Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
17PSY 464Research Methods in Traffic Psychology3+0+03510.10.2023

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Psychology (English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course Aim of this course is teaching the different research designs with several reseach methods.
Course Content This course provides an overview to different research designs via several different research methods with an emphasis on procedures and practical issues. Topics of this course include research designs related to traffic psychology from beginning (getting research ideas) to the end step (publishing) via experimental methods, field observations, surveys, assessing the individual driver via different methods, and simulation based methods. It is also important to discuss limitations of different methods and data. By the end of course, it is expected that students gain critical perspective about strong and weak sides of different methods that are used in studies and propose detailed research design by using emphasized methods.
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. Özlem Ersan
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
Course Notes Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 20
Quizzes 1 % 40
Attendance 14 % 10
Project 1 % 30
Total
17
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 2 28
Presentation 1 30 30
Mid-terms 1 20 20
Project 1 25 25
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 4,83333333333333 145

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Identify basic concepts and research methods in traffic psychology .
2 Match theoretical and practical knowledge about the processes of research design in traffic psychology via literature reviewing.
3 Increase their awareness about traffic related problems and develop scientific strategies including applicable solutions for traffic safety.
4 Develop a critical perspective about the importance of using right tools according to their research question through course activities.
5 Review the literature by focusing research question, theoretical basis and methodology relevant to variables in the study.
6 Improve their writing, presentation, and discussion skills in terms of methodology related to Traffic and Transportation Psychology (e.g. comparing different methods)

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 General Introduction for course description Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
2 Introduction to Traffic Psychology and Overview of the Course Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
3 National (Turkish) and International Accident Statistics, Sources of Statistics And Their Limitations Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
4 Method I: Surveys • How road user behavior surveys are designed? Introducing Qualtrics Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
5 Method II: Experimental Methods • Conducting an experiment in laboratory setting Conducting an experiment in field Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
6 Method III: Field Observations • Road-side observations • Observation protocols Seat-belt and speeding observations in METU Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
7 Method IV: The Individual Driver Assessment Methods • Psychotechnical Assessment Systems in Turkey and Other Countries Comparison of different assessment systems based on the individual driver characterictics Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website.
8 Method V: Simulation based Methods • Driving Simulators Conducting a scenario by using simulator in Traffic Research and Human Factor Laboratory Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
9 Midterm Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
10 Analysis: Controlling exposure, main statistical techniques for safety research, limitations/problems in analysis Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
11 General overview for methods Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
12 Short presentations of group projects Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
13 Feedback from mentors for designing a Project-1 Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
14 Feedback from mentors for designing a Project-2 Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website
15 Review of the semester Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website.
16 Poster Presentations Each week at least two of articles will be uploaded on course website

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
All 4 5 4 2 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5
C1 4 5 4 2 5 4 5 4 5 4 5 4
C2 5 4 5 2 4 5 5 5 4 5 4 5
C3 4 5 4 2 4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5
C4 4 5 5 2 4 5 4 5 4 5 5 4
C5 5 5 4 2 4 5 4 5 5 5 5 5
C6 4 5 4 2 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
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