Type of course

The course is included as one of the elective courses in the masters program in psychology.

It can not be taken as a singular course.

Course content

Objectives of the course

At the end of the course, the students are expected to be able to: Knowledge:

• Understand the nature of different sectors and the kinds of needs, tasks they work with or problems they experience for which research in psychology could be useful (e.g., media, public policy, courts, law enforcement, education, health professions, community-based work).
• Describe the elements of a short report appropriate for communicating psychological research to people without psychology backgrounds.
• Explain the purpose and elements of an executive summary.
• Identify when research related to a need or desire in a self-chosen sector is effectively communicated and why.

Skills:

• How to find
  • and contact people in a sector with needs or desires that touch on psychology
  • an area of psychological research relevant for sector needs or desires
  • current and relevant research
• How to interview representatives of a sector about important or urgent needs or desires in the sector
• How to prepare a presentation that successfully communicates with visual aids (1) a summary of the sector need/desire, (2) relevant psychological research and (3) suggestions for action (if possible and justifiable)
• How to write, in APA style, a 5-page project report that (1) summarizes a sector need/desire, (2) relevant psychological research and (3) suggestions for action (if possible and justifiable)
• How to write an executive summary of the project report

Competence:

• How to identify the relevance of psychology in a wide range of fields
• How to communicate psychological research for non-psychologists in
  • an oral presentation with the help of visual aids
  • a short report written in APA style
  • an executive summary

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

A written report in APA style (ca. 10 pages total) with

• a cover page,
• a one-page executive summary (that summarizes a sector need/desire, relevant research and suggestions with possible action points),
• 5 pages of expanded content (including information about the chosen sector and its need/desire, how that need was determined, a presentation of relevant research in a language that is appropriate for the sector audience), and suggestions for action where possible and justifiable.
• a reference list.

The exam will be graded on the A-F scale.

In case of fail, re-exams will be given early in the subsequent semester.

The course has three main work requirements. The students are expected to 1) attend prepared, i.e., be present at 80% of all class gatherings and read the assigned chapters and/or articles in preparation of each session. 2) conduct an interview with someone in a sector where psychology can be of value or service. 3) give an oral presentation with visual aids that introduces a sector and its need/desire, how that was determined, relevant psychological research, and suggestions with possible action points. This will be done in an open forum where interviewees and other relevant parties are invited to attend the presentation. The presentations will be evaluated as approved/not approved. The completion of all work requirements is required before the final exam can be taken.

Recommended reading/syllabus