Knowledge development and research design (BPS320)


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

BPS320

Version

2

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course provides a basic introduction to research methods and design. The students will learn about the various phases of planning a research project, including theory and hypotheses development, operationalization, definition and justification of a sample size, development of an experimental procedure, evaluation of different methods, and interpretation of empirical data. The students will also work on developing their own research project and they will familiarize with the research taking place at the institute. This latter work will be helpful to start planning the work for their bachelor's thesis.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • have knowledge of different research methods, which can be related to a given (research) project

Skills

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • be able to distinguish between, clarify and define the phases of a research project
  • be able to develop a research project in writing

General competencies

On successful completion of this course, students will

  • be able to give input to other people's scientific work

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

BPS110 Introduction to psychology, BPS120 The History and Method of Psychology, BPS130 Personality psychology, social psychology and psychological methods, BPS140 Biological psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive psychology, BPS210 Work and organisational psychology, BPS220 Health psychology, BPS230 Pedagogical psychology

Exam

Multiple choice exam and home exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Multiple choice exam 1/4 2 Hours Letter grades
Home exam 3/4 Letter grades

Written home exam. 3,000 words (+/-10%) including abstract and references. Reference and formatting style: APA 7. The students are given a topic for the assignment by the course supervisor.Students who do not pass the multiple-choice exam can retake the exam in the winter/spring semester. Students who have not passed the exam in the subject at the latest with a new or postponed exam are referred to the next ordinary exam in the subject together with subsequent cohorts.

Coursework requirements

Seminars

All of the compulsory activities must be approved in order for the student to be eligible for examination. Approval/non-approval of compulsory activities is announced on Studentweb, normally no later than 7 days before the examination. Students who lack approval of one or more compulsory activities will be withdrawn from the examination.

Compulsary activities:

  • Seminars: Preparation for, attendance and participation in five seminars. Students who have less than 75% attendance at the seminars lose the right to take the examination, regardless of the reason.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Francesco Margoni

Method of work

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

  • Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading relevant literature. The recommended reading is indicated in the lecture plan.
  • In seminars, the students will make practice evaluating and discussing research in light of what presented in class during the lectures. The seminars will also be used as an arena to practise giving and receiving feedback on the research project that students will work on during the course.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Knowledge development and research design (BPS320_1) 10

Open for

Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

The syllabus can be found in Leganto