Tabs
Content and outline of the course
This course is an introduction that primarily aims at acquainting you with different methods and their foundations.
Objectives:
- Preparation for the collection and/or analysis of primary data when working on a scientific research project (e.g. your thesis).
- Preparation for the application of data collection methods in your future professional life.
Course content:
The course includes three sessions on background and basics (parts I and III) plus eight on different data collection methods (part II). Each of the eight sessions on data collection methods includes:
- Theoretical foundations of the method
- Advantages and limitations; when is it appropriate to use the method?
- How to proceed and what to consider when using the method in science and practice
- Where to find further information on the method
Course outline:
I. Background
I.1 Basics of data collection in the social and behavioral sciences
I.2 The process of empirical research
I.1 Basics of data collection in the social and behavioral sciences
I.2 The process of empirical research
II. Data collection methods in theory and practice
II.1 Interview and survey, part 1
II.2 Interview and survey, part 2
II.3 Rating, judging, comparing
II.4 Psychological testing, part 1
II.5 Psychological testing, part 2
II.6 Observation and simulation
II.7 Unobtrusive measures
II.8 Physiological measures
II.1 Interview and survey, part 1
II.2 Interview and survey, part 2
II.3 Rating, judging, comparing
II.4 Psychological testing, part 1
II.5 Psychological testing, part 2
II.6 Observation and simulation
II.7 Unobtrusive measures
II.8 Physiological measures
III. Legal and ethical aspects
Course schedule
The course is designed like a weekly lecture, so you should need eleven weeks to complete all eleven sessions. However, you are free to allot time to it as it suits you, since all sessions are unlocked from the beginning.
Communication and support
Since it is a virtual course, we also communicate virtually. For this, we have set up a forum where you can interact with other students and with the tutor. There is a thread for organizational questions as well as threads for each of the eleven sessions. In the session-threads, you can discuss the session’s content with other participants or ask content-related questions. In some sessions, you will also be invited to discuss specific questions in the forum. Please make ample use this opportunity for exchange, but remain friendly – even if opinions should differ.
The tutor for this course is [Name Surname], whom you can contact with any organizational and content-related questions. Her email is name.surname@fau.de. However, please post questions preferably in the forum, so that all participants can see the tutor’s response. Also, before asking, it is worthwhile to check whether your question has already been addressed in the forum.
Self assessment
At the end of each session, you will find a short self-test. This is to help you assess whether you have understood the content. It is an online test, at the end of which you will receive immediate (automatic) feedback.
To be admitted to the exam or receive a certificate of attendance, it is required that you successfully complete the self-tests of all eleven sessions. This means that you must score at least 80% of the achievable points in each test. You can repeat the self-tests as often as you like.
Examination
Two types of examination are available for this course.
- Written exam for 3 ECTS
- Written exam and case study for 5 or 6 ECTS
For further information on these three options, please refer to the "Assessment" section.
There you will also find information on examination dates and deadlines, the exam registration procedure and other regulations that apply to your university.
There you will also find information on examination dates and deadlines, the exam registration procedure and other regulations that apply to your university.