Scientific method I

This is a second cycle, program course which is part of the Psychotherapy programme, 90 higher education credits.

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Programme for Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy (S2PTE)

Only students admitted to the Psychotherapy Program, 90 higher education credits, focusing on individual psychotherapy (CBT alternatively PDT) at the University of Gothenburg, have access to this course.

The course takes up different perspectives of knowledge and provides insight into different guidelines in philosophy of science, with relevance for research about psychotherapy and treatment. The course gives an overview of different research methods in psychotherapy (design, data collection, analysis). The student receives training in critically reviewing and discussing research reports within the field of psychotherapy. The course aims to prepare the student for compiling a research plan/ planning report.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain the process from posing a research question to scientific report in a general manner
• explain basic statistic and psychometric concepts that are relevant to and common in research about psychotherapy and treatment
• explain basic concepts in qualitative method that are relevant to and common in research about psychotherapy and treatment

Competence and skills

• explain how a study’s purpose and research question/hypothesis affects the selection of research design and variables/methods
• recount and discuss how different quantitative and qualitative research designs can affect a study’s conclusions and limitations

Judgement and approach

• reflect in ethical aspects in psychotherapeutic research

Teaching will take place in the form of lectures and seminars.

Language of instruction: Swedish

The language of instruction is primarily Swedish, however, some lectures can take place in English. The course literature includes some English language texts.

All teaching can be used as the basis for examination. Examination takes place in the form of an individual written assignment and mandatory seminars.

During the course, a limited number of opportunities are given to complete a mandatory part that a student has missed. Missed mandatory parts are completed according to instructions from the course coordinator. In connection with the course, there are two opportunities to re-take an examination, one in close connection to the course and one opportunity at a later time. After those two times, the student can re-take the examination the next time the course is given.

A student who has taken two examinations in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner, unless there are special reasons to the contrary (HF 6 chap. 22§). Such a request should be made in writing to the department responsible for the course.

A student with a recommendation for special educational support from the University of Gothenburg may receive an adapted examination or alternative examination form provided that the examiner decides it is compatible with the course objectives and it does not require unreasonable resources.

In the event that the course has gone through major changes or ceased, the student should be guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the ordinary examination opportunity), during a period of one year, but two years at the most after the changes were made or the course ceased. Regarding internships and education in work places the same rules apply, with the difference of only one additional examination opportunity.

På kursen ges något av betygen Godkänd (G) och Underkänd (U).

För betyg godkänd (G) krävs godkänt (G) på individuell skriftlig inlämningsuppgift samt aktivt deltagande och bidrag vid obligatoriska seminarier.

The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that students are given the opportunity to provide an anonymous, written course evaluation at the end of the course. After the course is finished, the course coordinator writes a report, which includes a summary of the course evaluation. The report is processed in the working group for the Psychotherapy programme and will be communicated to those students who completed the course evaluation, as well as the students who will start the course. These reports will be made available for students.

Students are responsible to make sure they have access to the internet, a computer, or other digital tools if required.

This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Psychology on 2015-09-23 and was revised on 2020-11-03