Syllabus (PSYCHOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-3

Semester: 3

Course Code: BPSYMAJ03T

Course Title: Research Methods in Psychology

(L-P-Tu): 5-0-1

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: To educate students with the process and the methods of quantitative and qualitative psychological research traditions.

Learning Outcome: After completing the course the students will learn  Basics of psychological researches, understanding the concept and comparisonbetween quantitative and qualitative research  Steps, formulation of research problems, experimental, non-experimental a

Course Contents:

UNIT 1: BASICS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY

What is Psychological Research? The Goals of Psychological Research; Principles of Good Research; Ethics in Psychological Research.

Research Traditions: Quantitative and Qualitative Orientations towards Research and their Steps; Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research Traditions; Formulating a Problem and Developing a Testable Research Question / Research Hypothesis.

UNIT 2: RESEARCH DESIGN

Introduction to Experimental, Non-Experimental, and Quasi-experimental Research design

UNIT 3: Sampling and Methods of Data Collection

Sample, Sampling Techniques: Probability Sampling Methods and Non-Probability Sampling Methods; Case Study; Observation; Surveys, Focus Group Discussion, Interviews

UNIT 4: ESSENTIALS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Test construction; steps of test construction, guideline for item writing and item analysis, Standardization; Reliability, Validity and Norms of a Psychological Test; factors affecting reliability and validity, applications.

UNIT 5: REPORTING AND PUBLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Steps of writing research proposal, reporting research for journal articles and thesis, (7^th Ed. APA style, American Psychological Association, 2019)

PRACTICUM:

The students are required to conduct two practical, one from each of the following groups. (Any 2-practicum pertaining CC-5)

1. Experiment / Psychological testing

• One experiment based on group data analysis

• One psychological test based on group data analysis

2. Qualitative Research Methods

• Interview
• Observation
• Focus group discussion

REFERENCES:

• Bryman, A.(2004). Quantity and Quality in Social Research. Routledge.
• Chadha, N.K. (2009) Applied Psychometry. Sage Pub: New Delhi
• Dyer, C. (2001) Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methodology and Statistics (2nd Ed.) Oxford: Blackwell Publishers
• Gregory, R.J. (2006). Psychological Testing: History, Principles, and Applications (4 Ed.).New Delhi: Pearson Education.
• Kerlinger, F.N. & Lee, H.B.(1999). Foundations of Behavioural Research. Wadsworth th
• Murphy, K.R. &Davidshofer, C. O. (2004). Psychological Testing: Principles & Applications (6 Ed.) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Neuman, W.L. (2006). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (6 Ed.) Boston: Pearson Education.
• Willig, C. (2001). Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and method. Philadelphia : Open University Press.
• Anastasi, A. & Urbina S.(1996). Psychological Testing, Pearson, First Edition.
• Kothari, C.R. (1990). Research Methodology Methods and Techniques. WishwaPrakashan Calcutta, Second edition.
• McGuigan, F.J.(1990). Experimental Psychology: A Methodological Approach, Prentice Hall.
• Mohsin, S.M.(1984). Research methods in Behavioural Sciences, Orient longman, Calcutta. (Latest edition).
• Singh, A.K.(1988). Tests, Measurements and Research Methods InBehavioural Sciences. Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi.