Psychological Research

Paper Code: 
Psy 123
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives (COs):

This course will enable the students to –

 

  1. Provide students with the fundamental knowledge of research methods used in Psychology.
  2. Facilitate students’ understanding for how using valid scientific methods can improve and create knowledge in the field of psychology.

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Learning Outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

 

 

PSY 123

 

 

 

 

Research Methods in Psychology

The students will be able to –

CO11: Develop a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research.

CO12: Understanding of various research paradigms like positivism, social constructionism, and more.

CO13: Understanding the distinctive features of a select qualitative research methods and plan small qualitative research.

CO14: Demonstrating an understanding of interpreting results of research and writing a research report.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

12.00
Unit I: 
An Introduction to Inquiry:
  • Dialectics of Psychological Research- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic Explanation,
  • Inductive vs. Deductive Theory,
  • Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data,
  • Pure vs. Applied Research;
  • Paradigms- Logical Positivism,
  • Social Construction,
  •  Feminist Paradigm and Critical perspective.
  • Ethics of Research

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Quantitative Research:
  • Measurement: Levels of Measurement,
  • Principles of good measurement;
  • Variables: Independent variables,
  • Approaches to manipulate independent variables,
  • Dependent variables,
  • Quasi-Independent Variables;
  • Scales of Measurement: Likert scaling, Thurstone scaling, Guttman scale, Semantic differential scale; Psychological scaling methods.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Qualitative Data Analysis:
  • Issues- Subjectivity,
  • Reflexivity,
  • Power,
  • Validity and
  • Triangulation;
  •  Field Research Paradigms- Naturalism, Ethnography, Grounded Theory, Case Studies & Extended case Studies

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Analysis of Data:
  • Qualitative Data Analysis:
  • Linking Theory
  • Analysis, Data Processing-
  • Coding, Memoing,
  • Concept Mapping,
  • Qualitative Analysis of Quantitative Data;
  • Quantitative Data Analysis-
  • Quantification of Data,
  • Univariate Analysis, Bivariate analysis

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Interpreting the Results of Research:
  • Interpreting Specific Results- Problem of Scale Attenuation,
  • Regression Artifacts;
  • Interpreting Patterns of Research- Reliability & Replication,
  • Converging Operations.
  • Writing the Research Report: The Quantitative Research Report,
  • The Qualitative Research Report
Essential Readings: 
  • Kerlinger, F. N. & Lee, H.B.(2000). Foundation of Behavioral Research (4th Ed.). Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers.
  • Elmes, D. G., Kantowitz, B.H & Roediger, H. L. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology (8th Ed.). Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth Publications.
  • Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research (10th Ed.). Singapore: Thomson Asia Publications.
  • Gravetter, F. J. & Forzano, L.B. (2006). Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd Ed.).United States of America: Graphic World Publishing Services.
  • Shaughnessy, J.J. & Zechmeister, E.B. (1985). Research Methods in Psychology (4th Ed.). United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies
Academic Year: 
2019-20
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