Description
The course aims to get students acquainted with the practice of empirical research on the level required for their Research Master’s thesis. We will pay attention to both the methodological design and the statistical analysis of results. The course offers tools for assessing the quality of published research results as well as for producing one’s own research report.
During the course we will (re)visit and discuss different analyses and common assumptions. In this course, we extend these assumptions with a strong emphasis on their 1) practical feasibility, 2) interpretation and 3) implications for use in daily academic as well as clinical research practice. In addition, we connect the general concept of some more advanced techniques, such as nonlinear transformations and the bootstrap, to the just-mentioned foundations. In addition, we will introduce some concepts that will later be addressed in more detail in the specialized course Applied Multivariate Data Analysis.
We practice the three aspects regarding assumptions using several real empirical datasets in order to make a direct connection between research methodology and the practice of Education and Child Studies.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, the student:
Is competent in methodological and technical research skills that are most commonly applied in Education and Child Studies;
Is able to design and conduct research in one of the research areas of the Institute of Education and Child Studies;
Is able to critically evaluate aspects of study design and methodology in empirical research;
Can analyse and critically evaluate scientific literature to establish its practical or theoretical relevance;
Can formulate a consistent line of reasoning, based on scientific arguments;
Can report in writing (in English) on human development in an academic professional context;
Is conscious of ethical considerations involved in performing and describing scientific research.
Timetable
For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable
Mode of instruction
Seven lectures;
Seven lab sessions (attendance obligatory);
Materials as well as instruction will be in English.
Assessment method
Grades are based on a final research paper (written in English), under the condition that all other obligatory assignments have been successfully completed.
The final paper assignment is formulated around an existing empirical dataset, two PhD theses and several journal articles have been published. Based on a multipage overview you will write your own research proposal, with an emphasis on the methodological aspects as discussed in the course. This proposal will receive thorough feedback, based on which you will adapt the proposal, perform the analysis and present these – and their results – in the end paper. A format for the end paper will be provided on Brightspace. The lecturers will grade your paper using a detailed rubric system. Feedback on the final paper is based on these rubrics, with additional comments if required. If you receive a failing grade, you will get one opportunity to rewrite your paper based on the feedback.
Brightspace
During this course Brightspace will be used. The Brightspace site will contain announcements, course documents, information on tutorials and computer labs, lecture notes and discussion boards.
Reading list
A Student Manual will be available on Brightspace prior to the start of the course. Additional materials will be announced and, whenever possible, made available in the Brightspace course module.
Registration
Education
It is mandatory to register for each course via uSis. This applies to both the lectures and the working groups, even if they take place online. Without a valid registration in uSis you will not be able to participate in the course and you will not have access to the Brightspace module of the course.
Exams
In addition, it is also mandatory to register separately in uSis for each exam (i.e. both the first exam opportunity and, if necessary, the resit) in uSis. This also applies to partial examinations in a course. This is possible up to 10 calendar days prior to the exam. You cannot take the exam without a valid registration in uSis.
NB If the exam concerns a paper or a practical assignment, you do not need to register in uSis.
Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.
NB After you have registered in uSis, check whether your registration for lectures, working groups and the exam are registered there. This prevents disappointment.
Contact information
All necessary information on the course will be provided on Brightspace.
If, after consulting Brightspace, you still have questions, please: o Email dr. R.C.A. Rippe: for enrolment and organisational issues; o Email dr. R.C.A. Rippe or dr. M. Linting: for specific issues with respect to tutorials, computer labs, end paper, and absence; o Pose general questions regarding the end paper on the general Brightspace forum; o Pose specific questions related to the subject of your tutorial group on the Group forum.