Research Methods in Psychology

Code:

P102

Acronym:

MIP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methodology

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S (since 04-10-2020 to 19-12-2020)

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	195	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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 with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	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	20,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho de investigação	8,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The final grade is the outcome of the two evaluation components: theoretical and practical. The frequency of practical courses is mandatory both for students enrolled for the first time in the course and for students who failed in preceding years, with the exception of cases foreseen by the law. The evaluation of the theoretical courses is made by a written final exam at the end of the semester. The evlautaion of the practical courses is conducted across the semester by means of field and/or laboratory work, including participation in empirical studies proposed in the practical course (in addition to the mandatory presence in the classes).

In order to succeed, the final grade resulting from the weighted sum of the two components must be equal to or higher than 9.50/20. However, this is conditional to:
1. the actual participation in empirical studies for two hours. If this condition is not met the student cannot do the final exam;
2. the obtention of, at least 7.50/20 at the final written exam of the theoretical component, regardless of the classification obtained at the practical courses. If the grade obtained in the final theoretical exam is below 7.50/20, the obtained score will correspond to the final overall grade of the course.

Calculation formula of final grade

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