Last Updated on 22/08/2024
This page under review following a review of the Thesis Preparation Assignment (TPA) with updates to the page due in September 2024.
Introduction
The thesis is the largest piece of research work undertaken by trainees on the Lancaster Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Trainees usually begin work on this in the first year of study immediately following their completion of the first part of the Thesis Preparation Assignment and submit in March of their third year of study. They are normally examined during the summer of their third year.
Information about the thesis
The thesis consists of an investigation involving human participants within a subject of relevance to the theory and practice of clinical psychology, with the results constituting a substantial contribution to existing knowledge. In terms of scope, the DClinPsy thesis is smaller than a PhD and only includes one research chapter. Trainees should aim to produce work that is of a publishable standard. The word count limits for the three papers within the thesis are 8,000 words for the systematic literature review, 8,000 words for the research paper and 4,000 words for the critical appraisal. It is expected that the systematic literature review and research paper are submitted for publication.
For more information on the thesis, please see the Thesis process guidance for trainees in the online handbook.
For a list of titles of the theses submitted by trainees recently please see the previous thesis topics section of the online handbook.
Approximate timeline for the thesis
| Thesis Preparation Assignment (TPA) & Thesis | |
|---|---|
| YEAR 1 Sep – Oct |
|
| Nov – Dec |
|
| Jan – Mar |
|
| Apr – June |
|
| Jul – Sep |
|
| YEAR 2 Oct – Dec |
|
| Jan – Mar |
|
| Apr-Jun |
|
| Jul – Sep |
|
| YEAR 3 Oct– Dec |
|
| Jan – Mar |
|
| Apr – Aug |
|
Research collaborations
The programme actively encourages research collaborations with experts in the field. If you are interested in collaborating with the programme please download a copy of the collaboration form at the end of this page. You can either email your completed form to Sarah Heard at s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk or upload it to OneDrive.
Presentations
The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day in the June of their final year. This event is an opportunity for the trainees to showcase their research to peers, programme staff, course stakeholders and service users. The day is a stimulating experience and we very much welcome field supervisors to attend. The presentation day will usually feature a seminar from a guest speaker. Copies of presentations from previous years can be downloaded from the programme website. An invitation is usually circulated in May; please contact Sarah Heard (details below) for more information.
Contact details
For more information about the practical arrangements for the thesis please contact Sarah Heard, Research Coordinator, either by phone, 01524 592754, or email, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk. Please contact Ian Smith, Research Director (i.smith@lancaster.ac.uk) with any other queries.
Introduction
The thesis is the largest piece of research work undertaken by trainees on the Lancaster Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Trainees usually begin work on this in the second year of study and submit in May of their third year of study. They are normally examined during the summer of their third year.
Information about the thsis
The thesis consists of an investigation involving human participants within a subject of relevance to the theory and practice of clinical psychology, with the results constituting a substantial contribution to existing knowledge. In terms of scope, the DClinPsy thesis is less than a PhD and only includes one research chapter. Trainees should aim to produce work that is of a publishable standard. The word count limits for the three papers within the thesis are 8,000 words for the literature review, 8,000 words for the research paper and 4,000 words for the critical appraisal. It is expected that the literature review and research paper are submitted for publication.
For more information on the thesisplease see the Thesis process guidance for trainees in the online handbook.
For a list of titles of the theses submitted by trainees in the past 10 years please see the previous thesis topics section of the online handbook.
Approximate timeline for the assignment
| Year | Period | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | June/July | You will be contacted by the course for potential project ideas. |
| By December | Your project ideas circulated to trainees, and you will be approached by trainees interested in your project ideas. Please feel free to contact the Research Coordinator if you have any questions at this point s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk | |
| December/ January | You will work with your trainee and their academic supervisor to make the idea suitable for a thesis in content and methodology. Negotiate a research contract between you, the trainee and the academic supervisor. This document outlines the responsibilities of the various individuals involved. | |
| 3 | December – January | You should start receiving initial drafts of the thesis from the trainee. |
| March/April | You should receive a final draft of the thesis from the trainee. | |
| May | The trainee submits the thesis | |
| June | The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day which you will be invited to attend. | |
| June – July | The trainee attends the viva examination. | |
| August | You can now finalise publication plans with the trainee. |
Presentations
The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day in the June of their final year. This event is an opportunity for the trainees to showcase their research to peers, programme staff, course stakeholders and service users. The day is a stimulating experience and we very much welcome field supervisors to attend. The presentation day will usually feature a seminar from a guest speaker. Copies of presentations from previous years can be downloaded from the programme website. An invitation is circulated around May; please contact Sarah Heard (details below) for more information.
Contact details
For more information about the practical arrangements for the thesis please contact Sarah Heard, Research Coordinator, either by phone, 01524 592754, or email, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk. Please contact Ian Smith, Research Director (i.smith@lancaster.ac.uk) with any other queries.
