Program Learning Outcome 2: Scholarly Research
Scholarly Research (PLO 2): Graduates will evaluate scholarly literature and research and conduct their own scholarly research and writing in the context of psychodynamic, neurobiological, and trauma-informed perspectives and psychotherapy in infant, child, adolescent development, their families, and their mental health. Graduates will:
2a. Conduct scholarly literature searches, review, and critique literature and research.
2b. Compose scholarly oral and written communication and convey ideas, concepts, designs, and methods applying current APA style guidelines and format.
2c. Design and complete scholarly work that contributes to the field.
Below are all courses that meet PLO 2.
PSY-700 Foundations for Doctoral Studies (2.0 units)
The Foundations for Doctoral Studies course serves as a transitional support for students into the doctoral program. Students will develop strategies for successfully transitioning to the RDGS doctoral program and will acquire skills that will contribute to a strong academic foundation from coursework to the successful completion of the dissertation. The course includes an overview of library resources including learning technical skills to access electronic data bases. Also highlighted will be an overview of the hybrid online learning approach in the program, and expectations for student performance as outlined in course rubrics. Students will design a course management strategy, develop skills contributing to scholarly writing, and complete a dissertation proposal planning guide.
PSY-702 Qualitative & Quantitative Methods in Psychodynamic Research Designs (3.0 units)
The Research Methods Course will introduce students to the scientific methods behind psychological research. This course prepares students to review how research in the field of psychology is organized, carried out, and evaluated. Qualitative research methods include case studies, focus groups and interviewing, triangulation, grounded theory, conversation and discourse analysis, phenomenology, hermeneutics, ethnography, and narrative analysis. In addition, this course examines quantitative research designs including experimental design and statistical analyses, evaluating the efficiency of variety of research projects, types of test related reliability, validity, experimental control, sampling, and repeated measures. This course will require students to think critically to evaluate inferential statistics and to become an educated consumer of the published research literature involving clinical psychology and psychotherapy practice.
PSY-704 Scholarly Writing Seminar (2.0 units)
The purpose of the Writing Seminar is to develop scholarly writing and research skills using APA (6th ed.) style. Students will practice writing as an ongoing process that involves drafting, revising, and getting feedback from readers. Students will define a problem or question to investigate and formulate a response by planning the stages of a writing project and applying critical thinking skills, including writing with clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, and logic. Writing will be APA (6th ed.) formatted and will follow accurate mechanics of writing including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students will use library resources and electronic data bases with specific attention to citing resources and avoiding plagiarism.
PSY-706 Critical Analysis - Contemporary Research (3.0 units)
This course will focus on the critical examination of contemporary research in the psychodynamic and neurobiological bases of developmental psychology and child and adolescent treatment. Students will consider research papers and dissertations, and will identify the rationale, logic, purpose, and methods of the research studies with a critical mind and scholarly intention to evaluate techniques and biases. Students will explore research ethics, culturally diverse aspects, moral and ethical issues as they apply to suitable methods for their future research. As students are transitioning from being a student to a scholarly researcher, they will deepen their recognition of scholarly integrity, and diverse philosophical underpinnings to be applied to developing their research dissertation project, including topic and literature review.
PSY-708 Practical Research Design (2.0 units)
Students will apply their analysis and learnings of contemporary research to the development of their research design. Students will gain practical skills during the course as they design their research dissertation project with a focus on the literature review.
PSY-741 Dissertation Development I (3.0 units)
Students will learn the structural organization of their Dissertation Introduction Chapter 1: develop dissertation topic, identify the research problem, and explore overall research design. While formulating a Research Problem and Purpose Statement, students will continue developing and contextualizing the Research Question. In a group forum, students will discuss the preliminary survey of their Literature Research while demonstrating thoughtful, and reflective scholarly attitude. While reviewing ethical considerations, students will complete the certificate course of Protecting Human Research Participants. In the process of transitioning to a scholarly researcher, students will learn administrative protocols, review guidelines stated in the Dissertation Handbook, and become familiar with the documentation requirements related to Dissertation process. Students will utilize their Dissertation Journal notes and journal entries throughout the third year as developed within other courses.
PSY-743 Dissertation Development II (3.0 units)
Students will conduct in-depth literature search. They will develop organizational strategies to manage literary resources. They will become familiar with authorities in their field of research, begin writing a comprehensive Review of Literature consistently using APA (6th ed.) writing style. Students will develop main themes and subtopics, systematically linking contents to the Research Question. Students will assess how the methodology will support the research design. Students will practice oral presentations during this course advancing their skills in leading discussions about their scholarly research. Students will form their Dissertation Committee.
