Research in Psychology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:12.00

Study Course Accepted:26.08.2024 09:09:28

Study Course Information
Course Code:		VPUPK_278		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Valentīna Krūmiņa
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		19	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		38
Classes (count)		17	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		34
Total Contact Hours								72
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours								44
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Introduction to professional work, general psychology.
Objective:
To promote students' understanding of research in social sciences, stages, and basic principles of psychology research; to improve the ability to select, summarise and analyse published research on a particular topic; to develop the ability to prepare, justify and execute a study project in psychology in accordance with the basic principles of research and to present it;
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introductory questions. Scientific and non-scientific research. Pseudo-science. Science and clinical practice. Evidence-based practice. Scientific activities: science, research, innovation.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
2	Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
3	Psychological measurements. Measurement scales. Reliability and validity of psychological measurement.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
4	Legal and ethical aspects of the study. Moral principles and code of ethics in research. Informed consent, debriefing, academic integrity.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
5	Theory in psychological research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
6	Sample			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
7	Quantitative design studies. Data acquisition in quantitative studies.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
8	Qualitative research design.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
9	Mixed study design.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
10	Systematic review and its types.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
11	Applying mathematical statistics in psychology research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
12	Descriptive statistics indicators.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
13	Lock statistics. Checking for differences.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
14	Inferential statistics: correlations.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
15	Development and adaptation of research instruments			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
16	Publication and presentation of research results.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
17	Research development. Results, Discussion and conclusions			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
18	Research project development seminars			Classes		6.00	E-Studies platform
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introductory questions. Scientific and non-scientific research. Pseudo-science. Science and clinical practice. Evidence-based practice. Scientific activities: science, research, innovation.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
2	Research in psychology: basic concepts – variable, measurement, sampling, population. Statistical relationships between variables. Research question, scientific literature.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
3	Psychological measurements. Measurement scales. Reliability and validity of psychological measurement.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
4	Legal and ethical aspects of the study. Moral principles and code of ethics in research. Informed consent, debriefing, academic integrity.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
5	Theory in psychological research.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
6	Sample			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
7	Quantitative design studies. Data acquisition in quantitative studies.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
8	Qualitative research design.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
9	Mixed study design.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
10	Systematic review and its types.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
11	Applying mathematical statistics in psychology research.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
12	Descriptive statistics indicators.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
13	Lock statistics. Checking for differences.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
14	Inferential statistics: correlations.			Lectures		0.50	E-Studies platform
				Classes		1.00	E-Studies platform
15	Development and adaptation of research instruments			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
16	Publication and presentation of research results.			Lectures		1.00	E-Studies platform
18	Research project development seminars			Classes		4.00	E-Studies platform
Assessment
Unaided Work:
To read the literature sources indicated. To independently watch videolectures and pass the self-check tasks before the practical class on the topic. Develop research project in psychology After finishing the course, fill the course evaluation survey.
Assessment Criteria:
The final assessment will consist of a cumulative assessment of performance in each of the tasks: (1) test on the topics acquired in lectures – 20% (2) Self-check tasks – 10% (3) Conference related task – 10% (3) Research project development and presentation – 60% Detailed evaluation criteria are available in e-studies. According to RSU Study Regulations I 3.9. point, class attendance is mandatory and is recorded. At the end of each lesson, the student additionally submits a worksheet filled in according to the criteria indicated in the e-environment and, if the criteria are met, receives the grade "passed"
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Students use research terminology; explain the differences between the qualitative and quantitative research strategy and the various research designs; describe the methods of data acquisition and analysis.
Skills:		Students identify topical problems of research in psychology; select, analyse, compare and critically evaluate published research in psychology; analyse the strengths and limitations of research; define research questions appropriate for the purpose of the study.
Competencies:		Students work with scientific literature, correctly read and argue about the data presented in the articles. Students develop research project, justifying the topicality of the research; define the goal, research question/hypothesis; create a targeted literature review, choose suitable data acquisition methods, integrate ethical requirements into own study project.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Mārtinsone K., & Pipere A. (red.) (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: Starpdisciplināra perspektīva. RSU izdevniecība.
2	Goodwin, K., A. (2018). Research in Psychology: Methods and Design. Wiley Custom.
3	Puriņa-Biezā, K.E., Ozoliņa, L., Anohina-Naumeca, A., un Jansone-Ratinika, N. (2024). Vadlīnijas "Mākslīgais intelekts augstākajā izglītībā". Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte
Additional Reading
1	Pētniecības terminu vārdnīca.
2	Zinātniskie raksti no Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Ebsco u.c. datu bāzēm.