Research Methods & Designs for Business Psychologists I

Master

The participants:
• know key research methods and designs in psychology.
• develop an independent, scientifically grounded research question.
• formulate hypotheses and operationalize variables.
• design a methodologically sound study design.
• critically evaluate research designs in terms of quality criteria and rigor.
• develop a complete research proposal, including an ethics application.

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This course marks the beginning of the accompanying process for writing the master’s thesis. Students are encouraged to identify a relevant research topic early on and are guided through a structured process.

• Introduction & Academic Writing (scientific thinking; development of research questions & hypotheses; linking theory and empirical research)
• Research Designs (qualitative, correlational, and experimental designs; quality criteria; internal/external validity, etc.)
• Variables & Measurement (operationalization; scales; questionnaire design; measurement error)
• Sampling & Data Collection (sampling methods; bias; data collection techniques)
• Development of a Research Proposal (literature review; hypothesis development; study design; choice of methods)
• Research Ethics (ethics applications; data protection; informed consent; ethical risks in psychological research)
• Preparation of the Master’s Thesis (proposal/exposé; study design; planning of data collection)

• Beins, B. C. (2019). Research methods: A tool for life. Cambridge; UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Privitera, G. J. (2025). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Rasch, B., Friese, M., Hofmann, W., & Naumann, E. (2021). Quantitative Methoden 1: Einführung in die Statistik für Psychologie, Sozial- & Erziehungswissenschaften. Berlin: Springer.
• Rasch, B., Friese, M., Hofmann, W., & Naumann, E. (2021). Quantitative Methoden 2: Einführung in die Statistik für Psychologie, Sozial- & Erziehungswissenschaften. Berlin: Springer.
• Sedlmeier, P., & Renkewitz, F. (2024). Forschungsmethoden und Statistik für Psychologen und Sozialwissenschaften. München: Pearson.
• Teti, D. M., Cleveland,H. H., & Rulison, K. L. (2026) (Hrsg.). Handook of research methods in developmental science. Hoboken, NJ: Johny Wiley.

Exam
Presentation

German

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The course is based on an e-learning concept that incorporates a didactically aligned combination of online and in-person phases. During the online phases, an inductive learning approach is applied, fostering the independent acquisition of knowledge and the completion of tasks. The in-person phases follow a deductive approach, in which learning processes are guided and deepened, and content is systematically delivered through lectures as well as practical examples.

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