PSY-745 Dissertation Development III (3.0 units)
Students will acquire practical knowledge of various methods used in psychological research studies. In Group Forums, students will discuss the relationship between methodology and a research problem and how various methods address research questions. Students will reflectively assess and critically review their research design while applying ethical and legal considerations. During the course, students will become familiar with data collection instruments such as surveys, questionnaires, types of interviews, and work on their own measurement tools for data collection.
PSY-747 Dissertation Development IV (3.0 units)
Student will integrate various research components, reflectively assess, and critically review their research design while applying ethical and legal considerations. Students will complete the Dissertation Proposal (the first three Chapters of the Dissertation: Chapter I: Introduction, Chapter II: Literature Review, and Chapter III: Research Methods) for submission to their Dissertation Committee. Students are required to demonstrate commitment and self-initiative working towards completing their Proposal Draft. Students will consult with the Dissertation Committee to prepare for the IRB review. In a Group Forum, students will discuss feedback and practice consulting with Dissertation Committee to prepare for transitioning from course work, to Dissertation Development V-VII. Students will differentiate Course Evaluation Rubrics from their Committee’s Evaluation Rubric.
PSY-749A Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
During this course, students will carry out data collection protocols using their proposed Research Method. Students will work with their Dissertation Committee to adequately adjust any unforeseen circumstances arise and inform the IRB if needed. Students will learn organization strategies to create systematic data presentation techniques such as tables and diagrams. Students will write Chapter 4 presenting the Results, Data Collection process, Themes, Data Analysis Protocols, and share how they resolved any challenges in the data collection process.
PSY-749B Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
The purpose of this course is to support students with the Analysis and Discussion of their research. Students will individually present their work, lead discussions, and critically assess their own process. In a Group Forum, students will consider and integrate multidimensional aspects of their research.
PSY-749C Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
During this course, while students synthesize, analyze and integrate research themes, they will formulate, write, and finalize the Conclusion of their research study. Students will learn to assimilate arguments and link Conclusion to Findings and Discussions. Working with their Committee, students will work towards receiving the approval of Chapters 4 and 5 of their Dissertation.
PSY-749D Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
Students will review, evaluate, and edit their entire research study for coherence, veracity, consistency, and how themes are linked. The course will provide support as students will assess and discuss the meaning of their interpretations and conclusions. Students will compose the Research Abstract and prepare their Dissertation Document for committee’s Final Review. Upon approval, students will finish any remaining editing, formatting and APA (6th ed.) style editing requirements. Students will prepare for the Oral Defense. Meetings will provide opportunities to practice oral presentation and thoughtfully respond to questions. Students will learn the protocols involved in Oral Defense such as maintaining scholarly attitude while responding to potentially challenging questions. Students will schedule and present their Oral Defense.
2a. Conduct scholarly literature searches, review, and critique literature and research.
2b. Compose scholarly oral and written communication and convey ideas, concepts, designs, and methods applying current APA style guidelines and format.
2c. Design and complete scholarly work that contributes to the field.
Below are all courses that meet PLO 2.
PSY-700 Foundations for Doctoral Studies (2.0 units)
The Foundations for Doctoral Studies course serves as a transitional support for students into the doctoral program. Students will develop strategies for successfully transitioning to the RDGS doctoral program and will acquire skills that will contribute to a strong academic foundation from coursework to the successful completion of the dissertation. The course includes an overview of library resources including learning technical skills to access electronic data bases. Also highlighted will be an overview of the hybrid online learning approach in the program, and expectations for student performance as outlined in course rubrics. Students will design a course management strategy, develop skills contributing to scholarly writing, and complete a dissertation proposal planning guide.
PSY-702 Qualitative & Quantitative Methods in Psychodynamic Research Designs (3.0 units)
The Research Methods Course will introduce students to the scientific methods behind psychological research. This course prepares students to review how research in the field of psychology is organized, carried out, and evaluated. Qualitative research methods include case studies, focus groups and interviewing, triangulation, grounded theory, conversation and discourse analysis, phenomenology, hermeneutics, ethnography, and narrative analysis. In addition, this course examines quantitative research designs including experimental design and statistical analyses, evaluating the efficiency of variety of research projects, types of test related reliability, validity, experimental control, sampling, and repeated measures. This course will require students to think critically to evaluate inferential statistics and to become an educated consumer of the published research literature involving clinical psychology and psychotherapy practice.
PSY-704 Scholarly Writing Seminar (2.0 units)
The purpose of the Writing Seminar is to develop scholarly writing and research skills using APA (6th ed.) style. Students will practice writing as an ongoing process that involves drafting, revising, and getting feedback from readers. Students will define a problem or question to investigate and formulate a response by planning the stages of a writing project and applying critical thinking skills, including writing with clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, and logic. Writing will be APA (6th ed.) formatted and will follow accurate mechanics of writing including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students will use library resources and electronic data bases with specific attention to citing resources and avoiding plagiarism.
