Research Methods in Psychology

Code:

P102

Acronym:

MIP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methodology

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	194	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1. distinction between common-sense and scientific approach as knowlegede forms

2. analysis of the role of the researcher's positionning towards the subject of study, both as a scientist and as a social actor; 3. mastering of introductory descriptive and inferential research methodologies and concepts and their role in a research project.

Learning outcomes and competences

see Objectives

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Common-sense effects in psychological research
     examples with sampling, correlation, and causation 
     reductionisms and levels of explanation of the psychological phenomena

2. The inductive-hypothetical-deductive method and criteria of “scientificity”
      theoretical hypotheses and empirical predictions: what should one observe?
          measures: how to observe?
          operational definitions and theoretical validity
          measurement validity, reliability, and stability
          convergent and discriminant validity
      sampling: what to observe?
          sampling types and techniques

3. General principles of the Experimental Method 
      correlation and causation
           association, precedence, direct relation, and theoretical    
           rationale
      independent variables and dependent measures
      systematic-variance and error-variance
      natural and manipulated independente variables 
      the notions of moderation and of mediation

4. Experimental designs
     classical and factorial designs between-,and within-participants
     main effects and interactions/moderations

5. Experimental control
      hidden interfering variables (confounding factors)
      sources of bias in experimental observations
          obscuring factors
          participants’ expectations and motives
          mere presence of an observer
         the pet theory effect
      internal validity criteria

6. External validity
     across observers
      across samples
     across measures

7. Correlational methodologies: goaçs and strategies
      the nature of the observed variables
      degree of knowledge of the phenomena under scrutiny
      ethical obstacles
      correlational approach with nominal, and interval variables

8. the determination coefficient (r2)
      variance “explained” by a correlation
      comparing correlation coefficients

9. Methodological problems associated with the use of correlational measures
      extreme values (outliers)
       heterogeneous samples
      interfering variables (confounding effects)
      non-linearity and colinearity

10. Ethics
      ethical, unethical, and questionable research practices
      participant’s rights: informed consente and debriefing
      ethical principles in the design of research, data analysis and data reporting

Mandatory literature

Alferes, V. A.; Investigação científica em psicologia: teoria e prática
Marques, J. M.; Métodos de investigação em Psicologia (P102): texto de apoio
Poeschl G. A.; Análise de dados na investigação em psicologia: teoria e prática

Teaching methods and learning activities

expositive in the theoretical classes

laboratory in practical classes

keywords

Social sciences > Ethics in social sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	80,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	20,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	20,00
Estudo autónomo	30,00
Frequência das aulas	26,00
Trabalho de campo	20,00
Trabalho de investigação	18,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	162,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Grade = final exam X .80 + laboratory work X .20