PSY 104: RESEARCH METHODS
Instructor: Connie Wolfe, Ph.D.
Office: 215 Moyer
E-mail: wolfe@muhlenberg.edu
Office Hours: see web page
Phone: 484-664-3686 (e-mail preferred)
Note: The class web page lists readings and assignments (including instructions for assignments). You may want to bookmark the page: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY104/PSY104.htm
Course Description and Overview
This is an intensive course that provides you with hands-on experience running studies, analyzing and interpreting data, and with preparation of APA style research presentations. There are many assignments and it is important to keep up with the class. REGULAR CLASS ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL. The goal of this course is to obtain firsthand knowledge about how information is acquired and communicated in psychology. By the end of the term you will have learned how to: design, run, analyze, and present psychological research. Learning about research methods will also help you think critically about research in psychology (and other fields). This class tends to be an interesting mix of fun projects, less-than-fascinating textbook details of research methodology and (a mix of) assignments. Everything is important to the “big picture” so you need to make a commitment now to keep up with the readings, study hard, ask any questions you have, and be an active, engaged student.
This course is designed to help you develop and improve various skills that are important in the discipline of psychology (see the department mission statement at: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/psychology/mission.html, but also skills that can be transferred to other disciplines and careers. Readings, class discussion, and assignments are designed to focus on the following skills:
Research skills (experience with various experimental methodologies: observational, survey, content analysis, experimental)
Writing skills (specifically, experience with technical writing, APA style)
Critical thinking skills
Problem solving skills (ability to develop and test hypotheses about social behavior)
More experience with Statistics and SPSS
Organizational skills
Oral communication skills
Leadership skills
Interpersonal skills (ability to work in a group, team work)
For our class to be an interesting and worthwhile experience, its important that you:
Attend class and do all of the assignments and readings for the days they are due.
Be aware that class lectures and activities are meant to supplement the text and additional readings. As such, class topics may often overlap with reading material, but may also cover entirely unique material. EVERYTHING, even assigned readings not covered in class, is fair game for the course exams. You are also responsible for material covered in classes you miss.
Actively participate during class. I would like for there to be a substantial component of the course that involves active discussions. Feel free to interrupt me, challenge me, bring interesting examples in, and otherwise make your voice heard. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible and to have (intellectual) fun!
Readings
Stangor, C. (2010). Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (4th edition). Cenage.
Textbook Companion Web Site:
Optional to Purchase; Required to Use:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Edition)
Your Grade
OVERVIEW
You should be aware that this is a challenging course. You must keep up
with readings and assignments. Your grade will be determined by your
performance on each of the following:
25% Exams
20% Final Cumulative Exam
Participation in three "LOC-R" qualified studies
*Note: You will not receive an "A" or equivalent on any homework assignment or paper that has more than three grammatical, formatting, punctuation or other syntax errors. Common errors are failing to follow assignment directions, failure to properly cite your sources, noun-verb agreement, a confusion of "then" and "than," and failure to use apostrophes appropriately. Proof-read and spell check everything you hand in and work on these basic writing skills. Remember there are writing tutors at the Writing Center who can help (as can I). If you are working regularly with a writing tutor (or me) and I have documentation of this, I will be more lenient.
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Exams & Cumulative Final Exam (45%): There will be two in-class exams and one cumulative final exam. These tests may be a mixture of multiple choice, fill-in, matching, SPSS problems, and essay type questions – whatever suits the material. I will give you more information before each test.
Lab Reports/Paper Drafts/Other Assignments (20%): The lab and writing assignments will be many and varied. You will receive between 1 and 5 points for most assignments. I will be looking to see that you demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of the concepts involved, and that your writing is clear, organized, and properly formatted. Assignments that are late or insufficiently complete will not receive credit. Typically, all work submitted should be typed, double-spaced, and proof-read. All members of a group will receive the same grade for group work. The drafts of your final paper (as described below) will be included in this category, and will be worth 10 points each.
Group Project (30%): Groups of 3 or 4 students will research, design, and conduct an original psychological experiment or quasi-experiment on a topic of their choice. The completed project will include a written report in APA format, an in-class oral presentation and a poster presentation on Psychology Day. Additionally, you will be evaluated by me and your fellow group members regarding effective collaboration (see below). Preliminary drafts of each section of the paper are due throughout the semester. You are strongly encouraged to seek feedback frequently throughout the semester. Although the design and data collection phases of this project are collaborative, the writing of the final paper is an individual assignment. Collaboration on the actual writing of the paper is not permitted. Paper grades will be based on the following abilities:
To draw clear and justified inferences linking previous theorizing to the hypotheses of the current study, and show that you understand the hypotheses and where they come from.
To present and to explain procedures and results clearly.
To go beyond the data and make inferences about what the results mean in the big picture.
To use APA style appropriately.
To write clear and organized papers that flow well from start to finish.
