Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Research in Psychology in Practice

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_100
Branch of Science
General Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Sanita Šuriņa
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

Applying the principles of transformative learning, improve students' research competence in psychology.

Preliminary Knowledge

Research in Psychology, Term Paper.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students critically evaluate the research strategies and designs to achieve the selected research aims, as well as evaluate and analyse potential risks and threats in the research process; explain and justify the relationship between theory and empirical research; describe the terms of the research organisation, using research terminology.

Skills

1.Students identify current research problems; choose the most appropriate theoretical approaches; establish a research plan, taking into consideration the potential risks and threats; correctly select research tools, create a sample/ selection of participants; ethically appropriately inform the research participants of their rights and the research process; correctly collect data, analyse the obtained results; critically evaluate the research process and its results. Perform self-reflection on the research process and reflect on the work of colleagues.

Competences

1.Students implement the research project in psychology according to their own professional competence: organise and manage the research process and adequately explain, analyse, interpret and present the research results.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
To develop the draft research; characterise the ethical aspects of the research; describe the justification of the research, create a literature review and a detailed description of the research methodology and results; interpret the results; evaluate the limitations of the research; develop a draft presentation.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
-
1) Pre-defence of the Bachelor's Thesis. 2) Passive participation at the conference Health and Personality Development: Interdisciplinary Approach, analysis of one presentation, indicating three the topic of the presentation, variables, methods and main results. Please note that Bachelor's Thesis is an independently developed work, therefore the use of artificial intelligence tools (e.g. ChatGPT) in t ext generation is strictly forbidden and will be considered a violation of academic integrity!