PSY-706 Critical Analysis - Contemporary Research (3.0 units)
This course will focus on the critical examination of contemporary research in the psychodynamic and neurobiological bases of developmental psychology and child and adolescent treatment. Students will consider research papers and dissertations, and will identify the rationale, logic, purpose, and methods of the research studies with a critical mind and scholarly intention to evaluate techniques and biases. Students will explore research ethics, culturally diverse aspects, moral and ethical issues as they apply to suitable methods for their future research. As students are transitioning from being a student to a scholarly researcher, they will deepen their recognition of scholarly integrity, and diverse philosophical underpinnings to be applied to developing their research dissertation project, including topic and literature review.
PSY-708 Practical Research Design (2.0 units)
Students will apply their analysis and learnings of contemporary research to the development of their research design. Students will gain practical skills during the course as they design their research dissertation project with a focus on the literature review.
PSY-741 Dissertation Development I (3.0 units)
Students will learn the structural organization of their Dissertation Introduction Chapter 1: develop dissertation topic, identify the research problem, and explore overall research design. While formulating a Research Problem and Purpose Statement, students will continue developing and contextualizing the Research Question. In a group forum, students will discuss the preliminary survey of their Literature Research while demonstrating thoughtful, and reflective scholarly attitude. While reviewing ethical considerations, students will complete the certificate course of Protecting Human Research Participants. In the process of transitioning to a scholarly researcher, students will learn administrative protocols, review guidelines stated in the Dissertation Handbook, and become familiar with the documentation requirements related to Dissertation process. Students will utilize their Dissertation Journal notes and journal entries throughout the third year as developed within other courses.
PSY-743 Dissertation Development II (3.0 units)
Students will conduct in-depth literature search. They will develop organizational strategies to manage literary resources. They will become familiar with authorities in their field of research, begin writing a comprehensive Review of Literature consistently using APA (6th ed.) writing style. Students will develop main themes and subtopics, systematically linking contents to the Research Question. Students will assess how the methodology will support the research design. Students will practice oral presentations during this course advancing their skills in leading discussions about their scholarly research. Students will form their Dissertation Committee.
PSY-745 Dissertation Development III (3.0 units)
Students will acquire practical knowledge of various methods used in psychological research studies. In Group Forums, students will discuss the relationship between methodology and a research problem and how various methods address research questions. Students will reflectively assess and critically review their research design while applying ethical and legal considerations. During the course, students will become familiar with data collection instruments such as surveys, questionnaires, types of interviews, and work on their own measurement tools for data collection.
PSY-747 Dissertation Development IV (3.0 units)
Student will integrate various research components, reflectively assess, and critically review their research design while applying ethical and legal considerations. Students will complete the Dissertation Proposal (the first three Chapters of the Dissertation: Chapter I: Introduction, Chapter II: Literature Review, and Chapter III: Research Methods) for submission to their Dissertation Committee. Students are required to demonstrate commitment and self-initiative working towards completing their Proposal Draft. Students will consult with the Dissertation Committee to prepare for the IRB review. In a Group Forum, students will discuss feedback and practice consulting with Dissertation Committee to prepare for transitioning from course work, to Dissertation Development V-VII. Students will differentiate Course Evaluation Rubrics from their Committee’s Evaluation Rubric.
PSY-749A Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
During this course, students will carry out data collection protocols using their proposed Research Method. Students will work with their Dissertation Committee to adequately adjust any unforeseen circumstances arise and inform the IRB if needed. Students will learn organization strategies to create systematic data presentation techniques such as tables and diagrams. Students will write Chapter 4 presenting the Results, Data Collection process, Themes, Data Analysis Protocols, and share how they resolved any challenges in the data collection process.
PSY-749B Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
The purpose of this course is to support students with the Analysis and Discussion of their research. Students will individually present their work, lead discussions, and critically assess their own process. In a Group Forum, students will consider and integrate multidimensional aspects of their research.
PSY-749C Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
During this course, while students synthesize, analyze and integrate research themes, they will formulate, write, and finalize the Conclusion of their research study. Students will learn to assimilate arguments and link Conclusion to Findings and Discussions. Working with their Committee, students will work towards receiving the approval of Chapters 4 and 5 of their Dissertation.
PSY-749D Dissertation Completion (2.0 units)
Students will review, evaluate, and edit their entire research study for coherence, veracity, consistency, and how themes are linked. The course will provide support as students will assess and discuss the meaning of their interpretations and conclusions. Students will compose the Research Abstract and prepare their Dissertation Document for committee’s Final Review. Upon approval, students will finish any remaining editing, formatting and APA (6th ed.) style editing requirements. Students will prepare for the Oral Defense. Meetings will provide opportunities to practice oral presentation and thoughtfully respond to questions. Students will learn the protocols involved in Oral Defense such as maintaining scholarly attitude while responding to potentially challenging questions. Students will schedule and present their Oral Defense.
