Psychology MA, Research Method I, Statistics and Research Design, 7.5 credits

Aim

This course aims to provide an overview in research methods in psychology and quantitative statistical analysis, with focus on statistical inferences, and designing
informative experiments.

Course objectives

After completing the course, students will:

Knowledge and understanding
• Be able to identify and describe the basic research methods used in psychological research.
• Be able to describe the principles behind statistical inferences and statistical power.
• Be able to describe the principles behind the use of ANOVA and multiple regression.

Skills and abilities
• Be able to choose adequate research method based on the research problem.
• Be able to decide when to apply a particular ANOVA and multivariate regression models to answer a research question, and be able to interpret and evaluate the obtained results.
• Be able to use statistical programs to run and interpret various ANOVA and multivariate regression models.
• Be able to use software to run and interpret statistical power

Judgement and approach
• Be able to critically evaluate methodological and statistical aspects in different types of studies in research on emotions, and detect possible threats to validity and statistical inferences.

Content

A general view of the different types of research methods used in psychology will be presented and discussed, with specific emphasis on the identification of the more frequent threats to the validity of different studies. The student will develop the capacity of critically evaluate different types of research studies and statistical methods used within the field of emotions.
The course will also provide skills in analysis of variance and multivariate regression models focusing on the practical utilization and interpretation.

Entry requirements

A bachelor´s degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS) with a major in psychology.

English course 6/English course B from Swedish Upper Secondary School (Gymnasium) or the equivalent.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The course is taught through online lectures, seminars and interactions as well as through individual and/or group assignments to be submitted online.

All parts of the course are a basis for the examination, and for scheduled examinations attendance are compulsory. Students are required to actively use the university's learning platform. The platform is the primary communication tool used for students and teachers, and students will find important information needed to complete the course in the course room.

Examination form

1101: Assignment Reports, 2 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale

2101: Seminars, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale

3101: Written assignment and oral presentation, 4 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A-F o Fx

The course will be examined in three ways:
1. Completion of assignment reports (e.g., quizzes, tasks related to performing statistical analyses),
2. Active participation in online seminars and discussions (e.g., asking questions, contributing to discussions, oral presentations of individual or group assignments),
3. Written final assignment and oral presentation (e.g., discussion of own and/or other students’ final assignments).

All examinations take place in English.

The final grade of the course is obtained when all examinations on the course are passed.
Link to subject-specific criteria for marks www.miun.se/betygskriterier

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities advisor.

Examination restrictions

Students registered on this version of the syllabus have the right to be examined three (3) times within one (1) year according to this syllabus. After that, the latest version of the syllabus applies

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A-F o Fx

Other information

This course is being taught in English.

Course certificate, credit transfers, appeals etc are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance.

The course can not be included in a degree together with the course code PS056A.