Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Conducting Psychological Research
Course Code
VPUPK_326
Branch of Science
General Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ingūna Griškēviča
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
-
About Study Course
Objective
To promote students’ ability to do scientific research, to provide them with knowledge which would be sufficient in order to: understand the different phases of research in psychology; to gather, summarise and analyse publications about a certain topic; create an independent research project in psychology according to regulations and to defend it.
Preliminary Knowledge
Introduction into professional field, general psychology, basics of statistics.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Student uses research terminology; explains the differences between the qualitative and quantitative research strategy and the various design studies; describe the methods of data acquisition and analysis.
Skills
1.Identifies topical problems of research in psychology; selects, analyses, compares and critically evaluates published research in psychology; analyses the strengths of research.
Competences
1.Makes a project of the potential research, justifies the topicality of the research, problem, formulates the goal, research question/hypothesis, creates a targeted literature review, chooses suitable data acquisition and analysis methods, integrates ethical requirements into its project; critically assesses the feasibility and constraints of the research project; presents and defends the research project.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Independently read the literature sources indicated; prepare for the test according to the given questions. Using the strategies for finding scientific publications, select and analyse four studies in accordance with the criteria and prepare a presentation. Prepare a research project according to the conditions and present it.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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(1) test work on subjects acquired in lectures (30%); (2) analysis of four studies according to the criteria given in writing, presentation of one study to the group (30%); (3) development and presentation of a research project (40%).
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Introductory questions. Scientific and non-scientific research. Pseudoscience. Science and clinical practice. Evidence-based practice. Scientific activities: science, research, innovation.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Legal and ethical aspects of the study. Moral principles and code of ethics for research. Informed consent, debriefing, academic honesty.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Pool
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2
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Topics
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Theory in psychological research. Phenomenon and theory. Types of psychological theories. Use of the theory in a psychological study.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Psychological measurements. Measurement scales. Reliability and validity of psychological measurement.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Experimental research in psychology. The internal and external validity of the experiment. Independent, dependent, controllable and confused variables. Experimental designs for inter groups and in-groups. Placebo effect. Transfer effect.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Experimental research in psychology. The internal and external validity of the experiment. Independent, dependent, controllable and confused variables. Experimental designs for inter groups and in-groups. Placebo effect. Transfer effect.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Non-experimental studies in psychology. Correlational study. Quasi-experimental study. Qualitative research.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Non-experimental studies in psychology. Correlational study. Quasi-experimental study. Qualitative research.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Data sources in the study. Primary, secondary data and tertiary data. Primary data acquisition methods in the study. Comprehensive research designs.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Data sources in the study. Primary, secondary data and tertiary data. Primary data acquisition methods in the study. Comprehensive research designs.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research project, research process and dissemination of research results. Formulation of the idea and planning of the research. Working with scientific literature. Justification of the topicality of the research. Formulation of research question and hypothesis.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Analysis of scientific articles and presentation of main results.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research project development. The research topic and its topicality. Variables and theoretical background.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research project development. Formulation of research question and hypothesis. Research strategy and methods.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Presentation of the research project.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
34 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Goodwin, J. (2010). Research in Psychology. Methods and Design. New York: John Willey.
2.
Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. & Kamerāde, D. (red.) (2016). Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. Rīga: Raka.
3.
Pētniecības terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca (2011). Sast. I. Eņģele. Rīga: RaKa.