This certificate program provides a comprehensive opportunity to document learning about quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology. The research methods that can be applied in various fields such as business, nursing, education, and other disciplines. Students in this certificate program will conduct original empirical research and receive hands-on training in a broad range of skills that are highly valuable for advanced studies in psychology graduate programs. The skills acquired in this program also are beneficial in many work environments that involve analyses of human thought and behaviour. The program fits readily into the BA, BSc, or BACS degrees with a major or honours in psychology. The program may also be of interest to individuals who are majoring in another subject area, such as in education, and would like to add the research background. The certificate is only open to students currently in a degree program, and is awarded only in conjunction with a degree.
As part of the certificate, students will create their own research portfolio, summarizing the students’ skills and abilities. The portfolio can be presented to potential employers or graduate schools as evidence of research competence. The portfolio will include a checklist of quantitative and qualitative analytic tools that the student is able to use, a certificate confirming familiarity with the ethical conduct of research from the Tri-Council Policy Statement, and samples of the student’s presentations, writing and analysis. The requirements of the certificate program include coursework, the Tri-Council research ethics certificate, evidence of the ability to perform and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, at least three research presentations, and an original piece of research.
The Quantitative and Qualitative Psychology Research Methods Committee (QQPRMC) will oversee the certificate, approve proposals to meet certificate requirements, and vet candidates for the certificate prior to convocation.
1. A CBU Degree
The certificate can only be awarded in conjunction with an existing degree at CBU.
2. Coursework.
The certificate program requires the following 18 credits, at least half of which must be completed at CBU:
- 3 credits – PSYC 1101: Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science
- 3 credits – PSYC 1103: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science
- 3 credits – PSYC 2101: Data Analysis
- 3 credits – PSYC 2111: Research Methods in Psychology
- 3 credits – PSYC 3101: Research Practicum in Psychology
- 3 credits – PSYC 3103: Qualitative Methods in Psychology
3. Original Research Requirement
In addition, the certificate requires the student to demonstrate the ability to contribute to original research. Original research means influencing the intellectual direction of a project that builds on past knowledge in a novel way. The requirement to contribute to original research can be met in one of three ways.
- This requirement can be met by successfully completing PSYC 4900: Honours Seminar and Thesis (6 credits).
- In exceptional circumstances, and with the prior approval from the QQPRMC, the student may demonstrate the ability to do original research as part of PSYC 4800 or 4801 (Directed Study, 3 or 6 credits)
- In exceptional circumstances a student can demonstrate the capacity to do original research through paid or volunteer work as a research assistant, for a minimum of 120 hours. The contribution of the student to the research project must be over-and-above the routine application of a method or analysis of results. The student’s contribution must be deemed original research, as defined above, by the QQPRMC.
4. Research Ethics Requirement.
The tri-council policy on research ethics outlines the core requirements for research ethics in Canada. The council provides an online tutorial to familiarize researchers with standards of research ethics. Students must successfully complete the tutorial and present the resulting certificate as part of their research portfolio.
5. Quantitative Data Analysis Requirement.
Students must demonstrate the ability to analyze quantitative data using appropriate software (e.g., SPSS). This requirement may be met by including in the portfolio a test of data analytic ability that covers randomized, repeated measures and mixed model one-way and two-way ANOVA (including appropriate post hoc tests of means), correlation and multiple regression analysis, and factor analysis. The Research Practicum course (PSYC 3101) normally will conduct testing appropriate to meet this requirement. To qualify for the certificate, students must receive a mark of at least 90% on such testing. A student may take the test more than once if necessary.
6. Qualitative Data Analysis Requirement.
Students must demonstrate the ability to apply a set of systematic inductive methods for conducting qualitative research aimed toward theory development, and the ability to conduct interviews. This requirement may be met through submission of their analysis section for the group project assigned in Qualitative Methods (PSYC3103), as well as a transcript of an interview they conducted. Submissions must receive a grade of 80% or better in order to qualify for the certificate.
7. Research Presentation Requirement
Students must have experience with presenting research in a public forum at least three (3) times. The research presentations may be oral or in writing. This provision will be interpreted in light of the opportunities available to present research. For an oral or poster presentation to satisfy this requirement, the student must be the actual presenter or copresenter.
Examples of qualifying research presentations include:
- submitting a paper for publication in a journal or edited book with the student named as an author,
- presenting a paper or poster at CBU Research Week,
- presenting a paper as part of the CBU summer research series,
- presenting at a regional conference such as the annual Science Atlantic Psychology Undergraduate Conference,
- presenting a paper or a poster at a national conference such as Canadian Psychological Association,
- presenting a paper or a poster at an international conference,
- a media interview related to the student’s research findings, including interviews by a television, radio or print journalist, publically accessible blogs and other presentations on the internet. Presenting a summary of the student’s original research on the department web site will meet this requirement.
- A student’s presentation of her or his thesis project as part of the honours thesis course will satisfy this requirement only once, two other presentations also are required.
- Presenting as part of a course will not satisfy this requirement, unless that presentation was open to the public (not just to member of the class).
- Other research presentations approved by the QQPRMC.
The three research presentations normally will be drawn from three different categories named above.
Notes:
- The certificate will be adjudicated by the six-member Quantitative and Qualitative Psychology Research Methods Committee (QQPRMC). The QQPRMC will be established annually by the Dept. of Psychology. The committee will consist of four faculty members of the Department. Two external representatives will include a CBU faculty member with expertise in quantitative methods and a CBU faculty member with expertise in qualitative methods, drawn from other disciplines at CBU.
- For this certificate, the Directed Study or Thesis must centre on original empirical research conducted by the student. Faculty advisors serve as mentors in the research process and students are expected to contribute in a meaningful way to the direction of the research.
- Students who use PSYC 4900 as part of the certificate will have presented both a research proposal and a completed thesis to the Department of Psychology.
- If the Directed Study course (PSYC 4800) or work experience is proposed in lieu of the honours thesis, the student must present a proposal to the QQPRMC prior to undertaking the research. The committee will establish the conditions to be met to receive this certificate. The student and research advisor(s) may request a meeting with the QQPRMC to develop a plan for the research project. Additional meetings also may be required.
- In exceptional circumstances, special permission may be given by the QQPRMC to use relevant volunteer or paid research assistant work to replace the thesis (PSYC4900) or Directed Study (PSYC 4800) courses, if that work meets the condition of original research. Special permission may also be requested to waive the condition of prior approval or research projects. In these exceptional cases, students must meet with the QQPRMC to discuss the plans for earning the certificate.
- The candidate will compile a research portfolio for adjudication by the QQPRMC no later than April 15 for convocation in May, or September 15 for fall convocation. The research portfolio should explain the research skills acquired during the course work and provide evidence these abilities were mastered in a format recommended by the QQPRMC. The candidate will also provide a support letter from his or her thesis or directed study supervisor. The committee will decide whether or not the quality of the research portfolio meets the expectations before awarding the certificate.
- Detailed information on the certificate program and the contents of the research portfolio is available from the Department of Psychology, through the department chair. A checklist and recommended format for the research portfolio is provided on the CBU psychology website (coming soon).
- The certificate signals a recipient’s special competence in mixed methods research in psychology. Thus, the following special grade standard will apply. Average grade of 75% or higher across PSYC 2101, 2111, 3101, and 3103. Courses that are transferred from another institution will contribute to the calculation of the average grade.
