Research in Psychology I

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Objectives

1. To characterize the nature, goals and limitations of research in Psychology.

2. To describe different quantitative research methods, the distinct research and diagnostic tools and processes of gathering, organizing and interpreting psychological data, in order to allow informed decision-research based on that knowledge.

3. To acknowledge the research dissemination procedures, understanding its utility and its relevance to scientific knowledge

4. To emphasize the receptivity to questioning, based on discussion and debate about the theoretical and methodological aspects of quantitative scientific research in Psychology.

5. To motivate inquiry and the permanent actualization of the necessary skills to scientific research in Psychology.

Program

Theoretical classes:
I: Introduction to research in Psychology
1.1. Science and scientific knowledge.
1.2. Psychological science and research.
1.3. Historical evolution of research in Psychology.

II: Research process with a quantitative and hypothetical-deductive approach
2.1. Definition of the research problem.
2.2. Identification, definition and control of variables
2.3. Formulation of hypotheses.
2.4. Research designs.
2.5. Sampling criteria and processes.
2.6. Data collection instruments.
2.7. Data collection procedures and associated ethical issues.
2.8. From data to results.

III: Dissemination of research
3.1. Scientific communication formats.
3.2. Audiences and communication styles.

Theoretical-practical classes:
1) Identification of a research problem;
2) Bibliographical research on the research topic;
3) State-of-the-art writing;
4) Definition of objectives and hypotheses, including identification and operationalization of variables and their relationship;
5) Selection of the study design;
6) Selection and characterization of data collection instruments;

7) Definition of sampling procedures and recruitment of participants;
8) Definition of data collection procedures, including ethical issues;
9) Definition of data analysis procedures;
10) Project writing;
11) Presentation of projects in class, in a scientific communication format with audiovisual support and large group discussion.

Teaching Methodologies

The program contents of the Curricular Unit of Research in Psychology I are organized according to the components of the UC: Theoretical and Theoretical-practical.

The theoretical component of the UC (30hT) favors the presentation of content by the teacher, discussion in a large group and the reading of scientific articles and their discussion by students.

The theoretical-practical component of the UC (30hTP) is organized around the different steps necessary to develop a small quantitative research project in Psychology, carried out in a group and monitored/supervised by the teacher.

Bibliography

Almeida, L. S. & Freire, T. (2017). Metodologia da Investigação em Psicologia e Educação (5ª Ed. revista). Psiquilíbrios.

American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Ed.). APA.

Fernandes, E. & Almeida, L. (2001). Métodos e técnicas de avaliação: contributos para a prática e investigação psicológicas. CEEP-UM.

Martins, C. (2011). Manual de análise de dados quantitativos com recurso ao IBM SPSS: Saber decidir, fazer, interpretar, redigir. Psiquilíbrios.

Miller, S. A. (2017). Developmental Research Methods (5th Ed.). Sage.

Code

0105710

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Teóricas - 30 hours
  • Teórico-Práticas - 30 hours

Evaluation Methodology

  • Frequency: 50%
  • Research work: 50%