Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 461 Readings and Research in Developmental Psychology I
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences
Course Code PSYC 461
Course Title in English Readings and Research in Developmental Psychology I
Course Title in Turkish Gelişim Psikolojisinde Okuma ve Araştırma I
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Advanced
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 187 hours per semester
Number of Credits 7.5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites PSYC 205 - Research Methods I
Expected Prior Knowledge Research methods in psychology
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To become familiar with the advanced theoretical background of developmental psychology and be able to integrate major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in developmental psychology.
Course Description This course is an advanced course that is aiming to provide students more detailed knowledge on the internal and external factors that might influence child developmental outcomes, to increase students’ capacities to understand and critically evaluate research articles, and to get hands-on experience with conducting research in developmental psychology.
Course Description in Turkish Bu dersin amacı öğrencilerin insan gelişiminin doğumdan erken çocukluk döneminde kadar olan süreçteki temel fiziksel, bilişsel ve sosyal-duygusal göstergeleri konusundaki kavrayışlarını arttırmaktır. Öğrenciler ayrıca sunum ödevleri ile gelişim psikolojisi alanında yürütülen bilimsel araştırmalara da aşina olacaklardır.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the major theories in developmental psychology and the risk and protective factors for different developmental outcomes;
2) evaluate scientific articles in relation to the research methods and theories employed;
3) conduct scientific research;
4) evaluate the findings of research through the means of SPSS;
5) write research findings up in APA format;
6) write an extended abstract;
7) discuss and present the research.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. H HW,Participation,Presentation
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. H HW,Participation,Presentation,Project
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H HW,Participation,Presentation,Project
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. N
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. S Participation,Project
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. H HW,Participation,Project
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. H Participation,Project
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). H HW,Participation,Presentation
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. H Participation,Project
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S HW,Participation,Project
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. H HW,Participation,Presentation,Project
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. H HW,Presentation,Project
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,Presentation
Prepared by and Date HATİCE MELİS MÜREN , March 2022
Course Coordinator SENA CÜRE ACER
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. NAZ ŞANSAL

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction
2) Remembering the concepts of Parenting and Temperament
3) Temperament, Parenting, and Child Outcomes
4) Factors influencing parenting and child outcomes
5) Literature search and defining research topics
6) Preparing research proposal outline/ Preparing for data collection
7) Preparing research questionnaire forms
8) Presentations on research proposal
9) Data collection and re-familiarization with SPSS
10) Data collection and re-familiarization with SPSS
11) Data collection and data entry to SPSS
12) Writing up the results section
13) Poster preparation
14) Writing up the abstract
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsThere are a set of required readings and videos.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught based on the flipped format. Every week students will be assigned different empirical articles and/or research tasks to ease their understanding of the main concepts in conducting research in developmental psychology. Also, each week students will learn to advance their literature reviewing skills as well as coding and analyzing in SPSS. Their understanding and progress will be assessed via in-class discussions. Students will be asked to come to class prepared in order to actively participate and contribute class discussions. As the instructor, I commit to prepare updated high-quality learning materials that are appropriate for fourth year students.
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to read the assigned articles/book chapters for each week before coming to class. They will be asked to conduct a comprehensive literature search to find and justify a novel research question in developmental psychology. They will be asked to prepare a research proposal explaining the importance and novelty of this topic using the previous literature. They will also be asked to present their proposal, receive feedback from other students for their proposal and revise the proposal as necessary. Students are expected to prepare questionnaires and collect data for their research question. This will require the students to select the appropriate measurement tools (e.g., questionnaires) to collect data; find participants; and follow all ethical guidelines while collecting data with children and their families. Students will be expected to enter data to SPSS and analyze the data. Students will be expected to write a results section (in APA style) about the results their analysis of the data. Students will be expected to write an APA style extended abstract. The students will be asked to prepare a poster and present the poster to fellow students.
Laboratory WorkStudents will use the lab SPSS facilities to enter and analyse the data they have collected as well as to do literature review for their empirical paper.
Computer UseStudents will use the lab SPSS facilities to enter and analyse the data they have collected as well as to do literature review for their empirical paper.
Other ActivitiesClassroom discussions based on each week’s article/chapter and/or task
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 1 % 10
Application 2 % 25
Presentation 1 % 20
Paper Submission 3 % 45
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration murenm@mef.edu.tr

Students are required to attend to all the classes and to participate in class discussions. Students should provide a legitimate excuse for missing any scheduled exam or presentation. The format of the make-up exams might differ from midterm or final exam. Students are expected to behave in a respectful manner at all times. Any commitment of cheating, lying and deceit in any form such as plagiarism or coping during exams is considered dishonest and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 15 1 3 3 105
Laboratory 4 0 2 8
Presentations / Seminar 1 16 2 4 22
Homework Assignments 2 8 2 6 32
Paper Submission 2 8 2 20
Total Workload 187
Total Workload/25 7.5
ECTS 7.5