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Methodology of Applied Research in Clinical and Health Psychology

Code: 43873
Credits: 9
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Research in Clinical Psychology and Health OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Eduardo Doval Diéguez
Email :
eduardo.doval@uab.cat

Teaching staff

José Blas Navarro Pastor
Albert Espelt Hernàndez

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Objectives

The objective of this module is to enable students to acquire the necessary knowledge to design an empirical or theoretical research in the field of clinical and health psychology, as well as to apply the scientific method in their professional practice.

Students learn to formulate relevant questions, to adequately define research objectives and hypotheses, and to discriminate which methods and research designs are appropriate to these objectives and hypotheses. The different sampling procedures applied in clinical and health psychology research are also reviewed, as well as the sample size calculation to assure an adequate statistical power.

It also includes skills related to the creation and adaptation of measurement instruments and their use, as well as the management, analysis and interpretation of data, and the selection, critical reading and synthesis of relevant information to carry out research and act professionally.

Finally, students learn to identify and discuss the clinical, methodological and technical implications of research, as well as its repercussions on the professional practices and on the development of the scientific knowledge.

Learning outcomes

  1. Recognise the research and topics for study in clinical psychology and health psychology which are most appropriate for research using quantitative methods.
  2. Recognise the research and topics for study in clinical psychology and health psychology which are most appropriate for research using qualitative and mixed methods.
  3. Identify relevant questions in clinical psychology and health psychology which require scientific clarification.
  4. Propose objectives, the research question and formulate hypotheses for research in clinical psychology and health psychology.
  5. Carry out a critical reading of a scientific publication on the basis of the methodological quality of the research design used and the scientific and practical relevance of the results or contributions.
  6. Design research using quantitative methodology including the preparation of a data base and the creation of the variables needed to answer the research questions.
  7. Design research using qualitative or mixed methods.
  8. Carry out a systematic review to summarise the best available scientific evidence.
  9. Prepare the data matrix, clean it and create the necessary variables to carry out a descriptive analysis of a study using a quantitative methodology.
  10. Carry out a descriptive analysis of a study using a quantitative methodology and interpret the results and present them in the form of graphs and tables.
  11. Search for information in scientific literature using appropriate channels and integrate such information to propose and contextualize a research topic.
  12. Use scientific terminology to argue the results of research in the context of scientific production, to understand and interact effectively with other professionals.
  13. Apply the outstanding ethical principles and act accordingly to the deontological code for the profession in the scientific research practic.
  14. Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
  15. Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.

Contents

  • Data management and data analysis.


  • Creation, adaptation and validation of measurement tools.


  • Research methods, designs and research techniques applied to the field of clinical and health psychology.


  • Statistical data analysis and interpretation of the results.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Tutorials 12.5 0.5
Reading of texts and articles, conceptual summaries, preparation and realization of works, personal study 167.5 6.7
Oral communications and activities in the classroom 45 1.8

This modul combines traditional teaching techniques with other resources aimed at promoting meaningful lerning.

The use of IA is permitted as a tool to facilitate study, but not for producing evidence of learning.

In weeks 9 and 14, approximately 15 minutes of the session will be allocated to the evaluation surveys of the teaching and evaluation of the module.

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
EE2. Problems resolution. Methods, dessigns and research assessment. Data management. Week 10 2 marks 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
EE3b. Written Methodology. Statistics-2. Week 14 2 marks 0 0 9, 10, 14, 15
EE1b. Written Methodology. Adaptation and validation of assessment tools-2. Week 9 2 marks 0 0 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
EE3a. Written Methodology. Statistics-1. Week 12 2 marks 0 0 9, 10, 14, 15
EE1a. Written Methodology. Adaptation and validation of assessment tools-1. Week 5 2 marks 0 0 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

The evaluation process is based on the active student-centred learning model. Five evidence of learning are available, each of one with a weight equal to 20%.

General feedback on each evidence of learning will be provided via the virtual campus (Moodle). Scheduled tutorials can be arranged for those interested in individualized feedback.

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 marks (range 0-10). On the contrary, it will be considered as “non evaluable student”.

Requirements for a passing grade

A student has passed the subject when he/she simultaneously meets the following two criteria:

a) Achieving at least 5 marks (range 0-10) in the continuous evaluation system.

b) Achieving at least 4 marks (range 0-10) in all of evidences.

Not meeting these two criteria means that a maximum grade of 4.8 marks (range 0-10) can be recorded on the student’s academic transcript.

Single evaluation

No single evaluation

Right to reassessment

Not passed evidences can be reassessed, through individual tests (week 20)

The grade achieved in reassessment replaces the grade previously obtained in the evidence of learning, with the limitation of a maximum score of 6 marks (range 0-10).

*The criteria/requirements for the assessment in the Faculty for the current academic year are available at:

https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html


Bibliography

Abad, F.J., Olea, J., Ponsoda, V., & García, C. (2011). Medición en Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud. Madrid: Síntesis.
* Electronic resurce available at: UAB Library

American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author

American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association & National Council on Measurement in Education (2014). Standards foreducational and psychological testing. Washington, DC:American Educational Research Association
* Electronic resurce available at: UAB Library

Bandalos, D.L. (2018). Measurement theory and applications for the social siencies. New York: The Guilford Press.

Electronic resurce available at: UAB Library

Beaton, D., Bombardier, C.  Guillemin, F., & Bosi M. (2007) Recommendations for the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the DASH & QuickDASH Outcome Measures. Institute for Work & Health

* Available at: http://www.dash.iwh.on.ca/sites/dash/files/downloads/cross_cultural_adaptation_2007.pdf

Cumming, G., & Jageman, C. (2016). Introduction to the new statistics. New York: Taylor & Francis

Iliescu, D. (2017) Adapting test in linguistic and cultural situations. Cambridge University Press

Martínez-Arias, R., Castellanos-López, M.A., & Chacón-Gómez, J.C. (2015). Análisis de Datos en Psicología y Ciencias de la Salud. Volumen I: Exploración de Datos y fundamentos. Madrid: EOS Universitaria.

Martínez-Arias R, Castellanos-López MA, & Chacón-Gómez JC. (2015). Análisis de Datos en Psicología y Ciencias de la Salud. Volumen II: Inferencia Estadística. Madrid: EOSUniversitaria.

Muñiz, J. (2018). Introducción a la Psicometría. Teoría clàssica y TRI. Madrid. Pirámide.

Muñiz, J., Elosua, P., & Hambleton, R.K. (2013). Directrices para la traducción y adaptación de los tests: segunda edición. Psicothema, 25, 151-157. doi: 10.7334/psicothema2013.24

Portell, M., & Vives, J. (2019). Investigación en Psicología y Logopedia. Introducción a los diseños experimentales, cuasi-experimentales y ex post facto. Servei de Publicacions de la  Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
* Available at: https://publicacions.uab.cat/llibres/fitxa_web_llibres.asp?ID=2130

Sousa, V.D., & Rojjanasrirat, W. (2011). Translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for use in cross-cultural health care research: a clear and user-friendly guideline. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 17, 268–274. doi: doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01434.x

 *Available at: https://cadeq.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/valmi_et_al2011.pdf

Wild, D., Grove, A., Martin, M., Eremenco, S., McElroy, S., Verjee-Lorenz, A., & Erikson, P. (2005). Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) Measures: Report of the ISPOR Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation. Value in Health, 8, 94-104. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2005.04054.x

*Availabe at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1098301510602525

Software

Stata: Sotware for Statistics and Data Science

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
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Spanish first semester afternoon