Using Psychology to Tackle Social Issues: The Role of Applied Research and Evaluation

Overview

Psychology as a discipline has the potential to deliver considerable benefits to society in general, and to certain stakeholders in particular. The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of how psychological theory and methodology can be used to tackle social issues through applied research and programme evaluation.

Over the course of the module, students are provided with a unique opportunity to work on real-world issues in the areas of peacebuilding, addiction, and education. In the first half of the module, students will critically examine applied research within these three areas. They will have the opportunity to see how existing theory is adapted and developed based upon “real-world” findings. Additionally, students will be introduced to the ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges, as well as the strengths and limitations of using psychological theory outside of the laboratory.

In the second half of the module, students will have an opportunity to see how psychologists translate their methodological and analytic expertise to the field of theory-driven evaluation science. Returning to the areas of peacebuilding, addiction, and education students will explore local, national, and international interventions. Students will be given the opportunity to determine the logic model underpinning the specific interventions, including the potential mechanisms of change, as well as the way in which context may support or hinder the intervention from delivering observed outcomes. Completed impact evaluations of these interventions will then be critically examined.

Lectures and seminars will be led by experts in the subject, focusing on their own area of expertise providing both an overview and detailed coverage of the ways in which psychologists use their theoretical and methodological expertise to tackle social issues through applied research and evaluation. Focus will be placed upon the ethical and practical considerations of conducting research with marginalised groups, the importance of developing effective, collaborative relationships with partners outside of academics, and the mechanisms by which rigorous applied research and evaluations can impact evidence-based policymaking.

This module’s content maps onto the UN Sustainable Development Goals including:
Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing; in particular, 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol and 3.4: reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
Goal 4: Quality Education; in particular, 4.5: Eliminate all discrimination in education and 4.7: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality; in particular, 10.2: Promote universal social, economic and political inclusion, 10.3 Ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination, and 10.4 Adopt fiscal and social policies that promotes equality.
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; in particular, 16.1 Reduce violence everywhere.

Learning Objectives

On completion of the module students should be able to:
1. Understand the role of psychological theory and rigorous research methods and analytic strategies in promoting positive social change.
2. Develop an understanding of the human relations and social interactions that ground applied researchers’ and evaluators’ effectiveness for professional practice.
3. Identify and appropriately deploy psychological theory and empirical research to address real-world problems.
4. Develop an understanding of some of the challenges that are commonly encountered in the application of psychology (e.g., ethical, logistical, methodological) and some solutions to those challenges
5. Understand the stages and methods for conducting programme evaluations that are theoretically grounded, practical, and above all else, useful.
6. Understand the research skills necessary to effectively evaluate applied interventions
7. Develop general critical, analytical, and problem solving skills which can be applied in a wide range of different applied psychological and extra-psychological settings.

Skills

Students will develop an enquiring and critical approach to understanding applied psychological and evaluation.
They will strengthen their skills in appraising research and underpinning theory, and gain a solid understanding of key debates and theories within this field.
They will be able to appreciate the ethical issues involved in applied research and evaluation, as well as working with marginalised groups and collaborating effectively with non-academic partners.
They will also develop their ability to communicate research findings to others persuasively in written and oral format.

Assessment

None