Course content

The course provides an introduction to the scientific method and its use in psychological research, as well as the entire research process; generation of research ideas, research design (experiments, qualitative designs etc.), data collection (selection strategies, interviews, observational data, surveys etc.), data analysis (descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, coding and categorization of textual data etc.) as well as reporting and discussing of results. Ethics, judicial regulations, and guidelines will also be central aspects. The mandatory assignment will give practical experience with data analysis and reporting and discussing of results.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• The student has developed a basic understanding of and familiarity with the scientific mindset, terminology, and procedure in both qualitative and quantitative psychological research.
• The student is knowledgeable about current judicial aspects of research (NSD, REK, Lovdata) and about ethics in a historical perspective.

Skills

• The student has developed the ability to apply methodological terminology in analyses of different types of psychological knowledge and present these in a written manner.
• The student can write basic academic texts that follow formal requirements.
• The student has extensive knowledge of the research process and can execute fundamental analyses of research data as well as report and disseminate psychological research results.

General competence

• The students can express themselves in writing in a way that satisfies basic requirements of scientific standards.
• The student can convey relevant concepts related to psychological research methodologies and knows what research designs best fit different quantitative and qualitative research questions.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures 2 hours per week, assignments, and colloquiums.

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsary assignment

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Credit reductions