Maximising the educational and research value of the undergraduate dissertation in psychology

Creaven, A.-M., Button, K. S., Cleland Woods, H. and Nordmann, E. (2023) Maximising the educational and research value of the undergraduate dissertation in psychology. Collabra: Psychology, 9(1), 90216. (doi: 10.1525/collabra.90216)

Abstract

The undergraduate research dissertation in psychology is the capstone demonstration of research skills including project planning and design, considering and resolving ethical issues, and the analysis and dissemination of findings. The dissertation represents an opportunity for learning as well as an opportunity to contribute to the research literature in the student’s chosen area; however, few articles have considered both dimensions in detail. This article provides a roadmap for undergraduate thesis supervision, for early-career supervisors and supervisors aiming to better align their supervision and research activities and/or engage their students in open research practices via the dissertation. Specifically, we review prior literature on undergraduate psychology research supervision and identify several dimensions that vary in existing approaches. Drawing on our own supervision experiences, we describe four key recommendations for undergraduate supervision in psychology and discuss how these can support student learning as well as benefit research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cleland Woods, Heather and Nordmann, Dr Emily
• Authors: Creaven, A.-M., Button, K. S., Cleland Woods, H., and Nordmann, E.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2361 Curriculum
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Collabra: Psychology
• Publisher: University of California Press
• ISSN: 2474-7394
• ISSN (Online): 2474-7394
• Published Online: 04 December 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Collabra: Psychology 9(1):90216
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license