PSYK2400 Research Methods 2 - N=1-designs, Evaluation, and Documentation Course description

When embarking on research and exchange work, it is important to be able to formulate precise and operational goals, choose measurement methods and a design and method that are suitable for determining change, and clearly communicate findings.

An important instrument in the planning and documentation of individual measures is an individual plan, which is a statutory right for users with complex needs for services.

Passed the course PSYK2100.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• describe broad knowledge of the procedure for proper planning and documentation
• explain how scientific journals evaluate and assess articles
• explain the APA standard (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association)

Skills

The student can

• design and give grounds for research questions that can be scientifically studied
• plan and conduct an experimental study
• write a report based on the APA standard
• write a summary of and assess a scientific article
• develop and give grounds for goals in change work and clinical work
• design an individual plan

General competence

The student can

• describe the difference between goals and measures/strategies
• describe the procedure for conducting a scientific study from planning to publication
• formulate overall goals (visions), general goals and specific goals

Work and teaching methods used in the course are seminars, self-study, supervised written assignments, workshops, and practical exercises in the seminars. On the basis of the information given from a case, the students, working in groups, will develop treatment goals on different levels, justify the treatment goals, and present them to the class. In addition, the students will individually develop a research question for a scientific study, plan and conduct the study and write a method and result section.

To prepare for the examination must the following obtain approved:

• Participation throughout the day in 7 seminars. The seminars include both individual and group presentations

Individual written home examination over four days, maximum 3,500 words.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.