Research methodology in cognitive science

Course objectives

The course objective is to teach students about the fundamental ideas and concepts in research methodology in cognitive science. The course will cover topics in causation, sampling, and ethics in research. In addition, the course will provide an in-depth review of the most common research methods used in various subfields of cognitive science, as well as strengths and validity threats associated with each method. By the end of the course, students will be able to choose an appropriate research method to address the research question.

Enrolment requirements and/or entry competences required for the course

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Learning outcomes at the level of the programme to which the course contributes

  • Integrate insights, methods, and levels of analysis across different disciplines into a unified framework for understanding the human mind and cognition in general.
  • Critically evaluate cognitive science findings and synthesize information to be employed in a collaborative professional environment.
  • Participate in data-driven innovation projects and apply appropriate data science tools.
  • Apply interdisciplinary approach in examining phenomena pertaining to cognition.
  • Design and conduct an interdisciplinary research project in cognitive science.
  • Employ diverse disciplinary tools in exploring and describing the nature of cognitive processes.

Course content (syllabus)

  1. Definition of science and scientific methods. Fundamentals of the philosophy of science.
  2. Research methodology in cognitive science.
  3. Causation and correlation.
  4. Between-subjects experimental design; Within-subjects experimental design.
  5. Factorial experiment; Mixed factorial experiment.
  6. Quasi-experimental research design, non-experimental research.
  7. Surveys and questionnaire design.
  8. Validity and reliability of measurement.
  9. Qualitative research methods, interviews and focus groups.
  10. Sampling.
  11. Longitudinal and cross-sectional designs.
  12. Corpus methods.
  13. Data mining.
  14. Ethics in research.
  15. Research presentation.

Student responsibilities

Class attendance.

Required literature

  • Morling, B. (2021). Research methods in psychology: evaluating a world of information. WW Norton.

Optional literature

  • Jhangiani, R., Chiang, I.-C. A., Cuttler, C., & Leighton, D. C. (2019). Research Methods in Psychology (4th ed.). Surrey, BC: Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Retrieved from https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/