Methodology and Epistemology of Research in Psychology I

Code:

MTP01

Acronym:

MEIP I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Investigation Methodology

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
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	13	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.
• Communicate ideas, methods, and findings.

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

Research in Psychology:

- The process of research: main steps of the research process

- Search the literature in academic and scientific data bases

- APA guidelines for references

- Quantitative and qualitative approaches to research

- techniques of data collection in quantitative and qualitative research

- ethics in Psychological research

- the literature review process

- Research problems

- Quantitative and qualitative research designs: examples

- Research goals, main questions, hypotheses, and variables

- Sampling and participant recruitment

- Validity and sources of error

- Research articles

Main  bibliography:

1. Almeida, L. S., & Freire, T. ; Metodologia da investigação em Psicologia e Educação (4.a edição), Braga: Psiquilíbrios, 2007
2. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American psychological
3. Coutinho, C. P. (2011). Metodologia de investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Coimbra: Almedina

Complementary bibliography

1. Alferes Valentim Rodrigues; Investigação científica em psicologia. ISBN: 972-40-1039-2

2. Bardin, L; Análise de conteúdo, Lisboa: Edições 70, 1999
3. Ghiglione Rodolphe; O^inquérito

4. Poeschl Gabrielle; Análise de dados na investigação em psicologia. ISBN: 972-40-2690-6

Mandatory literature

1. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American psychological Association.; 1. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American psychological Association., 2010
3. Almeida, L. S., & Freire, T. ; ; Metodologia da investigação em Psicologia e Educação (4.a edição), Braga: Psiquilíbrios, , 2007
Coutinho, C. P. ; Metodologia de investigação em Ciências Sociais e Humanas. , Coimbra: Almedina, 2011

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 (%)
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	25,00
Teste	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	35,00
Estudo autónomo	38,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho escrito	35,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Portfolio constructed by each student (50%) and a written tests will be given (50%)

 

Terms of frequency: In order to be admitted to the final exam, students are required to a) attend at least 75% of the weekly sessions, b) actively participate in the practical activities in the class, (iii) perform the individual works/portfolio.

Calculation formula of final grade

 

Formula Evaluation: The final score, corresponding to the theoretical component (50%), and the practical component (50%)

 

 

The theoretical part corresponds to the score of the tests.

 

The practical part corresponds to individual assessment through the portfolio that includes a) oral presentation of a scientific paper; b) practical work/project throughout the semester

 

 

Scores will be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20. A score lower than 8 points in any of the components leads to the disapproval of the student in the course.

 

 

The average score will be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20. Students are required to have a score equal or above to 9,5 to get approval.

 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Without prejudice to the rights legally granted to them, given the nature of the UC, student workers and beneficiaries of comparable statutes must comply with the requirements of attendance.

Students with special needs (eg, hearing or motor impairment) must inform the teacher (s) at the beginning of the semester in order to ensure the necessary conditions.

Classification improvement

The improvement will be made only once, until the time of appeal of the academic year subsequent to the one in which they obtained approval and in which the UC has planned examination.

Further information can be found under the heading "Observations"

Observations

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

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 highest 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.