Guide in PDF format

Research Methods in Speech Therapy

Code: 107885
Credits: 6

2026/2027

Degree programme	Type	Course
Speech therapy	FB	2

Contact lecturer

Name :: Jaume Vives Brosa
Email :: jaume.vives@uab.cat

Teaching staff

: Josep Maria Losilla Vidal

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

The student is assumed to have knowledge about the basic concepts of research methods that are taught in the subject Introduction to scientific methodology and psychological processes.

The student is not assumed to have special knowledge of mathematics except to know the basic notions of data analysis taught in the Access to University Course and/or in secondary education in the different curricula. However, it is essential to have basic user computer knowledge

Objectives

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

Understand the assumptions on which the logic of scientific research is based.
Differentiate the methodological alternatives used in speech therapy research.
Know the characteristics of the designs commonly used in speech therapy.
Appraise the research process using the main quality criteria.
Distinguish the level of measurement with which some data have been obtained, as an essential requirement for selecting properly the corresponding graphical analyses and the statistics or indices to be calculated.
Use descriptive statistical indices in order to summarize the data and correctly interpret the results obtained.
Know the basic methodological vocabulary in Catalan, Spanish and English.
Perform basic data analyses using statistical analysis software.

Learning outcomes

KM17 (Identify the ethical implications and the handling of sensitive data in the different areas of speech therapy.) Identify the ethical implications and the handling of sensitive data in the different areas of speech therapy.
SM09 (Analyse the results of a scientific study in the field of speech therapy.) Analyse the results of a scientific study in the field of speech therapy.
SM12 (Distinguish between the different evidence-based research methods and techniques based on practice in Speech Therapy and related disciplines.) Distinguish between the different evidence-based research methods and techniques based on practice in Speech Therapy and related disciplines.

1. Principles of research methodology

Quantitative and qualitative methods, designs, and techniques in speech therapy research

Evidence-based practice

2. Experimental designs

Unifactorial between-subject vs. within-subject experimental designs

Factorial experimental designs

3. Quasi-experimental designs

Experiment vs. Quasiexperiment

Pre-experimental and quasi-experimental designs

4. Single case designs

5. "Ex post facto" designs

6. Survey designs

7. Observational method, qualitative and mixed methods

8. Data processing

Structure of a data matrix

Reading and defining variable properties

Creation of variables

Case selection

9. Data analysis

Univariate statistical description

Bivariate statistical description

Learning activities and methodology

Title	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Comprehensive and critical reading of materials	36	1.44	SM12
Class lessons 1/4 group	10	0.4	SM09
Assessment. Critical reading	3	0.12	SM12
Tutorial-based training in software: data process and analysis	30	1.2	SM09
Virtual tutorials with teachers and peers	12	0.48
Class lessons 1/1 group	34.5	1.38	KM17, SM09, SM12
Review of integrated problems	5	0.2	SM09, SM12
Abstracts, diagrams and conceptual maps	11.5	0.46	KM17, SM09, SM12
Tutorship	5	0.2

On this course we propose different activities based on active learning methodologies focused on the student. In this way a \"hybrid\" approach is outlined in which we combine traditional didactic techniques with other resources aimed at encouraging meaningful learning.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title	Weight	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Evidencia 1 (Assessment 1). Written individual test. In-person. Contents: Foundations of Research methods. First assessment period.	4,5 points	1.5	0.06	KM17, SM12
Evidencia 2 (Assessment 2). Individual written test. Presencial. Contents: Data processing and analysis. Second assesment period.	5 points	1.5	0.06	KM17, SM09
Evidencia 3 (Assessment 3). Practical exercise. Individual, written, virtual. Foundations of Research methods. First assessment period.	0,5 points	0	0	SM12

Below, we indicate the learning tests to be taken by the students, both in the case of continuous assessment (CA) and single assessment (SA):

Evidences

Type 1

• Assessment 1 (Ev1; CA: 1st assessment period; SA: 2nd assessment period).

• Assessment 2 (Ev2; CA & SA: 2nd assessment period).

Exceptionally, students who do not attend one of these evidences (Ev1 or Ev2) due to compelling circumstances may be allowed to provide the missing evidence during the reassessment week. They must provide documentary proof of the circumstances that justify their absence, and the decision on whether they are allowed to reset the examination will be taken by the teaching team.

