Students who successfully absolved this curricular unit are able to:
LO1: Conduct a qualitative literature synthesis of research.
LO2: Distinguish different types of methods while taking into account their potential and limitations.
LO3: Solve a research problem by conducting a scientific study.
LO4: Explain and distinguish different data analysis strategies and demonstrate the capacity to present research results.
LO5: Identify the steps in scientific publication and write a scientific article.

PC 1. The development of research ideas and the basics of the research process.
PC 2. Advantages and methodological limitations associated with the choice of different types of studies.
PC3. Preparation and implementation of a research study.
PC 4. Strategies of data analysis and presentation of research findings.
PC 5. Dissemination and publication process: Structure of different scientific articles, preparation, submission, and review of an article for publication, and development of scientific posters.

Students can take this course by assessment during the semester or by final exam. To pass the course under the regime of assessment during the semester, they must:
1) Present all the work required in this course (a research project carried out in groups and presented in the form of a poster and a short scientific article carried out individually summarizing the research); 2) Be present at the Theoretical-Practical classes (students may miss a maximum of 3 Theoretical-Practical classes) and at least 50% of the Laboratory Practices.
Under the regime of assessment during the semester, students will be subject to 3 forms of assessment: 1) a group assignment on a piece of research carried out during the semester presented in poster format (50%); 2) an individual paper on the research carried out during the semester, presented in the form of a short research note (45%); 3) participation in LAPSO studies (1h30 in the SPI system) (5%). Participation in LAPSO studies is voluntary and can be replaced by another assignment.
Students with a final average of 9.5 or more in all the assessments will pass.
Students who are not enrolled in the assessment during the semester may use the final exam assessment system. Under the final exam system, students must present individually the same work assignments required in the evaluation through the semester but are exempt from attending theoretical-practical classes and laboratory practices.
Students who fail the assessment in the 1st period or intend to improve their grades can keep the best evaluation scores of the work assignments carried out during the semester and will be asked to conduct a new empirical study to be agreed with the lecturer (and to be handed until the date of the exam for the 2nd period), with the submission of the research report and the oral defense on a date and time to be agreed.

LG1 | Identify and distinguish the different effects related to moderation, mediation and moderate mediation
LG2 | Update and develop knowledge about multiple linear regression to test moderation and mediation
LG3 | Apply multiple linear regression to test the different models
LG4 | Analyse and interpret statistical results
LG5 | Present the results in a thesis/paper

1. Moderation, mediation and moderated mediation
1.1. Moderated effect: interaction effect
1.2. Mediated effect: chain of effects
1.3. Moderated mediation: conditional indirect effect
1.4. Discussion of papers with Moderation, mediation and moderated mediation
2. Moderation using multiple linear regression
2.1. Main effect and interaction effect
2.2. Quantitative moderator
2.3. Dummy moderator
2.4. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
2.5. Report results in a thesis/paper
3. Mediation using multiple linear regression
3.1. Quantitative mediator
3.2. Estimate and test indirect effect by bootstrapping
3.3. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
3.4. Report results in a thesis/paper
4. Moderated mediation using multiple linear regression
4.1. Exploring the model
4.2. Test conditional indirect effects
4.3. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
4.4. Report results in a thesis/paper

Assessment during the semester includes:
1. Individual assessment - Written test (65%) - with a minimum mark of 8.5
2. Group assessment - Work (35%) - with a minimum mark of 10.

Assessment by exam includes two tasks:
1. Written test (65%) with a minimum mark of 8.5
2. An assignment (35%) handed in on the day of the exam. Minimum mark of 10.

LG1 | Identify and distinguish the different effects related to moderation, mediation and moderate mediation
LG2 | Update and develop knowledge about multiple linear regression to test moderation and mediation
LG3 | Apply multiple linear regression to test the different models
LG4 | Analyse and interpret statistical results
LG5 | Present the results in a thesis/paper

1. Moderation, mediation and moderated mediation
1.1. Moderated effect: interaction effect
1.2. Mediated effect: chain of effects
1.3. Moderated mediation: conditional indirect effect
1.4. Discussion of papers with Moderation, mediation and moderated mediation
2. Moderation using multiple linear regression
2.1. Main effect and interaction effect
2.2. Quantitative moderator
2.3. Dummy moderator
2.4. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
2.5. Report results in a thesis/paper
3. Mediation using multiple linear regression
3.1. Quantitative mediator
3.2. Estimate and test indirect effect by bootstrapping
3.3. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
3.4. Report results in a thesis/paper
4. Moderated mediation using multiple linear regression
4.1. Exploring the model
4.2. Test conditional indirect effects
4.3. Statistical software application (PROCESS in JASP and in SPSS)
4.4. Report results in a thesis/paper

Assessment during the semester includes:
1. Individual assessment - Written test (65%) - with a minimum mark of 8.5
2. Group assessment - Work (35%) - with a minimum mark of 10.

Assessment by exam includes two tasks:
1. Written test (65%) with a minimum mark of 8.5
2. An assignment (35%) handed in on the day of the exam. Minimum mark of 10.

The student that successfully completes this CU, should be capable of:
LG1. Recognize the specificity and contexts of application of qualitative research
LG2. Describe the main steps, potential, and limitations of content analysis and thematic analysis.
LG3. Analyse qualitative data by using content and thematic analysis techniques.
LG4. Identify the main functions of NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software.
LG5. Organize, manage, and code qualitative data, using NVivo.
LG6. Identify quality criteria in qualitative research and apply such criteria in the critical appraisal of scientific publications.
LG7. Produce scientific documents that describe the analysis of qualitative data.

S1. Introduction to qualitative research
1.1. Scope and perspectives in qualitative research
1.2. Quality criteria in qualitative research
S2. Techniques of analysis of qualitative data
2.1. Content analysis and thematic analysis: definition and main steps
2.2. Potential and limitations of each technique
2.3. Practical exercises
S3. Software for coding and analysis of qualitative data
3.1. Introduction, potential, and applications
3.2. Exercises with NVivo
S4. Writing and presenting results of qualitative research

Periodic evaluation: students must attend classes (3 absences accepted) and submit (1) an individual report (60%) corresponding to the methods and results sections of a manuscript; and (2) a group assignment (40%) corresponding to practical exercises using NVivo. Students who get a minimum of 9.5 are approved. A minimum of 9.5 in each continuous assessment component is required.
Final evaluation: Exam (100%).