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Experimentation II: Neuroscientific Research Methods

Vak
2021-2022

Entry requirements

Only open to MSc Psychology (research) students

Description

In this course, students will get an introduction into various psychophysiological and brain-imaging techniques (EEG, ERP, Heart rate, fMRI), and other biological techniques subserving psychology (behavioural genetics, psychopharmacology). In the practical part of the course, they will acquire hands-on experience in collecting and analysing EEG/ERP data.This course provides the students with basic theoretical and practical neuroscientific skills as required for a research career.

Course objectives

Students acquire enough knowledge of the properties, possibilities, strengths and limitations of the most commonly used neuroscientific research methods to understand and appreciate literature in their own field that applies these methods. Students learn about and practice with the data acquisition of EEG, heart rate, and eye tracking techniques. Students learn about and practice with the data analysis of EEG.

Timetable

For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable

Registration

NOTE As of the academic year 2021-2022, you must register for all courses in uSis.
You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from early August. Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from December. The exact date on which the registration starts will be published on the website of the Student Service Center (SSC)

By registering for a course you are also automatically registered for the Brightspace module. Anyone who is not registered for a course therefore does not have access to the Brightspace module and cannot participate in the first sit of the exam of that course.
Also read the complete registration procedure

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures
4 2-hour practical assignments
2 1-hour practical assignments

For practical assignments, students are assigned to sub groups. Every student will only follow 1 heart rate training, 1 eye tracking training, 2 EEG/ERP data acquisition trainings and 2 EEG/ERP data analysis trainings. For the practical meetings, participation is mandatory.

Assessment method

The assessment is based on a written exam (40% multiple choice, 40% open questions) based on the mandatory literature and lecture slides, and a group assignment (poster presentation, 20%) about what neuroscientific research methods have to offer for the student’s field of specialisation.

The Institute of Psychology follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of this fraud policy.

Reading list

Syllabus for the master course Experimentation 2: Neuroscientific research methods. Will be available through Blackboard. Powerpoint slides for the course. Examples of other mandatory literature:

  • Amaro, E. Jr. & Barker, G.J. (2006). Study design in fMRI: Basic principles. Brain and Cognition, 60 , 220-232.

  • Fox, M D, Snyder, A Z, Vincent, J L, et al. (2005). The human brain is intrinsically organized into dynamic, anticorrelated functional networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102(27), 9673-9678. Goldberg, T.E. & Weinberger, D.R. (2004). Genes and the parsing of cognitive processes. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8, 325-335.

  • Hannula, D.E., Althoff, R.R., Warren, D.E., Riggs, L., Cohen, N.J., & Ryan, J.D. (2010). Worth a glance: using eye movements to investigate the cognitive neuroscience of memory. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 4, 166, 1-16.

  • Kadosh, R C. (2013). Using transcranial electrical stimulation to enhance cognitive functions in the typical and atypical brain. Translational Neuroscience, 4(1), 20-33.

  • Lieberman, M D. (2007). Social cognitive neuroscience: A review of core processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 259-289.

  • Lennox , B.R. (2009). The clinical experience and potential of brain imaging in patients with mental illness. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 3, 46, 1-3.

  • Poldrack, R A. (2012). The future of fmri in cognitive neuroscience. NeuroImage, 62(2), 1216-20.

  • Woodman, G.F. (2010). A brief introduction to the use of event-related potentials in studies of perception and attention. Attention, perception, & psychophysics, 72, 2031-2046.

Contact information

Dr. S. Uithol s.uithol@fsw.leidenuniv.nl