2019-2020 / PSYC5867-1

Methodological foundations of psychological sciences

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in psychology and education : speech and language therapy3 crédits 
 Bachelor in psychology and education : general3 crédits 

Lecturer

André Ferrara

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course introduces the main research methods in psychology (nonexperimental, correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental designs).
It presents a methodological overview of scientific research in psychology: hypothesis formulation, classical experimental designs (between-subjects factorial designs, within-subjects designs, mixed designs, etc.), alternatives to experimentation. Validity notions, ...
It constitutes a first approach to the use of the scientific method in answering fundamental or applied research questions.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The course helps developing critical thinking relatively to the use of the experimental approach in psychology. It initiates the student into the hypothesis operationalization and the conception of an experimental design, viewing potential biases which could impact the experiment validity.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures.
Scheduled interactive sessions for the experimental designs study (problem solving).

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face.

Recommended or required readings

Required manual: A. Myers & C. Hansen (2007). Psychologie expérimentale. De Boeck.   Additional notes and illustrations to the textbook will be provided through myULiege/supports de cours (PDF files).

Assessment methods and criteria

Written exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Ferrara André (04/366.22.32 - a.ferrara@uliege.be)

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

On eCampus, material not covered by face-to-face courses finds support via eCampus.
For each chapter, you will find :

  • PowerPoint files with voice comments (podcasts) and the corresponding PDF files.
  • forums to ask questions.
  • exercises to perform (making your exercise provides feedback).

Assessment subjects

The subject to be studied is included in chapters 1 and 2, 7 to 11 of the manual ; details on eCampus (checklist of important questions and keywords).
Experiment planification in psychology.
Description and analysis of the experimental plan.
Methodological precautions to be used according to the plan.
Understanding and application of the concepts of validity and fidelity.

Assessment methods

"Open book" exam.
Short answer questions.
For other details, see eCampus.
Following developments on eCampus is important.

Contacts

Via the platforms on eCampus.

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Contacts