PHVIT9510 Concept and Theory Development in Health Sciences Course description

Students can:

• describe the research strategies and main findings of the initial research on Complex stimulus control describe and discuss the evolution of the field of equivalence research, with emphasis on theoretical explanation
• describe the main theoretical explanatory models for stimulus equivalence, and discuss the supporting evidence for each of them
• describe the experimental procedures in equivalence research, and discuss the findings from selected experiments using the different training procedures
• design and execute experiments

The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, and 6 - 12 seminars of 4 x 45 minutes, and time for discussion and a final seminar (4 x 45 minutes). The introductory meeting takes place 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects, and describe how the course is relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

The seminars target central themes from the course readings for discussion and reflection. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several reaction papers (3 - 4 pages double spaced), and a final presentation of one central theme from the course. Themes are assigned by the lecturers.

The final seminar consists of a discussion of the presentations, which are distributed in advance as papers not to exceed 10 pages double spaced, and introduced by each candidate in a short (3 minute) session. Course teachers mediate the discussions.

• All papers approved,
• attendance in at least 80 % of the seminars, and
• approved paper presentation in final seminar.

Portfolio.

Portfolio requirements: 4 reaction papers

All

Pass / Fail

Internal

Stimulus equivalence - theory, research and possible applications. Alternative interpretations of equivalence relations. The course is strongly research focused. Students are required to read and criticize selected papers with the objectives of offering alternative explanations of the findings. They will design and execute an experiment, and write a report of their findings, discussing theoretical interpretations. If using live subjects, student experiments must be pre-approved by REK (The National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway) for a series with specific techniques. Students write an application for REK approval as a technical exercise. Students may cooperate on experiments.

One internal and one external examiner will assess the answer papers submitted by all candidates.