Research Seminar "Cognitive Sciences"

2021/2022

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

8

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

School of Psychology

Course type:

Elective course

When:

2 year, 1-3 module

Instructors

Panidi, Ksenia

Pokhoday, Mikhail

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The present program establishes minimum demands of students’ knowledge and skills, and determines content of the course. The present syllabus is aimed at department teaching the course, their teaching assistants, and students of the Master of Science program 37.04.01 «Cognitive sciences and technologies: from neuron to cognition».

Learning Objectives

• Know information for career design
• This course aims to teach students fundamental steps of the scientific method with practical applications that the students can use with their own thesis topics. For example, writing an abstract about their thesis topic, developing their data analyses plan and preparing a presentation for the thesis project. This course will offer students the opportunity to study how research examines how the mind works. This endeavour requires knowledge drawn from multiple perspectives. The lecturer will employ perspectives from psychology and neuroscience to explore the nature of mental processes. Students will have the opportunity to discuss how their own thesis project can contribute to the literature.
• Discuss logic, probability, and statistics to understand their relation with students' research projects.
• Research methods and experimental design are fundamental aspects for properly prepared scientific projects focusing on practical aspects. The lecturer will present on hypotheses development, various methodologies and tools used to answer different questions in cognitive science and psychological meta-subjective task analyses.
• Understand issues of science in society
• Lectures will focus on brain areas and related functional properties. Students will engage in practical activities that target cortical and sub-cortical regions. Practical activities will include historical understanding and current findings related to specific brain areas.
• The lecturer will overview fundamental practices in data collection, highlight the importance of hypothesis appropriate statistical analyses and introduce tools for analyzing data.
• Knowledge translation is key for communicating research findings. Academic writing may vary from short abstracts to long monographs. The lecturer will present on various writing techniques and give tips for academic writing focusing on research reports for peer-reviewed scientific journals. Practical activities will include preparing text for knowledge translation such as writing conference abstract.
• The last weeks of this course will focus on skills and techniques for orally presenting scientific findings. The lecturer will overview the dos and don'ts of poster and paper oral presentations.
• The aim is to help students choose a supervisor, a laboratory, better variant for research project and methods
• At the second year students will develop interdisciplinary thinking by studying behavioural economics (1 module), social cognition, executive functions, consciousness (2 module). Behavioral Economics (broadly defined) combines knowledge from several disciplines, such as Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Neuroscience. Students will learn how theories of human behavior are formalized, described and experimentally tested in Economic science. Second, the module is focused on understanding what is an economic experiment and how it is different from experimental practices in Psychology. Finally, the module helps to develop critical thinking with respect to the results of economic research. Students will have a chance to train their ability to be conscious readers of economic studies and integrate evidence from various sources. In the 2nd module at the 2nd year, students will also acquire skills to work and use in their research projects naturalistic stimuli, as part of behavioral and neuroscientific research.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Learn to consider and discuss current issues of empirical science: replication crisis, publication bias, and research misconduct.
• Learn to consider and discuss roles of science in society.
• Learn to consider their practical career plans before/after getting degree
• Learn to plan and work on their own research projects independently.
• Learn to present and discuss their own research projects
• Learn to understand, present and discuss results
• Students will choose a supervisor for scientific work, a laboratory, research methods.
• Students will learn about the brain by actively participating in presentations on historical and contemporary knowledge on brain areas of interest.
• Students will learn write conference abstracts, the first and subsequent paragraphs of an introduction and how to structure the content of a scientific paper.
• Students will present their own thesis projects with an oral presentation and learn how to give and receive constructive feedback on their work.
• The students will engage in discussion and activities associated how we study the brain and mental processes using the scientific method.
• The students will learn about good practices on data collection, analyses and software tools and have the opportunity to discuss practical aspects in preparing their own research projects.
• The students will think critically about experimental methodology related to their own experiment. They will complete a freely available research ethics course that covers ethical contact for research involving humans.