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Topicality of the research, a research problem, aim, objectives, research questions/hypotheses. Ethical considerations. Potential risks and threats.
Description
Annotation: Discussion on topicality and research problem, aim, research objectives and research questions/hypothesis of individual thesis. Discussion on ethical assumptions. Discussion on potential risks and threats. Topics covered during the class: What are the topicality, problem, aim, research objectives, and research questions/hypothesis? How will I take ethics into consideration in my thesis? How can I ensure the scientific vigor of my thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Topicality of the research, a research problem, aim, objectives, research questions/hypotheses. Ethical considerations. Potential risks and threats.
Description
Annotation: Discussion on topicality and research problem, aim, research objectives and research questions/hypothesis of individual thesis. Discussion on ethical assumptions. Discussion on potential risks and threats. Topics covered during the class: What are the topicality, problem, aim, research objectives, and research questions/hypothesis? How will I take ethics into consideration in my thesis? How can I ensure the scientific vigor of my thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Coherence between the theoretical approach applied in the research and the methodology.
Description
Annotation: Presenting the theoretical framework of the thesis. Topics covered during the class: What is the theoretical framework of the thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Coherence between the theoretical approach applied in the research and the methodology.
Description
Annotation: Presenting the theoretical framework of the thesis. Topics covered during the class: What is the theoretical framework of the thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Choice of research tools. Sample/ selection of participants. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Choice of research tools. Sample/ selection of participants. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Research procedures (documentation), correct data collection.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Research procedures (documentation), correct data collection.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data analysis plan.
Description
Annotation: Preparing data for analysis (screening and cleaning the data). Testing normal distribution and descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics. Topics covered during the class: Are there any missing or false values in the data matrix? Have all scale and total results been calculated? Are data normally distributed? What is the answer to the research question? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data analysis plan.
Description
Annotation: Preparing data for analysis (screening and cleaning the data). Testing normal distribution and descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics. Topics covered during the class: Are there any missing or false values in the data matrix? Have all scale and total results been calculated? Are data normally distributed? What is the answer to the research question? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data analysis plan.
Description
Annotation: Preparing data for analysis (screening and cleaning the data). Testing normal distribution and descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics. Topics covered during the class: Are there any missing or false values in the data matrix? Have all scale and total results been calculated? Are data normally distributed? What is the answer to the research question? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data analysis plan.
Description
Annotation: Preparing data for analysis (screening and cleaning the data). Testing normal distribution and descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics. Topics covered during the class: Are there any missing or false values in the data matrix? Have all scale and total results been calculated? Are data normally distributed? What is the answer to the research question? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data interpretation. Limitations and future prospects. Conclusions.
Description
Annotation: Interpreting data and preparing the discussion. Evaluation of the scientific rigor. Making conclusions. Topics covered during the class: What is the meaning of the obtained data? What could impact the quality of the results? What are the conclusions? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data interpretation. Limitations and future prospects. Conclusions.
Description
Annotation: Interpreting data and preparing the discussion. Evaluation of the scientific rigor. Making conclusions. Topics covered during the class: What is the meaning of the obtained data? What could impact the quality of the results? What are the conclusions? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Draft presentation of the research.
Description
Annotation: Structure and contents of the Bachelor's Thesis presentation. Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Draft presentation of the research.
Description
Annotation: Structure and contents of the Bachelor's Thesis presentation. Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Defence (Placement)
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Topicality of the research, a research problem, aim, objectives, research questions/hypotheses. Ethical considerations. Potential risks and threats.
Description
Annotation: Discussion on topicality and research problem, aim, research objectives and research questions/hypothesis of individual thesis. Discussion on ethical assumptions. Discussion on potential risks and threats. Topics covered during the class: What are the topicality, problem, aim, research objectives, and research questions/hypothesis? How will I take ethics into consideration in my thesis? How can I ensure the scientific vigor of my thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Topicality of the research, a research problem, aim, objectives, research questions/hypotheses. Ethical considerations. Potential risks and threats.
Description
Annotation: Discussion on topicality and research problem, aim, research objectives and research questions/hypothesis of individual thesis. Discussion on ethical assumptions. Discussion on potential risks and threats. Topics covered during the class: What are the topicality, problem, aim, research objectives, and research questions/hypothesis? How will I take ethics into consideration in my thesis? How can I ensure the scientific vigor of my thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Coherence between the theoretical approach applied in the research and the methodology.
Description
Annotation: Presenting the theoretical framework of the thesis. Topics covered during the class: What is the theoretical framework of the thesis? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Choice of research tools. Sample/ selection of participants. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Research procedures (documentation), correct data collection.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data analysis plan.
Description
Annotation: Preparing data for analysis (screening and cleaning the data). Testing normal distribution and descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics. Topics covered during the class: Are there any missing or false values in the data matrix? Have all scale and total results been calculated? Are data normally distributed? What is the answer to the research question? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Data interpretation. Limitations and future prospects. Conclusions.
Description
Annotation: Interpreting data and preparing the discussion. Evaluation of the scientific rigor. Making conclusions. Topics covered during the class: What is the meaning of the obtained data? What could impact the quality of the results? What are the conclusions? Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Draft presentation of the research.
Description
Annotation: Structure and contents of the Bachelor's Thesis presentation. Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.), (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra pieeja. RSU izdevniecība.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Defence (Placement)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. RSU izdevniecība.

2.

Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (red.). (2016). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. RSU izdevniecība.

3.

Šneidere, K., Lejiņa L. & Ļubenko, J. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi kursa un bakalaura darbu izstrādei. Rīga: RSU.

Additional Reading

1.

Goodwin, J. (2018) Research in Psychology. Methods and Design. New York: John Willey.

2.

Mārtinsone, K., Pipere A. (Red.). (2011). Ievads pētniecībā. Stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: Raka.

3.

Pētniecības terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca (2011). Sast. I. Eņģele. Rīga: RaKa.

4.

Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (2018). Research Design and Methods: A Process Approach (9th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

5.

Robson, C. (2016). Real World Research: a Resource for Users of Social Research Methods in Applied Settings. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.

Other Information Sources

1.

Pētījumi datu bāzēs, atbilstoši izvēlētajai projekta tēmai psiholoģijā.