Research Methods in Psychology

Code:

P102

Acronym:

MIP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methodology

Instance: 2013/2014 - 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	200	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162
		Official Curricular Structure 2012	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

A. General principles of research methodology

1. Science and common-sense: objectivity and subjectivity

2. The (Un)reliability of the scientific process

3. Classical research paradigms in Psychology (Wundt-Pavlov vs Galton-Spearman)

4. The Inductive-Hypothetical-Deductive Method

5. Correlation and causation

6. Ethics of research about humans and animals 

B. Observation and data collection methodologies

1. Descriptive, correlational and experimental perspectives

2. Tests and scales

3. Direct observation of behavior

C. Interviews and surveys

1. The interviewer-interviewee interaction

2. Non-structured interviews and survey questionnaires

3. Sampling procedures

4. Content analysis

D. Correlational studies

1. Based on proximity/distance measures

2. Based on frequency measures

3. Based on means´ comparisons

4. Quasi-inferential analyses

5. Brief introduction to multivariate correlational methodologies

E. The experimental method

1. Independent and dependent variables

2. Internal validity

3. Quasi-experimentla and experimental designs

5. Between-subjects, within-subject and mixed designs

5. N = 1 experiments

6. Main effects and interactions

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

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)
Frequência das aulas	26,00
Trabalho laboratorial	26,00
Total:	52,00

Calculation formula of final grade

final exam * .80 + laboratory work or equivalent * .20