Course Contents

• Career design
• Multiple perspectives of cognitive science
• Logic, Probability, and Statistics
• Research methods & Experimental design
• Science in society
• Brain and cognitive function
• Introduction to EEG/MEG data analysis
• Data collection and analyses
• Academic writing I and II
• Thesis topic presentations
• Acquaintance with future research fields

Assessment Elements

• Home assignment
  1 home assignment around the end of the 1st module. Its weight in grading is 0.3. The 1st-retake of a home assignment is evaluated in the same way as the original assignment. The 2nd-retake of the assignment comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original assignment and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Essay
  1 essay around the end of the 2nd module. Its weight in grading is 0.4. The 1st-retake of the essay is evaluated in the same way as the original essay. The 2nd-retake of the essay comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original essay and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Short oral presentation
  1 short oral presentation in the 2nd module. Its weight in grading is 0.3. The 1st-retake of a presentation is evaluated in the same way as the original presentation. The 2nd-retake of the presentation comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original presentation and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Writing test
  A writing test at the end of the 3rd module; This score (Gx) will be integrated with grades of the 1st-year Research Seminar (G1) and of the 2nd-year Research Seminar (G2) as follows: 0.1*Gx + 0.504*G1 + 0.396*G2. The 1st-retake of a test is evaluated in the same way as the original assignment. The 2nd-retake of the test comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original test and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8. Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (тест по материалам курса). Экзамен проводится на платформе Zoom (https://www.zoom.us/). Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: наличие рабочей камеры и микрофона, поддержка Zoom. Для участия в экзамене студент обязан: поставить на аватар свою фотографию, явиться на экзамен согласно точному расписанию, при ответе включить камеру и микрофон. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено: выключать камеру, пользоваться конспектами и подсказками. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение связи менее минуты. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение длиной в минуту и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене.Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (тест по материалам курса). Экзамен проводится на платформе Zoom (https://www.zoom.us/). Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: наличие рабочей камеры и микрофона, поддержка Zoom. Для участия в экзамене студент обязан: поставить на аватар свою фотографию, явиться на экзамен согласно точному расписанию, при ответе включить камеру и микрофон. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено: выключать камеру, пользоваться конспектами и подсказками. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение связи менее минуты. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение длиной в минуту и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене.
• Participation - formula code Ga
  Participation scores is based the quality and quantity of answers and in-class assignments. There will be at least one in-class activity every week. In class assignments are mainly practical activities related to the students own research project. For example, writing the first paragraph of the introduction, writing a conference abstract, writing references in APA style for an article, chapter and book; preparing a peer-review evaluation; presenting on a preselected brain area; presenting on a preselected founding figure in neuroscience.
• two essays
  For each essay maximal grade can be 10. Criteria are: relevance of the content to the topic; literacy; originality and independence; ability to express one’s own position; argumentation.
• Presentation - formula code Gp
  Oral presentation associated with the students own thesis research project.
• Mid-term test- last week of Module 3 - formula code Ge
  The mid-term test/exam will be take home and the due date will be announced to the students.
• Final exam - Take home - Module 4 - formula code Gf
  Final exam given during the final week of Module 4. This is a take home exam focusing on potential impact of the student's research project in their perspective field, cognitive science and society. The due date of the final exam will be announced to the students.
• Participation
• Home assignment
  1 home assignment around the end of the 1st module. Its weight in grading is 0.3. The 1st-retake of a home assignment is evaluated in the same way as the original assignment. The 2nd-retake of the assignment comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original assignment and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Essay
  1 essay around the end of the 2nd module. Its weight in grading is 0.4. The 1st-retake of the essay is evaluated in the same way as the original essay. The 2nd-retake of the essay comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original essay and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Short oral presentation
  1 short oral presentation in the 2nd module. Its weight in grading is 0.3. The 1st-retake of a presentation is evaluated in the same way as the original presentation. The 2nd-retake of the presentation comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original presentation and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8.
• Writing test
  A writing test at the end of the 3rd module; This score (Gx) will be integrated with grades of the 1st-year Research Seminar (G1) and of the 2nd-year Research Seminar (G2) as follows: 0.1*Gx + 0.504*G1 + 0.396*G2. The 1st-retake of a test is evaluated in the same way as the original assignment. The 2nd-retake of the test comes with 20% of penalty on its score. Namely, its score is first computed in the same way as the original test and then the computed score is multiplied by 0.8. Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (тест по материалам курса). Экзамен проводится на платформе Zoom (https://www.zoom.us/). Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: наличие рабочей камеры и микрофона, поддержка Zoom. Для участия в экзамене студент обязан: поставить на аватар свою фотографию, явиться на экзамен согласно точному расписанию, при ответе включить камеру и микрофон. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено: выключать камеру, пользоваться конспектами и подсказками. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение связи менее минуты. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение длиной в минуту и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене.Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (тест по материалам курса). Экзамен проводится на платформе Zoom (https://www.zoom.us/). Компьютер студента должен удовлетворять требованиям: наличие рабочей камеры и микрофона, поддержка Zoom. Для участия в экзамене студент обязан: поставить на аватар свою фотографию, явиться на экзамен согласно точному расписанию, при ответе включить камеру и микрофон. Во время экзамена студентам запрещено: выключать камеру, пользоваться конспектами и подсказками. Кратковременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение связи менее минуты. Долговременным нарушением связи во время экзамена считается нарушение длиной в минуту и более. При долговременном нарушении связи студент не может продолжить участие в экзамене.

