Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodology (VPUPK_271)
About Study Course
Objective
To advance postgraduates' understanding of research methodology and to improve their ability to conduct independent research projects in accordance with contemporary research principles, demonstrating the ability to identify research problem or topic in accordance with socially relevant problems in a particular sub-branch of psychology, to identify relevant research issues, to design a study, sampling and research methods, to formulate research questions or hypotheses based on relevant literature, and design and present the research project.
Prerequisites
Knowledge in research methodology gained during Bachelor’s studies.
Learning outcomes
Students describe, analyse, compare and explain quantitative and qualitative research designs according to the criteria of scientific rigour; use the research terminology; describe the content and structure of the research project – an identified research problem or the general theme of the research, the research question or hypothesis, the planned research procedure, the defined research sample and methods used in the research; as well as analyze information based on the principles of qualitative research.
Students apply knowledge to identify socially topical and relevant problems for psychological research and choose the research problem or topic, formulate hypotheses or research questions, select and critically evaluate information sources for theoretical and methodological substantiation; explain the differences between quantitative and qualitative research and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses; develop own research project; apply ethical requirements for the scientific research; present and defend the research project. Skills to present the results of synthesis and analysis of the theoretical material and skills of qualitative data collection and analysis.
Students develop their own potential research project by demonstrating the ability to identify the research problem or the overall theme of the research, using knowledge and skills related to the basic principles of psychology research and relevant to societal concerns in a particular branch of psychology, demonstrating skills to create a literature review, to formulate research problem, justify topicality of the research, to formulate the research goal and question/hypothesis, choose appropriate research methods, evaluate the limitations of the research project and apply ethical principles.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Psychology, VPM | 1 | Master’s | Required | Kristīne Mārtinsone, Sanita Šuriņa, Anita Pipere, Bettina Wollesen | |
| Health psychology, VPMp | 1 | Master’s | Required | Kristīne Mārtinsone, Sanita Šuriņa, Anita Pipere, Bettina Wollesen |