Introduction
The thesis is the largest piece of research work undertaken by trainees on the Lancaster Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Trainees begin work on this in the second year of study and submit in the May of their third year of study. They are examined during the summer of their third year.
Information about the assignment
The thesis consists of an investigation involving human participants within a subject of relevance to the theory and practice of clinical psychology, with the results constituting a substantial contribution to existing knowledge. In terms of scope, the DClinPsy thesis is less than a PhD and only includes one research ‘chapter’. Trainees should aim to produce work that is of a publishable standard. The word count limits for the three papers within the thesis are 8,000 words for the literature review, 8,000 words for the research paper and 4,000 words for the critical appraisal. It is expected that the literature review and research paper are submitted for publication.
For more information on the assignment please see the Thesis process guidance for trainees in the online handbook.
Approximate timeline for the assignment
| Year | Period | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | June/July | You will be contacted by the course for potential project ideas. |
| September | Your project ideas will be presented to trainees at the thesis planning day. | |
| September – November | You will be approached by trainees interested in your project ideas. If you are not approached by the end of December you can assume that your project idea has not been taken up. Please feel free to contact the Research Coordinator if you have any questions at this point, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk. | |
| December/ January | You will work with your trainee and their academic supervisor to make the idea suitable for a thesis in content and methodology. | |
| February – May | If your suggested idea is chosen the trainee will arrange for a research contract to be agreed between you, the trainee and the academic supervisor (one of the course team). This document outlines the responsibilities of the various individuals involved. | |
| 3 | December – January | You should start receiving initial drafts of the thesis from the trainee. |
| March/April | You should receive a final draft of the thesis from the trainee. | |
| May | The trainee submits the thesis | |
| June | The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day which you will be invited to attend. | |
| June – July | The trainee attends the viva examination. | |
| August | You can now finalise publication plans with the trainee and their academic supervisor. |
Presentations
The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day in the June of their final year. This event is an opportunity for the trainees to showcase their research to peers, programme staff, course stakeholders and service users. The day is a stimulating experience and we very much welcome field supervisors to attend. The presentation day will usually feature a seminar from a guest speaker. Copies of presentations from previous years can be downloaded from the programme website. An invitation is circulated around May; please contact Sarah Heard (details below) for more information.
Contact details
For more information about the practical arrangements for the thesis please contact Sarah Heard, Research Coordinator, either by phone, 01524 592754, or email, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk.
Introduction
The thesis is the largest piece of research work undertaken by trainees on the Lancaster Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Trainees begin work on this in the second year of study and submit in the May of their third year of study. They are examined during the summer of their third year.
Information about the assignment
The thesis consists of an investigation involving human participants within a subject of relevance to the theory and practice of clinical psychology, with the results constituting a substantial contribution to existing knowledge. In terms of scope, the DClinPsy thesis is less than a PhD and only includes one research ‘chapter’. Trainees should aim to produce work that is of a publishable standard. The word count limits for the three papers within the thesis are 8,000 words for the literature review, 8,000 words for the research paper and 4,000 words for the critical appraisal. It is expected that the literature review and research paper are submitted for publication.
For more information on the assignment please see the Thesis process guidance for trainees in the online handbook.
Approximate timeline for the assignment
| Year | Period | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | June/July | You will be contacted by the course for potential project ideas. |
| September | Your project ideas will be presented to trainees at the thesis planning day which you are welcome to attend. | |
| September – November | You will be approached by trainees interested in your project ideas. If you are not approached by the end of November you can assume that your project idea has not been taken up. Please feel free to contact the Research Coordinator if you have any questions at this point, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk. | |
| December/ January | You will work with your trainee and their academic supervisor to make the idea suitable for a thesis in content and methodology. | |
| February – May | If your suggested idea is chosen the trainee will arrange for a research contract to be agreed between you, the trainee and the academic supervisor (one of the course team). This document outlines the responsibilities of the various individuals involved. | |
| 3 | December – January | You should start receiving initial drafts of the thesis from the trainee. |
| March/April | You should receive a final draft of the thesis from the trainee. | |
| May | The trainee submits the thesis | |
| June | The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day which you will be invited to attend. | |
| June – July | The trainee attends the viva examination. | |
| August | You can now finalise publication plans with the trainee. |
Presentations
The trainees present their findings at the third year presentation day in the June of their final year. This event is an opportunity for the trainees to showcase their research to peers, programme staff, course stakeholders and service users. The day is a stimulating experience and we very much welcome field supervisors to attend. The presentation day will usually feature a seminar from a guest speaker. Copies of presentations from previous years can be downloaded from the programme website. An invitation is circulated around May; please contact Sarah Heard (details below) for more information.
Contact details
For more information about the practical arrangements for the thesis please contact Sarah Heard, Research Coordinator, either by phone, 01524 592754, or email, s.heard@lancaster.ac.uk.