Research Methodology and Statistics, 9 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Cognitive Science

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
and
Social Studies, English and Mathematics corresponding to the level in Swedish upper secondary education (Samhällskunskap 1b or 1a1 and 1a2, Engelska 6, Matematik 3b or 3c)

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should be able to: 

• formulate scientific hypotheses and use statistics to test them
• describe different measurement scales, distributions and statistical tests
• assess scientific work
• describe scientific practice and research ethics
• discuss and motivate choice of theory, method, analysis, and interpretation of results in a study
• conduct and report a scientific study
• apply criteria to constructively oppose another’s work
• assess and discuss reliability and validity in scientific studies.

Course content

The course will cover the following areas:

• Scientific method
• Experimental and non-experimental design
• Control, sampling, measurement, levels of measurement, power
• Reliability and validity
• Ethical considerations in research
• Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and non-parametric statistics
• Designing, conducting and reporting scientific studies in within cognitive science
• Opposing and defending report

Teaching and working methods

Teaching will take the form of lectures, seminars, practicals and labs. Students are expected to work independently, both alone and in groups.

Examination

The course will be examined through individualtake-home exam, group take-home exam, group assignments, and active participation in seminars. Detailed information can be found in the course study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department