits.

The module may be studied independently as a standalone CPD qualification or combined with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework. Students who complete the required CPD modules may subsequently progress to the dissertation stage in order to complete the full MSc award.

The wider MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework has been designed around the curriculum expectations associated with future British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.

Teaching and learning on this fully online CPD programme are delivered through a flexible predominantly asynchronous model, enabling you to engage with statistical content, datasets, readings, and methodological resources at times that fit around professional and personal commitments.

Scheduled synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct interaction with academic staff, clarification of concepts, discussion of assessments, and academic guidance throughout the module.

You will learn through a combination of structured digital resources, guided independent study, applied analytical exercises, data-handling activities, critical discussion tasks, and engagement with psychological research literature.

The programme has been designed by academics with expertise in psychology, quantitative research methods, and postgraduate curriculum development. Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary developments in psychological science and statistical methodology.

The curriculum progresses through core principles of research design and ethics toward increasingly advanced statistical analysis and interpretation, supporting the development of analytical reasoning, research competence, reflective practice, and quantitative confidence.

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through a combination of:

• structured online learning materials
• guided reading of academic literature
• short-form multimedia learning resources
• applied statistical exercises
• online discussion and collaborative learning activities
• data analysis and interpretation tasks
• independent scholarly research
• scheduled synchronous office hours

The programme uses the same institutional virtual learning environment and systems as wider LJMU provision, ensuring students are fully integrated within the LJMU academic environment.

Applied learning

Throughout the programme, you will apply quantitative research methods and statistical reasoning to contemporary psychological questions and real-world datasets.

You will develop practical postgraduate-level skills in:

• research design and hypothesis testing
• statistical analysis and interpretation
• quantitative data handling
• critical evaluation of methodology
• evidence-based reasoning
• academic and professional communication
• digital analytical tools
• problem-solving and analytical decision-making

The final project enables students to demonstrate methodological competence and statistical reasoning through independent analysis and interpretation of quantitative psychological data.

Module information

The Scientists Toolkit: Mastering Research Methods in Psychology consists of one 20-credit Level 7 module studied across 12 weeks.

The curriculum has been designed to provide a rigorous introduction to quantitative psychological research methods while supporting the development of statistical competence and progression into wider postgraduate psychology study.

Students may study the module independently as a standalone Certificate of Professional Development or combine it with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework.

The module contributes toward a broader MSc Psychology (Conversion) pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum expectations.

• IELTS

  IELTS English Language at a minimum of 7.0 or equivalent, with no less than 6.5 in any single component.

• Undergraduate degree
  • Minimum 2:2 degree, obtained in a University recognised at the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
  • Must achieve 60% or above pass mark in final year research project/dissertation, or demonstrate the acquisition of a suficient foundation in research skills appropriate to Psychology

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

We are looking for students with intellectual curiosity, motivation, and commitment to engage critically with psychological research, quantitative reasoning, and evidence-based analysis.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to engage with postgraduate-level study through independent learning, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and effective written communication.

As this is an intensive Level 7 CPD module, effective time management and active engagement with online learning activities will be important to your success.

You should also be prepared to engage critically with academic literature, participate in online discussion and analytical activities, and develop advanced skills in quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, and scientific reasoning.

Assessment is designed to develop quantitative research competence, analytical reasoning, methodological understanding, and evidence-based interpretation through authentic postgraduate-level tasks.

You will be assessed through a combination of:

• discussion questions and reflective analytical activities
• statistical analysis assignments
• methodological evaluation tasks
• a final independent quantitative analysis project

Assignments are designed to develop confidence in statistical reasoning, data interpretation, research design, and the communication of analytical findings using appropriate academic conventions.

The final project enables students to critically evaluate psychological research questions while conducting and interpreting quantitative analyses using statistical software and real datasets.

Formative feedback is provided throughout the module to support progressive development in analytical reasoning, methodological judgement, academic writing, and statistical competency.