Research Methodology Course Outline

Research Methods
Instructor: Dr. Saadia Aziz

Credit Hours: 3
Course Code: Psy-501
Semester: Fall, 2018
Program: M.Sc. (First Semester)
Course Objectives
This course is designed to familiarize the students with basic concepts of research methodology
such as from generating research idea to data collection, analysis, and interpretation of research
findings. The course aims at developing scientific reasoning and understanding of research
process. At the completion of the course the students should be able to:
(1) Understand the basic concepts of research methodology
(2) Be aware of ethical issues as per APA
(3)Design, analyze and interpret the findings of an empirical investigation
Course Contents
Introduction to Research and Scientific Methods

Defining Research
Ways of Acquiring Information: Common sense, Experience, Intuition, Authority, Tenacity,
Logical Reasoning, Science
Scientific Method
Brief Description of Research Methods: Archival research, Observational research, Case study,
Survey research, Experimental research
Types of Research: Basic and Applied Research, Qualitative and Quantitative Research,
Descriptive, Correlational, Explanatory and Exploratory Research
Ethics in Research
APA Guidelines for Ethical Research with Human Beings: Issues of Freedom of Choice, Privacy
and Confidentiality, Deception, Debriefing and Risk Benefit Ratio
Critical Review of Milgram and Ash Studies; Ethical Violations in these Studies
Variables and Hypothesis

Defining Variables and Types of Variables
Operational Definitions of Variables
Review of Literature (the search process)
Hypothesis and Formulation of Hypothesis
Observational Research
Defining Observational Research
Types of Observational Research: Observation without Intervention, Observation with
Intervention
Observation with Intervention: Participant Observation, Structured Observation, Field
Experiment
Advantages and Disadvantages of Observation Research
Survey Research
Defining Survey Research
Types of Survey Research: Interviews and Questionnaires
Types of Interviews: Structured, Unstructured, Semi-structured Interviews
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Interviews
Steps involved in constructing a Questionnaire
Advantages and Disadvantages of using Questionnaires
Survey Research Designs: Cross-sectional, Longitudinal, Successive Independent Samples
Design
Case Study Research

Introducing Case Study Research
Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study Research
Experimental Research Design
Steps involved in Experimental Research
Independent and Dependent Variable
Experimental Manipulation
Control and Experimental Group
Balancing Techniques: Randomization, Matching, Blocking
Internal vs External Validity
Threats to Internal Validity
True vs Quasi Experiment
Introducing different Experimental Designs: Pretest-Posttest Design, Posttest Only Design,
Factorial Design, Independent Groups Design/ Between Groups Design, Repeated Measures
Design/Within Groups Design
Sampling and Sampling Strategies

Defining Population and Sample
Sampling Strategies (Probability and Non-Probability)
Writing a Research Report

APA Guidelines for Writing a Research Report
How to Write a Research Proposal?
Research and Viva Voce

Students will conduct a mini research project and will be orally examined for the work they have
done.
Books for Research Methods

1. Evans, A. N., & Rooney, B. J. (2014). Metgods in Psychological research. (3 rd
ed.). US: Sage Publications.
2. Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., &Zechmeister, J. S. (2012). Research

Methods in Psychology. (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. Goodwin, C. J., & Goodwin, K. A. (2012). Research in Psychology: Methods
and Designs. (7th ed.). US: John Wiley & Sons.
4. Mertens, D.M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology.

(4th ed.). US: Sage Publications.
5. Breakwell, G. M., Smith, J. A., & Wright, D. B. (2012). Research Methods in

Psychology. (4th ed.). London: Sage Publications.
6. Smith, R. A., & Davis, S. F. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective: An

Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology. (5th ed.). New Jersey.
Prentice Hall.
7. Smith, J. A. (2008). Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research

Methods. (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.
8. Haslam, S. A., &McGarty, C. (2014). Research Methods and Statistics in

Psychology. (2nd ed.). California: Sage Publications.
Marks Distribution
Semester Work: 20 Marks
Mid Term Exams: 30 Marks
Final Exams: 50 Marks

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Research Methods

Instructor: Dr. Saadia Aziz

Introduction to Research and Scientific Methods

Variables and Hypothesis

Case Study Research

Sampling and Sampling Strategies

Writing a Research Report

Research and Viva Voce

Books for Research Methods

2. Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., &Zechmeister, J. S. (2012). Research

4. Mertens, D.M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology.

5. Breakwell, G. M., Smith, J. A., & Wright, D. B. (2012). Research Methods in

6. Smith, R. A., & Davis, S. F. (2009). The Psychologist as Detective: An

7. Smith, J. A. (2008). Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research

8. Haslam, S. A., &McGarty, C. (2014). Research Methods and Statistics in

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