Texts:Conducting Experiments in Psychology:
Measuring the Weight of Smoke by Brett W. Pellham
Statistics: Concepts and Controversies by David S. Moore
Course Objectives:
Increase the understanding of the scientific method, experimental paradigms,
reporting of results and interpretation of findings.
Make students better consumers and increase their ability to think critically
about research.
Attendance:
Attendance during activities or quizzes cannot be made up without prior
notification or extenuating circumstances. In case of absences, you are
responsible for all information given in class.
Graded Material:
Your grade will consist of the following:
Midterm exam (100 points)
Final exam (100points)
Quizzes (50 points)
Take home assignments (50 points)
Final paper/presentation (100 points)
Exams
The midterm and final exams will be a combination of multiple choice
and essay questions. If it is necessary for you to miss a test and you
notify the instructor beforehand, make up exams will be made available.
The make up exam will differ from the regular exam and will generally be
more difficult than the version given in class.
Quizzes
Quizzes will cover any material previously assigned or covered in class
(including reading snot explicitly discussed in class). They may occur
at any time, but will be announced during the class period immediately
prior to the quiz date. One quiz grade may be dropped.
Take home assignments
The textbook contains four methodological exercises which are designed
to familiarize the student with basic methodological principles and procedures
(e.g., random assignment, repeated measures designs, etc.) Each of these
exercises will be worth 12.5 points (total=50 points), and can be completed
individually or in pairs.
Final Project
You will be required to write one paper on a topic to be determined
later in the semester and present it orally to the class. The paper will
require a moderate amount of time in the library, as it must contain references
to original scientific research. The papers will be a maximum of 6 pages.
Grading:
The total points from the two exams, research paper/presentation, take
home assignments, and quizzes (plus the extra credit) will be totaled.
A 90-100% 360-400 points
B 80-89% 320-359 points
C 70-79% 280-319 points
D 60-69% 240-279 points
E below 60% 0-239 points
Although this grading scale will be closely followed, some exceptions
may be made. For example, if your final grade is within .1 or .2% of a
higher grade, and I feel that you have made an honest effort to learn the
course material (i.e., attended class, did well on assignments) your grade
may be rounded up.
Extra credit: maximum of 10 points available
For 5 points you may complete a typed, 1-2 page summary paper covering
a scientific journal article. Prior to completing the review, the student
is required to bring a copy of the abstract to the instructor. Once this
article is approved, the student can complete the review. The review must
include a discussion of at least 5 of the concepts covered in class. You
may also participate in ongoing research studies conducted in the USD psychology
department for 5 points.
Late Policy:
There will be a 10% deduction per class period for late assignments.
Cheating:
Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will immediately fail the
course.
CLASS SCHEDULE: The
following schedule is subject to change
DateReadingsTopic(s)
1/29/01P1,
P2 Intro.
to research and it’s history in Psych CLASS
CANCELLEDThe
process of science and research
(tenets of experimentation)
02/05/01 P1,
P2 Intro.
to research and it’s history in Psych.
The
process of science and research
(tenets
of experimentation)
02/12/01P3 Measurement
Issues
M1
(pgs. 3-14) Where
do data come from?
M8
(pgs. 126-140)Measuring
02/19/01
No class: Presidents Day
02/26/01P4 Threats
to Validity
M2
(pgs. 19-25)Samples,
good and bad
03/05/01
No Class: Spring Break
03/12/01 P5 Research
Techniques
M5
(pgs. 71-82) Experiments,
good and bad
M4
(pgs. 49-62)Sample
surveys in the real world
MIDTERM EXAM 03/19/01 P6Experimental
Designs
M6 (pgs. 89-102) Experiments
in the real world
03/26/01 P8 Intro.
to basic statistics: Guest Lecture: Class cancelled
04/02/01 P8Intro.
to basic statistics: Guest Lecture
04/09/01 P7The
practice of science and research
M7 (pgs. 108-119) Data
ethics
04/16/01
No Class: Easter Break
04/23/01P9
& P10 Reporting,
interpreting and describing your findings
M9
(pgs. 146-154) Do
the numbers make sense?
M10
(pgs. 173-184) Graphs,
good and bad
