Research Methods in Psychology
Study Course Implementer
Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
Preliminary Knowledge
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Describe scientifically sound psychological research methods and the specificities of their use for different age groups (children and adults). Explains the stages, structure and professional specification of the psychological research process. Identify the basic principles and requirements for the preparation of the psychological research opinion and the cooperation report.
Skills
1.Formulate achievable research objectives and develop a sound psychological research plan. Selects the best research methods for the customer and target, justifying their selection. Demonstrate the ability to conduct psychological research in accordance with the planned process and professional standards. Analyse and interpret the findings, integrate them into a single structure, draw reasonable conclusions and make targeted recommendations.
Competences
1.Critically evaluate the adequacy of the selected methods in the case of a particular client, taking into account cognitive processes, research objective and professional ethics. Decisions on modification of the research process shall be taken independently, ensuring the highest professional quality and compliance with the legal framework.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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10 points
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Rated: certified psychologist mg. psych. Zane Gulbe, certified psychologist-supervisor mg. psych. Inga Safina examination: face-to-face, RSU building. Tasks: Completing a quiz test (10 questions), submitting to an e-environment. - Controlwork test (in an e-environment) (includes verification of understanding and knowledge of both the research process for children and adults), to be completed in person, at the end of the lecture/lesson. Conduct of the examination: face-to-face, RSU building. Interview frame: Prepared folder of research instruments (methods) - a student expresses an understanding of the focus of the application of each intrument (method), is able competently to group/organise the intruders (methods) according to their framework, questions regarding the performance of the research (a short description of the case has been provided to the student, it is necessary to plan the research process), questions regarding aspects of data security, confidentiality and informed consent. Arrival: 10 minutes before a student’s fixed time for an interview , the start of interviews: (following a previously established list of students) assessments will be calculated in accordance with the interest limits laid down in RSU academic Regulations: 96% to 100% - excellent (10); 85% to 95% - excellent (9); 75% to 84% - very good (8); 70% to 74% - good (7); 65% to 69% - almost good (6); 60% to 64% mediocre (5); 55% to 59% - almost average (4); between 40% and 54% - weak (3); 20% to 39% - very weak (2); 0% to 19% - very, very weak (1). A mandatory requirement is the provision of the assessment/feedback of the study course at the end of the study course on the e-learning platform! |
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2.
Important about attending classes |
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In accordance with the rules of Procedure of the study process of Rīga Stradiņš University - attendance of classes is mandatory. If it is not possible to attend the class for justified reasons, the head of the study course, mg. psych. lect, shall be informed thereof. Zane Gulbe to agree a lesson replay. If 85% of the class volume is delayed, completion of the study course shall not be included. |
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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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10 points
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Tasks: Completing a quiz test (10 questions), submitting to an e-environment. - Controlwork test (in an e-environment) (includes verification of understanding and knowledge of both the research process for children and adults), to be completed in person, at the end of the lecture/lesson. Conduct of the examination: face-to-face, RSU building. Interview frame: Prepared folder of research instruments (methods) - a student expresses an understanding of the focus of the application of each intrument (method), is able competently to group/organise the intruders (methods) according to their framework, questions regarding the performance of the research (a short description of the case has been provided to the student, it is necessary to plan the research process), questions regarding aspects of data security, confidentiality and informed consent. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
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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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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Study course requirements and evaluation criteria
Description
Annotation: Study course requirements and evaluation criteria
Topics covered during the class: Terms used in the study course:
- Psychologist's report
- Cooperation overview
- Psychological assessment report
- Psychological assessment methods
Literature: Psihologu likums. Publicēts: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 75, 12.04.2017. OP numurs: 2017/75.1 Pieejams no: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=290115
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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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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Psychological assessment in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment in children.
Topics covered during the class: Psychological assessment methods in psychology for children.
