200083 SE Bachelorarbeit (2022W)

NOTE: this course takes place entirely in ENGLISH!
All session will be in person (subject to change based on Covid-19 regulations). Max. two sessions can be missed.

Aims:
Upon completion of the seminar, students will be able to summarise independently the current state of research in a certain domain of interest within the field of developmental or social psychology in writing (in a format of a registered report that accounts for a bachelor thesis). The aims are to develop a simple research question, translate it into appropriate research operationalisation, plan a suitable scientific investigation, apply the standard methods of psychological research, present a data analysis plan, and discuss the potential outcomes of the investigation while considering future perspectives and limitations. In connection with this, students will acquire skills in presenting own ideas, planning and organizing scientific work, time management, and providing and responding to feedback.

Contents:
The topics of the previous semester's Scientific Readings seminar will be further developed.

Methods:
The course takes place in person (max. two sessions can be missed). Units will be based on a close exchange among students and lecturer and involve the discussion of open questions about the bachelor thesis. The earlier units will focus on formulating hypotheses and study design. The later units will deal with methodology, data analysis planning, and evaluation and interpretation of the study outcomes. Note that conducting a study with data collection is not included in this course as the thesis has a registered report format (introduction, methods, proposed analyses, interpretation).

The thesis specifies the research question(s) and provides a literature review (Part 1: already prepared at the Scientific Readings seminar). Further, it outlines the hypotheses, analysis plan, and provides an interpretation (and discussion) of hypothetical results (Part 2: prepared over the course of this seminar). The deadline for the submission of the bachelor thesis (4000 to 6000 words) is 31.01.2022.

Each student (in group) will hold a short presentation and exchange with other students and the lecturer about the thesis. During the semester, there will be meetings on individual topics related to study design, data analysis, and interpretation of hypothethical results. Towards the end of the semester, students will receive feedback from the lecturer and provide peer feedback on one preliminary bachelor thesis paper of another student. In addition, students are encouraged to contribute to the course through active collaboration and taking part in interactive discussions.