Research Methods in Psychology WPS-PS-MBPS

The course aims to broaden the student's knowledge, skills, and competences, which corresponds with the following general learning outcomes, specified in the learning outcomes for the training program for the faculty of Psychology for master's studies.
According to them, the graduate:
- knows what psychology is, how it differs from other sciences, what are its disciplines, what they do in detail (PS_W01)
- understands modern research methodology based on advanced statistics and current psychometry (PS_W06)
- knows how to apply appropriate statistical analysis methods to interpret empirical data and to assess the value of research techniques used (PS_U06)

For the Research Methods in a Psychology course, this corresponds with the following specific learning outcomes:
KNOWLEDGE
1. The student knows the classification of variables, methods of their selection, and operationalization.
2. He or she knows the different research methods in psychology (observational, in particular experimental).
3. He or she knows how to maximize the validity of the study by controlling confounding factors.
4. He or she knows the procedure of planning research in psychology. Is aware of the requirement to set the research in a specific psychological theory.
5. He or she knows the rules of selecting samples according to sampling patterns.
6. Student distinguishes and characterizes basic statistical analyzes
7.He or she knows what the replication crisis in psychology is.
8. He or she knows the basics of meta-analysis as a method of data synthesis.
9. He or she knows the legal and ethical aspects of psychological research.

SKILLS
1. The student can define a research scheme for the verification of the cause and effect hypothesis.
2. He or she can plan his/her research in a methodologically correct way, following applicable legal and ethical principles.
3. He or she can distinguish between experimental and quasi-experimental studies.
4. He or she is able to interpret the results obtained based on the statistical methods discussed (ANOVA, linear regression).

COMPETENCES
1. The student can participate in a critical discussion on the scientific aspects of empirical work.
2. He or she is critical towards his or her own research work and should be open to constructive criticism, not withdrawing from a substantive discussion.
3. He or she maintains criticism of the results of statistical analysis as a tool used to verify theoretical theses

Lecture - 30 hours
Practical classes - 30 hours
Students’ preparations for lecture / reading texts - 25 hours
Students’ preparations for the practical classes / reading texts / homeworks - 20 hours
Students’ preparation for the exam - 30 hours.
Office hours for students - 15 hours.
(150 hours / 25 = 6 ECTS)

A final grade is based on a written exam, which students can take at the end of the semester, only if they have successfully completed the practical classes: A positive grade (at least “sufficient”) in the practical classes is a prerequisite to take the final, written exam.
The written exam covers material presented during lectures and in the recommended literature.
Example questions, to be expected in the exam, are given to the students throughout the lecture and at the end of semester.

Criteria of the exams assessment:
Insufficient (2): A student has mastered less than 60% of knowledge and skills, covered in the teaching program. He or she gives definitions which are incomplete or incorrect. He or she is not able to apply knowledge in practical tasks/ questions.

Sufficient (3): A student has mastered at least 60% of knowledge and skills, covered in the teaching program. He or she is able to demonstrate the knowledge with understanding and is able to apply it in practical tasks / questions.

Good (4): A student has mastered at least 80% of knowledge and skills, covered in the teaching program. He or she is able to demonstrate the knowledge with understanding and is able to apply it in practical tasks / questions.

Very good (5): A student has mastered a virtually whole scope of material, covered in the teaching program. He or she can fully and competently present methodological expertise, and is able to apply it in practical tasks / questions. A student is also able to approach methodological issues critically.

Babbie, E. (2021). Badania społeczne w praktyce. Warszawa: PWN (rozdział 7 i 8).
Brzeziński, J. (2019). Metodologia badań psychologicznych, Warszawa: PWN (wybrane fragmenty).
Szymańska, A. (2026). Mathematical Modeling in Psychology Using Artificial Intelligence. UKW Press

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

• Description of WPS-PS-MBPS in USOSweb