This course presents the concepts of scientific inquiry and the methods used by psychologists to investigate human behavior and individual differences. It covers basic concepts and procedures across the research process, including reliability and validity, and instrument development and validation (measurement), experimental designs, sampling and surveys, as well as qualitative methods (research design), and the application of analytical tools in testing hypotheses and research questions (data analysis). This course focuses on the quantitative methodological approach. Students are expected to understand the process of quantitative research and be able to conduct their own studies using some of the necessary methods and approaches.

CILO-1: Describe the features and rationale of the major research designs in psychological research. CILO-2: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of the major research designs. CILO-3: Search for high quality information relevant to a topic. CILO-4: Summarize and integrate the ideas from the information sources. CILO-5: Write a well-defined hypothesis that can be empirically investigated. CILO-6: Design a simple study to empirically examine a hypothesis. CILO-7: Analyse the data collected with appropriate strategies. CILO-8: Present the results and their implications clearly. CILO-9: Identify the limitations of a study. CILO-10: Describe how a study enriches our understanding of a hypothesis and stimulates further studies.