Interim Assessment

• 2020/2021 4th module
  G1 = 0.3*(0.3*Ga + 0.7* Ge) + 0.7*(0.2*Ga + 0.2*Ge + 0.3*Gp + 0.3*Gf )
• 2021/2022 3rd module
  0.4 * Essay + 0.3 * Home assignment + 0.3 * Short oral presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Arsalidou, M., Pascual-Leone, J., Johnson, J., Morris, D., & Taylor, M. J. (2013). A balancing act of the brain: activations and deactivations driven by cognitive load. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.F7423818
• Denes Szucs, & John P. A. Ioannidis. (2017). When Null Hypothesis Significance Testing Is Unsuitable for Research: A Reassessment. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00390/full
• Erren, T. C., & Bourne, P. E. (2007). Ten Simple Rules for a Good Poster Presentation. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.F5A2A648
• Fusar-Poli, P., Placentino, A., Carletti, F., Landi, P., Allen, P., Surguladze, S., … Politi, P. (2009). Functional atlas of emotional faces processing: a voxel-based meta-analysis of 105 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.7A7D8169
• Marie Arsalidou, Matthew Pawliw-Levac, Mahsa Sadeghi, & Juan Pascual-Leone. (2018). Brain areas associated with numbers and calculations in children: Meta-analyses of fMRI studies. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, (239–250), 239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2017.08.002
• Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Jeong-Yeon Lee, & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common Method Biases in Behavioral Research: A Critical Review of the Literature and Recommended Remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
• Reinhart, A. (2015). Statistics Done Wrong : The Woefully Complete Guide. San Francisco: No Starch Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=984483
• Satterthwaite, T. D., Elliott, M. A., Ruparel, K., Loughead, J., Prabhakaran, K., Calkins, M. E., … Gur, R. E. (2013). Neuroimaging of the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A81FED49
• Yaple, Z., & Arsalidou, M. (2018). N-back Working Memory Task: Meta-analysis of Normative fMRI Studies With Children. Child Development, 89(6), 2010–2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13080

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Lakatos, I., Feyerabend, P., & Motterlini, M. (1999). For and Against Method : Including Lakatos’s Lectures on Scientific Method and the Lakatos-Feyerabend Correspondence. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=351279
• Loevenbruck, H., Grandchamp, R., Rapin, L., Nalborczyk, L., Dohen, M., Perrier, P., … Perrone-Bertolotti, M. (2018). A cognitive neuroscience view of inner language: to predict and to hear, see, feel. France, Europe: HAL CCSD. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.59322547