Research Methods - I

Paper Code: 
PSY 123
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

COURSE OUTCOMES

 

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

  
 

On completion of this course, the students will be able to: 

CO11: Develop a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research and comprehending various paradigms of inquiry to apply in basic research. 

CO12: Recognize and appraise the elements of research and determine the importance of sampling.

CO13: Understanding the distinctive features of an experimental design and its application in research.

CO14: Inferring various non-experimental and quasi-experimental strategies with their strengths and limitations.

CO15: Demonstrating an understanding of factorial and correlational research strategies and their use in psychological research.

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 Research

Dialectics of Psychological Research: Idiographic vs Nomothetic Explanation, Inductive vs Deductive Theory, Qualitative vs Quantitative Research, Pure vs Applied Research; Ethics of Research; The Research Process; Identifying and Formulating Research questions

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Elements of Research

Reviewing the literature: Narrative review, Systematic review, Searching the existing literature; Hypothesis formulation: Characteristics of a good hypothesis; Sampling: Population and Samples, Sample size, Probability Sampling Methods, Non-probability Sampling Methods

12.00
Unit III: 
Experimental Research Strategy

Cause and effect relationship; Elements of an experiment; Experimental Design (Between Subjects Design): Characteristics of Design; Advantages and Disadvantages of Between-Subjects Design; Individual differences and other confounding variables; Limiting confounding by Individual differences; Threats to Internal validity of Between-Subjects design; Experimental Design (Within Subjects Design): Characteristics of Design; Advantages and Disadvantages of Within-Subjects Design; Threats to Internal validity of Within-Subjects design; Dealing with time-related threats and order effects; Applications of Between-subjects and Within-subjects designs

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Non-experimental and Quasi-experimental Strategies

Structure of non-experimental and quasi-experimental designs; Between subjects: Non-experimental design with non-equivalent groups; Quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent groups; Threats to Internal Validity for Non-equivalent group designs; Within subjects: Non-experimental pre-post design; Quasi-experimental pre-post design; Threats to Internal Validity for pre-post designs

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Factorial Designs and Correlational Strategy

Introduction to factorial design; Main effects; Interaction between factors; Interpreting main effects and interactions; Types of Factorial designs: Between subjects and within subject design; Experimental and Non-experimental designs; Pre-test – Post-test Control group design;

Correlational Designs: Evaluating relationships for Numerical scores and Ranks; Interpreting and Statistically evaluating a correlation; Strengths and Weaknesses of Correlational Strategy

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research (10th Ed.). Singapore: Thomson Asia Publications.
  • Bryman, A. (2004). Quantity and Quality in Social Research. Routledge.
  • Elmes, D. G., Kantowitz, B.H & Roediger, H. L. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology (8th Ed.). Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth Publications.
  • Gravetter, F. J. & Forzano, L.B. (2006). Research Methods for the Behavioural Sciences (2nd Ed.).United States of America: Graphic World Publishing Services.
  • Kerlinger, F. N. & Lee, H.B.(2000). Foundation of Behavioural Research (4th Ed.). Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers.
  • Shaughnessy, J.J. & Zechmeister, E.B. (1985). Research Methods in Psychology (4th Ed.). United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies.

 

References: 

Suggested Readings

  • Alderson, C. J., Alderson, J. C., Clapham, C., Wall, D., & Swan, M. (1995). Language test construction and evaluation. Cambridge University Press. 
  • Embretson, S. E. (Ed.). (2013). Test design: Developments in psychology and psychometrics. Academic Press. 
  • Murphy, K.R, & Davidshofer, C.O. (1994). Psychological Testing. Principles and Applications. New Jersy :Prentice Hall. 
  • Nunnally, J.C. (1967). Psychometric Theory. New York: McGraw Hill Publication. 

 

E-Resources

  • ResearchGate
  • JSTOR
  • Proquest
  • Shodhganga
  • Delnet
  • Google Scholar
  • National Digital Library (NPTEL)
  • Academia

 

Journals

  • Perspectives on Psychological Science
  • Annual Review of Psychology
  • Psychological Bulletin
  • Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
  • Psychological Sciences
  • IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review
  • Psychometrika

 

 

Academic Year: 
2022-23
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