Learning objectives
The course aims to promote:
- knowledge of the methodological prerequisites of an observation conducted in naturalistic context, and some knowledge of coding schemes applicable in community early childhood;
- knowledge of the main techniques of data analysis and their use in the research;
- knowledge of the key rights and responsibilities of researchers and research participants, and their application in the real professional;
- independence of judgment and autonomy with respect to the issues addressed in the preparation and conduct of a psychological research.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of methodology of psychological research.
Basic computer skills
Course unit content
The laboratory aims to investigate some issues of the psychological research: observational methodology (1 CFU- Prof. Ada Cigala), psychological data analysis (4 CFU- Prof. Tiziana Mancini) and ethics of the research (1 CFU- Prof. Paola Corsano).
Full programme
Observation techniques applied to ecological contexts for early childhood; construction and control of a database; monovariate and bivariate descriptive analyzes; verification of the psychometric properties of the scales; testing hypotheses formalized in a search pattern;application of the SPSS software;coding schemes applied in community early childhood, presentation of the most important principles of research ethics (the protection of subjects and discipline, informed consent, plagiarism, publication of the results).
Bibliography
The study of the topics of the laboratory will be through the study of some research papers that will be identified and selected with the students during the lessons.
Teaching methods
Interactive lessons that require the active participation of students, guided practice coding of video observations, data analysis with SPSS and group discussion on ethical problems, to facilitate the acquisition of the ability to apply the knowledge to reality, the independence of judgment and autonomy in practice.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination provides for the coding of an interactive sequence in ecological contexts, a guided commentary written on the ethical aspects of research presented in a scientific paper, and guided practice on data analysis.
Other information
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