Term Paper, Cognitive Psychology

ECTS Credits

6

Level of Study

.

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

Teaching semester

Autumn and spring

Place of Instruction

University of Bergen

Objectives and Content

Students will conduct a research project and write a research paper within the field of cognitive psychology. The aim is to gain experience in research methods, research findings and scientific authorship. Projects can be theoretical and based on literature search, or be empirical and involve data collection and/or analysis. Students will work in groups, submitting one joint paper per group. A choice of themes that reflect the current research interests of supervisors will be provided. Students may suggest other themes within cognitive psychology, but this is dependent on approval from the course tutor and on availability of supervisors.

It is sometimes possible for students to work as a scientific assistant instead of writing a full paper, but such work can only give pass/fail course credit rather than a grade.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

By the completion of the course the student will have knowledge of:

• The basic methodological design used in studies of cognition.

Skills

By the completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Evaluate the experimental design, method and conclusion in research articles which test cognitive theories.
• Conduct an empirical, theoretical or literature-based study, and write a paper in APA format, on a research question within cognitive psychology.

General Competence

By the completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Reflect on the importance of empirical evidence for theoretical positions within various areas of cognitive psychology.

Required Previous Knowledge

Due to the limited number of spaces available and special entry requirements, admission to the course is limited.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of cognitive psychology and have taken a previous university-level course in cognitive psychology at introductory level.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

.

Access to the Course

.

Teaching and learning methods

Supervision in groups of 3-4 students.

Students are required to participate in a seminar where all groups will present their research papers as short conference presentations.

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

Supervision in groups of 3-4 students.

Students are required to participate in a seminar where all groups will present their research papers as short conference presentations.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

• One obligatory introductory meeting for the research projects.

Forms of Assessment

• Term Paper Conference Day:

Participation during this student conference (one whole day or two half days) where students present and discuss their research projects. Grading will be passed or failed.

• Term paper:

Students must submit a research paper, based on their work, with a maximum length of 6000 words of main text. Papers must be written in APA format. Papers are submitted online.

If students have worked as research assistants, they must instead submit a short research report (maximum 2000 words) that includes a description of the project, methods and any results that were obtained.

Examination Support Material

.

Grading Scale

The grading system for term paper conference will be passed or failed.

The grading system for the term paper will be grades A-F.

Students who have worked as research assistant will not receive a grade, but will be assessed on a pass-fail basis.

Assessment Semester

Spring/autumn

Reading List

Some initial reading will usually be suggested by project supervisors, but students are expected to conduct literature searches on their own.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology's routines for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen's Quality Assurance System.

Programme Committee

Department of Psychosocial Science

Course Coordinator

Department of Psychosocial Science

Course Administrator

The Faculty of Psychology