A Delphi study to strengthen research-methods training in undergraduate psychology programs

Thibault, R. T., Bailey-Rodriguez, D., Bartlett, J. E. , Blazey, P., Green, R. J., Pownall, M. and Munafò, M. R. (2024) A Delphi study to strengthen research-methods training in undergraduate psychology programs. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 7(1), (doi: 10.1177/25152459231213808) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Psychology programs often emphasize inferential statistical tests over a solid understanding of data and research design. This imbalance may leave graduates underequipped 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 nonacademic 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 organizations that accredit undergraduate psychology programs—such as the British Psychological Society. We recommend that accreditation standards emphasize (1) data skills, (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 modernized accreditation standards to include clearly defined, assessable, and widely encouraged skills that foster a competent graduate body for the contemporary world.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: R. T. Thibault is supported by a general support grant awarded to the Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS) from Arnold Ventures and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. M. R. Munafò is part of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MC_UU_00011/7). This project did not receive specific funding.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bartlett, Dr James

Creator Roles

Bartlett, J.: Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Thibault, R. T., Bailey-Rodriguez, D., Bartlett, J. E., Blazey, P., Green, R. J., Pownall, M., and Munafò, M. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2515-2459
• ISSN (Online): 2515-2459
• Published Online: 29 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024
• First Published: First published in Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science 7(1)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence