Learning outcomes
The course aims:
- to develop in students a body of knowledge and critical understanding of the research process in psychology, in particular with regard to research methodology and various quantitative and qualitative research methods;
- to equip students with a range of secondary research skills required to critically examine and appraise published research articles, especially in educational science;
- to enable students to plan, conduct, present and critically evaluate a Research Project meeting the standards of professional research.
 The scientific method. How we know what we know; goals of science; types of research.
 Hypotheses and statistics. The research process; the research hypothesis; logical hypotheses; statistical hypotheses.
 Variables and measurement. Operational definitions; measurement scales; reliability and validity
 Experimental validity.
 Naturalistic research. Naturalistic observation; participant observation; field experimentation; archival research.
 Correlational approaches. Overview; applications; problems; multiple regression, factor analysis; interpretation
 Experimental research. Pre-experimental designs; experimental designs; within subject designs; between subject designs; factorial designs.
 Quasi-experimental designs.
 Single-subject designs.
Textbooks:
D.H. McBurney, Metodologia della ricerca in psicologia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 3a edizione, 2001: capp. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.
