Development of Projects in Psychology

Recommended Prerequisites

This curricular unit presupposes a basic knowledge of research methods in social and human sciences, particularly in the field of Psychology.

Teaching Methods

In order to foster an active, reflective and critical posture in students, the curricular unit favours a dynamic articulation between teaching methods focused on lectures (using audiovisual support) and skill improvement in the classroom (critical analysis of articles; reading and guided discussion of scientific texts - by the teachers and mainly by the students, presentation of a project through Posters and pitches, communication of research outputs), with teaching methods focused on active and independent exploration, including prior study and self-learning.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit is aimed at providing in-depth knowledge about the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of research projects in Psychology. This curricular unit intends to foster a critical and holistic posture regarding research methods by imparting knowledge about conceptual, procedural, analytical and ethical specificities. Emphasis will be given to the implementation of research and knowledge about a project's research stages and planning process. This unit also intends to promote diverse transversal skills, namely in the conceptualisation, preparation and writing of projects, as well as scientific writing and communication (different formats and contexts of communication; publication in scientific journals).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Principles of research in Psychology

1.1 Stages of the research process and research designs

1.2 Samples, sampling methods and selection of measures

1.3 Context and key principles of research about intervention in Psychology

1.4 Ethics in research

 

2. Key issues in recent research

2.1 The study of processes and the development of intervention programs

2.2 Monitoring and evaluation of outcomes of intervention programs

 

3. Planning and elaboration of a research project

3.1 Critical literature review and systematisation of information

3.2 Identification of research needs

3.3 Writing a project

 

4. Scientific writing

4.1 Essential skills of scientific writing

4.2 APA style and reference management software

 

5. Communication

5.1 Basic principles of communication

5.2. Science communication and presentation of projects

5.2 Types and structure of scientific documents

5.3 Preparation, submission, and review of an article

Head Lecturer(s)

Marco Daniel de Almeida Pereira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Presentation of a research idea: 25.0%
Research project in a Poster format: 75.0%

Bibliography

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7.ª ed.). APA.

Brough, P. (Ed.) (2019). Advanced research methods for applied Psychology: Design, analysis and reporting. Routledge.

Cooper, H. (Ed.). (2012). Handbook of research methods in psychology. APA.

Lewis, N. A., & Wai, J. (2021). Communicating what we know, and what isn’t so: Science communication in psychology. Perspectives on Psychological Science. doi:10.31234/osf.io/cfmzk

Os recursos considerados indispensáveis para a realização da dissertação serão fornecidas pelos orientadores durante o ano letivo, de acordo com as necessidades específicas de cada domínio de investigação.

The resources deemed essential for successfully completing the dissertation will be provided by the supervisors during the school year, according to the specific needs of each aresearch area.