Psychological Research Concepts and Design (P01584)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-P01584

The course examines issues relating to the formulation and execution of research ideas. It examines how psychological research fits into the tradition of general scientific research and considers the constraints imposed on research by ethical considerations. It also examines the precautions that must be taken to ensure that research findings are valid and generalisable.

Topics typically included:
1. Defining and formulating research hypotheses.
2. Development of psychological theories including the philosophy of science.
3. Understanding sampling, sampling error, sampling bias.
4. Generalisability: validity, reliability, replicability.
5. Ethics in Psychological research

Venue: S37, 7 George Square

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Psychology, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Block 1 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
24/09/2007	11:00	13:00	Room S37, 7 George Square	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the relationship between research ideas and the formulation of testable hypotheses.
2. Understand the position of psychological research in the general scientific tradition.
3. Understand the importance of sample selection and mechanisms to ensure adequate sampling.
4. Understand the prerequisites for generalisability of research findings.
5. Understand ethical considerations relating to research design and conduct.