Module manager: Phil Arthington
Email: p.s.arthington@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Programme entry requirements
| FAMT5661M | Systemic Psychotherapy Research |
| FAMT5771M | Systemic Psychotherapy Theory (One) |
| FAMT5881M | Systemic Psychotherapy Practice (One) |
| FAMT5772M | Systemic Psychotherapy Theory (Two) |
| FAMT5882M | Systemic Psychotherapy Practice (Two) |
FAMT5360M
This module is not approved as an Elective
In this module, students will carry out an original research project related to the field of systemic practice and family therapy. They will build on their knowledge of research methods and enhance their practical research skills through following a research methodology in order to investigate a research question, collect and analyse data and offering a critical and reflexive discussion of their findings.
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to design and carry out a research project which is relevant to their own clinical practice and developing identity as a systemic psychotherapist. This includes developing a research question, reviewing available literature, gathering and analysing data to investigate the research question and reporting on findings.
Objectives of the module are to:
- Enhance students’ knowledge of different research methodologies through taught sessions.
- Provide an opportunity for students to apply reflexive, critical thinking to their own research activities.
- Develop students’ ability to select and use research methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative) relevant to the field of systemic psychotherapy.
- Gather and analyse data and interpret their results
- Consider the implications of their findings for the practice of Systemic Psychotherapy.
On successful completion of the module students will:
LO1: Conduct an assessment of the ethical and governance considerations involved in carrying out a research project relevant to Systemic Psychotherapy.
LO2: Develop and follow a research plan which is appropriate to practical constraints regarding timescale and scope.
LO3: Conduct planned research in order to investigate a research question relevant to the field of Systemic Psychotherapy.
LO4: Present research findings in written or graphical form as appropriate.
LO5: Conduct an analysis of research findings and provide an account of them in relation to relevant published literature.
LO6: Critically evaluate the implications of the research findings for their own and others’ practice of Systemic Psychotherapy.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Academic Skills
AS5 – Information searching: Undertake a relevant literature review to support practice development and submission of assessments.
AS6 – Academic integrity and referencing: Engage in good academic practice with accurate referencing of the work of others and avoiding plagiarism in any form.
Digital Skills
DS1 – Information, data and media literacy: Make use of digital media and tools including search engines to inform their research, learning and clinical practice.
Enterprise Skills
ES1 - Developing vision and purpose: Generate and locate potential for positive change and learning in themselves and others in service development and research.
ES2 - Identifying Opportunities: Identify areas for development and positive change in mental health care practice.
The syllabus will cover the following topic areas through a combination of lectures and seminars:
- Methods of conducting a literature review
- How to critically evaluate published quantitative and qualitative research
-Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies relevant to systemic psychotherapy research
- Data collection, data analysis and making sense of findings
- Ethics, power and difference in research
- Reflexive practice in research
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Lecture | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 425 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 450 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback on their research project through a series of group seminars (9 hours in total) and individual supervision sessions with staff (4 hours in total).
Please note that this formative feedback will be offered in response to those supervisory and seminar discussions, and does not involve students to undertake additional coursework for formative assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 8,000 word dissertation | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team