Course Syllabus
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| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2023 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines | Psychology |
| Research Mentor: |
Suman Ambwani (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Research Director: |
Tina Mangieri - tma@disstockholm.se |
| Senior Research Manager: |
Jeanette Erbo Wern - jwe@dis.dk |
| Academic Support: | |
| Time & Place: |
See "Course Summary" below |
Research Project Description
Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Although the factors that heighten risk and maintain eating disorder symptoms are multifaceted, the current research explores two particularly salient psychosocial factors: dieting behavior and (disrupted) social relationships. Past research indicates that dieting is an important risk-factor for the development of eating disorders. Whereas traditional diets appear to have recently reduced in popularity, there has been a burgeoning of dietary strategies marketed as healthy, pure, and “clean” with a purported emphasis on wellness rather than weight loss per se. However, the true impact of these diets and the broader wellness industrial complex remains poorly understood and requires further study. Thus, one research assistant would have the opportunity to assist with the development of a new research project exploring contemporary dieting behavior and the boundaries between illness and wellness. The other research assistant would be able to assist with data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings from a recently completed 5-year randomized clinical trial for anorexia nervosa led by collaborators at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London. In this intervention, patients admitted to intensive treatment for anorexia nervosa and their caregivers were randomized to receive additional guidance and support as they transitioned out of treatment. As the trial has now been completed, there are many opportunities to explore potential mediators and moderators of treatment outcomes, with particular attention directed toward elements of social connection and their role in the recovery process.
Learning Objectives
The primary objective is for you to experience the world of research and gain skills that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the term, you will grasp the complexities of the research project and have made your own contribution to the project. You will have learned to communicate ideas and findings, both orally and in writing, to colleagues within your particular discipline, as well as peers from other disciplines.
Project-Specific Objectives Include:
By the end of this research assistantship, students should be able to demonstrate:
1. An enhanced ability to critically evaluate and synthesize research literature on eating disorders.
2. A better understanding of research methods in clinical psychology, particularly systematic reviews and clinical trials.
3. Strong scientific communication skills, both orally and in writing.
Research Mentors
Research Mentor Bio:
PhD (Psychology, Texas A&M University, 2008, Clinical Psychology Internship, Medical University of South Carolina, 2007-2008). MS (Psychology, Texas A&M University, 2005). BA (Psychology, Sociology, Macalester College, 2003). Previously an associate professor of psychology at Dickinson College, visiting researcher at King’s College London, and visiting scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research broadly examines factors associated with the development and maintenance of eating disorders, particularly cultural features (such as fat-shaming environments and pseudoscientific diet fads) and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. She is also a co-investigator on two UK multisite randomized clinical trials investigating guided self-help for anorexia nervosa. With DIS since 2022.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Research Assistant
You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the project. The workload may vary over the semester.
As research assistant, you will engage in all of the following:
- Participate in weekly meetings with the research team.
- Participate in a research orientation at the beginning of the semester.
- Participate in two research workshops during the semester.
- Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
- Keep a research journal describing the activities of the week, and outlining goals for the following week, to be shared with the research team during weekly meetings.
- Conduct literature research and present findings both in journal clubs and in writing as needed.
- Conduct data analyses as needed.
- Contribute to conference/manuscript drafting, editing, and revision as needed.
- Present the research to peer(s) from other disciplines at the End of Semester Showcase.
Readings
The readings will be agreed upon with the Research Mentor at the beginning of the semester - the exact content will differ depending on your background. You will receive guidance concerning the basics of relevant concepts, study designs, methods of analysis, etc.
Evaluation and Grading
All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation, and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor.
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Literature review & project outline |
10% |
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Final Paper |
60% |
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Presentation at DIS Festival |
10% |
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Participation* 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival 10% of grade comprises attendance, preparation, and active participation in weekly lab meetings. |
20% |
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TOTAL |
100% |
Research Orientation & Workshops
Days and times are available in the Course Summary, below.
Approach to Mentoring
All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper - level than what is typical in the classroom. However, mentoring also comes with some degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to expect. The research mentor will work closely with you throughout the semester, but part of the training is also for you to use your own judgement, to make assessments and decisions. As part of planning your tasks and responsibilities for the semester together, the research mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.
Expectations of the Research Assistant
The specific expectations of the individual research assistant are agreed upon at the beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative, take ownership of the project and work independently. You must also be prepared for meetings and be willing to part take in relevant discussions. In cases where more research assistants are involved in the same project, you will be expected to engage in some teamwork. Carrying out a research project is not a straightforward and predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating about problems or issues that arise.
Data
The data sets are register based, on individual level, anonymized or pseudo-anonymized. If needed, the format can be adapted to the any prior knowledge of software the student might have. The project is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency 2016-41-4961, which is the approval needed for purely register based research in Denmark.
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Academic Support in Copenhagen (acadsupp@dis.dk). In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations. on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Summary:
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