Scientific Project in Psychology for Exchange Students, 19.5 credits

A very good command of English, corresponding to 550 TOEFL scores or a very good command of Swedish, corresponding to a pass in the TISUS test. Two years of university studies, including at least one course in psychology. The student should have knowledge of statistics and scientific method corresponding to university studies at undergraduate level (i.e., the knowledge and skills needed to study with a high degree of independence).

The objective of the course is for students to enhance their knowledge of psychology and psychological methods by planning and executing an independent empirical project under supervision for a 19,5 ECTS Scientific project in the field of psychology.

On completion of the course, the students should be able to:

• Search scientific databases, extract relevant publications and review, evaluate and summarise publications of relevance to the content of their project paper
• Identify and formulate a point of scientific inquiry in the field of psychology with respect to the resources and time available
• Under supervision, independently define, analyse and discuss study design and method in relation to the point of inquiry, and with respect to the prevailing ethical rules
• Under supervision, Independently locate, collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information in relation to the point of inquiry
• Under supervision, independently compile, analyse and interpret the data collected in relation to the point of inquiry, using academic language and the scientific praxis applied in the field of psychology
• Independently discuss, critically evaluate and make cases for or against, respectively and where appropriate, the content of their own and other students’ project papers on the grounds of their relevance to the subject and of methodological and ethical considerations
• Demonstrate an ability to comply with accepted scientific practice and ethical rules; integrity in their research and documentation; and an awareness of the responsibilities of research involving human subjects
• Discuss and understand the importance of collaboration in attaining a high level of quality in all parts of the research process

At the start of the course, students select one of the available project paper subjects offered in the field of psychology. It is also possible for students to present alternative project paper subjects, given that these meet the course criteria for approved projects. Avaliable subjects are decided by the examiner in consultation with a Scientific project committee, and are then sent for approval to the research forum of the Study Programme in Psychology.

Possible subjects include:

• Conducting, analysing and reporting of psychological experiments
• Analysing and reporting a particular set of data from an established research project
• Conducting psychometric evaluations of psychological instruments
• Conducting systematic reviews of recently published psychological research
• Conducting a secondary analysis of published data on the basis of a new point of inquiry

The course begins with the drawing up of a project plan that lays out the general structure, content and timing of the work to be done. At this stage, the scope of the project is defined and a time plan is established. Students are also offered support on searching scientific literature in the library’s databases. They then carry out their own project under supervision, during which time they have opportunities to test and develop knowledge and methodological skills of relevance to their subject. The course concludes with an examination seminar, during which the project papers are debated.

If requested, the students are offered basic guidance on writing a project paper. Projects are conducted under supervision and examined in a respondent/opponent format. Available project paper subjects are presented by the research forum. Each proposed subject is to be documented with a defined problem area, key reading list, methodology and specific learning objective. During the first few days of the course, the students and their supervisors delimit and define the subject and draw up a time plan. The students are then to plan, conduct and report an independent scientific project under supervision. Completed projects are then reported in a scientific paper to be debated with an opponent during a concluding seminar. Participation in these project paper seminars is compulsory and entails active presence at other students’ seminars and opposing another scientific project paper.

Achieved learning objectives are examined through presentation of the project paper during a project paper seminar where the project paper, the defence and the public discussion and examination are evaluated by the examiner.

The various parts are awarded the following grades:

1) Project paper: Fail (F), fail (Fx), sufficient (E), satisfactory (D), good (C), very good (B) or excellent (A). (Grade F means that considerable additional work is required, and grade Fx means that some additional work is required. Grade E means that the performance meets the minimum criteria, and A that the performance are outstanding with only minor errors).
2) Respondent performance (defence and discussion of own project paper): Either sufficient (E), or Fail (F or Fx).
3) Opponent performance (for another project paper): Either sufficient (E), or Fail (F or Fx).

Supervisors assess whether the project paper is ready to be submitted for public discussion at the seminar. If the project paper is not ready to be presented at the end of the course, the student will receive some additional supervision. The project papers presented at the seminar form the basis of the students’ grades. The project paper seminar is an occasion for feedback. Possibility to supplement is given after the seminar. Final rating on the project paper (as well as the entire course) is given to the student after the final version is submitted to the examiner.

To pass the entire course, students must obtain at least grade E on all three parts above are required to get the grade E (Sufficient) on the entire course. Active participation in three other compulsory project paper seminars is also required. (The Examiner may decide to allow another comparable assignment.) For a grade of A, B, C or D on the entire course, at least the grade E on part 2 and 3 is required, as well as a grade of either A, B, C or D on the written project paper. In the event of a student obtaining a fail grade (i.e., F or Fx) for respondent or opponent performance and in the event of absence, written supplementary information may be demanded by the examiner or the student may have to participate in a new seminar to meet the criteria for the grade of at least E. If In the event of a student obtaining a fail grade (i.e., F or Fx) for the project paper, he or she will receive information of rectifying steps to achieve learning objectives. The Examinor decides if a new project paper seminar is needed. Submission dates for revised project papers are the same as the accepted examination resit dates during the following term.

The transitional regulations comply with KI’s local guidelines.

If the start of the project is delayed (for more than one term from the start of the course), the students cannot expect to be supervised by their original supervisor, which may impinge upon their ability to conclude their project in accordance with the original plan.

The course is evaluated in compliance with KI's local guidelines. Students are informed of their results and any measures taken on the course website.