Type 2

• Assessment 3 (Ev3; CA: 1st assessment period; SA: 2nd assessment period). This activity is designed to set the pace of work, to consolidate concepts in a practical way and to generate doubts before taking Ev1.

Feedback

Feedback

Evidence

Week

Classroom

Ev1

Week after the 1st assessment period

Digital

Ev2

After Ev2

Classroom

Ev3

Week before 1st assessment period

Digital

After SA

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not allowed in any of the learning evidences (Ev1, Ev2, Ev3). The use of AI to complete any evidence will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

Definition of evaluable student

A student is considered evaluable when he/she has submitted evidence of learning with a weight equal to or greater than 4,0 points.

Definition of passing grade

A student has passed the course when he/she meets the following two conditions:

a) He/she has obtained a minimum score of 5,0 points.

b) In each of the type 1 evidence (Ev1, Ev2) he/she has obtained a minimum score of 4,0 points out of 10. In case of not reaching these requirements, the maximum score to be recorded on the student’s academic transcript ("actas") will be 4,5 points.

Reassessment

On the date set by the Faculty, type 1 evidences will be reassessed, by means of a theoretical-practical test of individual authorship. The following two conditions must be met for students to be eligible for reassessment:

a) Not reaching the criteria established to pass the subject, but achieving a final grade of at least 3,5 points

b) Have submittedevidence with a weight equal to or greater than 2/3 of the total grade.

The grade of the evidence reassessed will be Pass if the score is greater than or equal to 5,0 points.

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Single assessment (SA)

- Individual written test of the FDI block (Ev1; SA: 2nd assessment period).

- Individual written test of the AD block (Ev2; SA: 2nd assessment period).

- Evidence 3. Practical exercise of the FDI block (Ev3; SA: 2nd assessment period).

In the case of the SA, the Ev1 and Ev2 evidences will be done on the same day and in the same place as the evidence of the 2nd evaluation period and will have the same duration as these evidences have in the AC; first the Ev2 will be done and then the Ev1; the Ev3 will also be delivered on the same day.

-The same reassessment system will be applied as for the continuous assessment.

-The revision of the final grade follows the same procedure as for the continuous assessment.

The single assessment is requested electronically (e-form) in the specific period (more information on the faculty's website).

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** The delivery of the translation of the face-to-face assessment tests will be carried out if the requirements established in article 263 are met and your request is made in week 4 electronically (e-form) (more information on the faculty's website).

** No unique final synthesis test for students who enrole for the second time or more is anticipated.

** In this link you can check the evaluation guidelines of the Faculty of Psychology: https://www.uab.cat/doc/DOC_PautesAvaluacio_2026

Bibliography

Basic bibliography:

Portell, M. i Vives, J. (2024). Investigación en psicología y logopedia. Introducción a los diseños experimentales, cuasi-experimentales y ex post facto (2a. ed). Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Servei de Publicacions.

Losilla, J.M. & Vives, J. (2024). Análisis de datos con Jamoνi. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. https://ddd.uab.cat/record/273258

Complementary bibliography:

Babbie, E. (2000). Fundamentos de la investigación social. Thomson.

Gambara, H. (2002). Métodos de investigación en Psicología y Educación. Cuaderno de prácticas (3ª Ed.). McGraw Hill.

Hernández, R. & Mendoza, C. P. (2018). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill.

León, O. & Montero, I. (2015). Métodos de investigación en Psicología y Educación (4ª ed.). McGrawHill.

Moreno, R., Martínez, R.J. & Chacón, S. (2000). Fundamentos metodológicos en psicología y ciencias afines. Pirámide.

Shaughnessy, J.J, Zechmeister, E.B & ZechMesiter, J.S (2007). Métodos de investigación en Psicología (7a Ed.). McGraw Hill

Solanas, A., Salafranca, L., Fauquet, J. & Núñez, M.I. (2005). Estadística descriptiva en Ciencias del Comportamiento. Thomson

Software

Data analysis block: Jamovi

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching	Group	Language	Semester	Shift
(TE) Theory	1	Catalan	first semester	morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars	111	Catalan/Spanish	first semester	morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars	112	Catalan/Spanish	first semester	morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars	113	Catalan/Spanish	first semester	morning-mixed