Literature: Bērnu tiesību aizsardzības likums. Publicēts: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 199/200. Pieejams no: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=49096
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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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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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
|
Topics
|
Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Description
Annotation: Psychological assessment using scientifically based methods
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Esther Geva, P., & Judith Wiener, P. (2015). Psychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children and Adolescents : A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children – case studies.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Topics covered during the class: case studies.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children – case studies.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in children.
Topics covered during the class: case studies.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Emotional sphere assessment methods for children – case studies.
Description
Annotation: Emotional sphere assessment methods for children.
Topics covered during the class: Case studies.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Emotional sphere assessment methods for children – case studies.
Description
Annotation: Emotional sphere assessment methods for children.
Topics covered during the class: Case studies.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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
|
Topics
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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: The purpose of psychological assessment.
The process of psychological assessment.
Analysis of information collected in the course of psychological assessment.
Preparation of an opinion on the results of the psychological assessment, according to the purpose of the psychological assessment.
Literature: Donald H. Saklofske, Vicki L. Schwean, & Cecil R. Reynolds. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Child Psychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
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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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Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults – case studies.
Description
Annotation: Assessment methods of cognitive processes in adults.
Topics covered during the class: Case studies.
Literature: Wright, A. J. (Ed.). (2019). Essentials of psychological assessment supervision. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated
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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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Personality assessment methods.
Description
Annotation: Personality assessment methods.
Topics covered during the class: Development of a Multidimentional Self-Report Personality Inventory and its Validation in the Sample of Latvian Adults.
Literature: Perepjolkina, V. (2014). Daudzdimensionālas personības aptaujas izstrāde un validizācija Latvijas pieaugušo izlasē. Promocijas darbs. LU. https://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/bitstream/handle/7/4921/40321-Viktorija_Perepjolkina_2014.pdf?sequence=1
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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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Personality assessment methods.
Description
Annotation: Personality assessment methods.
Topics covered during the class: Development of a Multidimentional Self-Report Personality Inventory and its Validation in the Sample of Latvian Adults.
Literature: Perepjolkina, V. (2014). Daudzdimensionālas personības aptaujas izstrāde un validizācija Latvijas pieaugušo izlasē. Promocijas darbs. LU. https://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/bitstream/handle/7/4921/40321-Viktorija_Perepjolkina_2014.pdf?sequence=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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Intelligence assessment.
Description
Annotation: Intelligence assessment.
Topics covered during the class: Intelligence Structure Test.
Literature: Wright, A. J. (Ed.). (2019). Essentials of psychological assessment supervision. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
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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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Intelligence assessment.
Description
Annotation: Intelligence assessment.
Topics covered during the class: Intelligence Structure Test.
Literature: Wright, A. J. (Ed.). (2019). Essentials of psychological assessment supervision. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
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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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Preparation of a report.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of a report.
Topics covered during the class: Case studies.
Literature: Wright, A. J. (Ed.). (2019). Essentials of psychological assessment supervision. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
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Bibliography
Required Reading
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2023). Clinical interviewing (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Coolican, H. (2025). Research methods and statistics in psychology (8th ed.). Routledge.
Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2025). Research methods in psychology (7th ed.). Pearson.
Brdar, I. (Ed.). (2023). Research methods in clinical psychology: Advanced techniques for master’s students. Springer.
Levitt, H. M. (2024). Reporting qualitative research in psychology: How to meet APA style journal article reporting standards (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
Additional Reading
Groth-Marnat, G., & Wright, A. J. (2024). Handbook of psychological assessment (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons
Silverman, D. (2025). Doing qualitative research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using R and RStudio (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2023). Evidence-based therapy relationships: An update. Psychotherapy, 60(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000468
Other Information Sources
Izglītības kvalitātes valsts dienests. Psihologa atzinuma par personas psiholoģisko izpēti vadlīnijas.
Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 301. Psihologu noteikumi. Publicēts: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 106, 31.05.2018. OP numurs: 2018/106.3.