Methodology and Epistemology of Research in Psychology I

Code:

MTP01

Acronym:

MEIP I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Investigation Methodology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S (since 18-09-2017 to 25-05-2018)

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://https://sigarra.up.pt/fpceup/pt/ucurr_geral.ficha_uc_view?pv_ocorrencia_id=407601
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Psychology Themes

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MTP	27	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Provide students with the fundamental knowledge of research methods used in psychology that will help them develop skills in critically evaluating research studies as well as provide the tools needed to design one’s own study

It corresponds to a first step of student training intended to familiarize students with the scientific research methods in Psychology, through the reflection and illustration of studies. It is also an objective to develop the ability to identify and critically evaluate the research methods used in published papers.

 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• critically think on the ethical issues in psychological research Articulate and apply ethical guidelines to psychological research.
• describe and discuss the concepts in various psychological research methods and design.
• critically analyze the processing, analysis and interpretation of results of research in Psychology
• Understand validity (in particular construct, internal, and external, validity) and apply these concepts to evaluate various claims.
• Understand issues that affect the reliability, generalizability, and replicability of psychological research.
• Select research methods and techniques that are adequate to the goals, settings and research questions.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Research in Psychology:

- ethics in Psychologal research

- steps of the research process

- basic notions

- search the literature in academic and scientific data bases

- APA guidelines

- techniques of data gathering

- examples of quantitative and qualitative research

-scales, questionnaires, observation and interviews: variables and analytical methods

 

Mandatory literature

Almeida, L. S., & Freire, T. ; Metodologia da investigação em Psicologia e Educação

Teaching methods and learning activities

• Lectures to introduce students to research topics, using practical examples;


• Students will actively participate in large and small group discussions, using the computer when appropriate

 

Autonomous work:

 Students will complete small tasks and activities in order to

• analyze and interpret scientific


• searching in databases and literature review


• collaborate with their peers


• verbally present research findings in a coherent and concise manner


• organize their materials into a portfolio

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico
Elaboração de projeto	0,00
Estudo autónomo	0,00
Frequência das aulas	0,00
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Type of evaluation: Portfolio constructed by each student (30%), oral presentation of one scientific paper and a final examination will be given (60%)

 

Terms of frequency: In order to be admitted to the final exam, students are required to attend at least 75% of the weekly sessions.

 

 

Calculation formula of final grade

The final score corresponds to the score of the theoretical component (60%) and a practical one (40%)

The theoretical component is written exam (60%) to be held by the student,

The practical component involves a distributed evaluation: a) an oral presentation of a scientific paper (10%) and b) a portfolio (30%)

It is required a minimum classification of 8 values (on a scale of 0 to 20) in each of the evaluation components 

An overall score lower than 9,5 points (on a scale of 0 to 20) leads to the disapproval of the student in the course.

Observations

Students are eligible for grade improvement only on the evaluation component corresponding to the Theoretical Part.

The classification of the theoretical part corresponds to the classification obtained in the individual final exam (50%).

Taking into account the characteristics of the evaluation components of the practical part, the improvement is not planned (50%). It is considered the classification previously obtained.

The final grade will be the higher one, chosen between the initial one and the one resulting from the improvement.

Students may apply to a new exam in order to improve the grade of the final exam component. They can do it only once until the period of appeal following the school year in which they obtained the approved status and provided that the course has scheduled exam.