The oral presentation (all members of the group are required to speak) will be graded on the basis of its clarity and completeness, as well as basic speaking skills and skill at answering questions. My evaluation of the presentation as a whole will anchor the oral presentation grade, but students within a group may receive different grades based on my impressions about individual contributions to the overall work. Your poster will be evaluated on the basis of your research design, implementation, and the quality of your write-up of the project. Everyone in your group will receive the same grade for the poster presentation.
Course Engagement / Group Collaboration
Your attendance, while not mandatory, is crucial to your success and that of your classmates. Further, your active engagement in the class is also critically important. Group Project Collaboration: In addition to my own observations, I will be collecting ratings from you and your group members to help me gauge the quality of your participation in the group project. Guidelines for creating effective collaborations, and information about how this work will be assessed is posted on Moodle.
Participation in Studies: You will be using the Advanced Lab students and the students in the other Research Methods course as your "participant pool" for the group projects. Your service requirement is participation in a minimum of 3 studies (of any length) advertised on the LOC-R board. Participation in a study being conducted by students in the other section(s) of Research Methods also counts toward the minimum 3 required studies. To receive credit, turn in your stamped card to me at the end of the semester. For studies conducted by other Research Methods students, turn in a copy of their debriefing form dated and signed by the experimenters. If you do not wish to participate in research studies, an alternative assignment is available; see me for details. Failure to complete this requirement in full will result in 5 percentage points being deducted from your final grade.
Course Grades will be assigned as follows:
Extraordinary A+ (98-100%); A (93-97%); A- (90-92%)
Good B+ (88-89%); B (83-87%); B- (80-82%)
Satisfactory C+ (78-79%); C (73-77%); C- (70-72%)
Poor D (60-69%); F (< 60%)
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
*E-mail, Moodle, and Class Web Page
You are responsible for maintaining a functioning e-mail account -
preferably the account the college provided to you; I will use your Muhlenberg account when sending individual e-mails. Check your e-mail
often. Be sure the address you use for your Moodle account is accurate and functioning. If you wish to send me e-mail, please note that I have
spam-protection software which may automatically delete your message if
you are using a domain other than muhlenberg.edu.
Moodle is an on-line program similar to Blackboard that I will be using to distribute presentation slides and some course readings. Here are instructions for accessing Moodle:
Most course information is on our class web page. Check this regularly for schedule revisions, assignments, etc. http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY104/PSY104.htm
Teaching Philosophy
I want you to learn about psychology, and grow to love learning. I'll do my best to facilitate that. Please remember, however, that how much you get out of this class (or any class), is largely up to you. With respect to grading and assignments, I try to treat students fairly and provide as much information as I can regarding grading criteria, expectations and deadlines. However, I am also very strict regarding these issues. I will do my best to assist you but you must alert me to potential problems early on and stick to any alternate plans we make. I’m happy to discuss ideas, or review outlines or drafts for any assignment. I’m also happy to help you prepare for tests or double check your understanding of the material. However, please remember I can be much more flexible if you discuss problems with me before an assignment is due - not after. Please keep me informed of ways I can help you get as much as you would like to out of this class. I’d like this class to be a positive experience for each of you!
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments are due at the beginning of our class meeting on the due date. After starts at 1 day late. Blackboard/Moodle submissions must have timestamps conforming to this policy.
I no longer accept assignments via e-mail (unless you receive special approval).
Except in the case of documented emergency situations:
One letter grade deduction (or equivalent) each day an assignment is late.
I will not award credit for any assignment more than 5 days late.
Missing any quiz, exam, in-class lab, or in-class presentation appearance will result in a zero for that assignment.
Missing the final presentation will result a zero for that assignment
If you have a documented emergency and you contact me as soon as humanly possible about a missed exam or assignment, I will be happy to set up procedures for you to make-up the missed work. However, please note that some in-class assignments cannot be made up (e.g., presentations, experiential activities, exercises requiring a group).
"A Virus Ate My Homework” ~ "My Internet is Broken" Computer problems do not relieve your responsibility for turning in work on time. I suggest that, when possible, you aim to have each assignment completed one full day before it is due to allow for all the various last minute problems that may arise. Note: Hard drives and USB drives really do fail (really). If you haven't had a problem yet, you are about due. So, be sure to have backups and hard copies of everything. Also, the computers in Moyer are not maintained the way the "official" computer labs on campus are. Thus, there is no guarantee that any computers or printers will be working in that precious 5 minutes before the assignment is due. Leave time to go to an alternate computer lab to submit or print your work.
Academic Honesty
I will be deeply disappointed if you choose to engage in any sort of plagiarism or cheating as opposed to talking to me about difficulties you are having with the assignments. Avoid the temptation to cheat by keeping up with your coursework, by anticipating problems and by communicating with me about any problems you are having. I will be happy to help you learn how to properly cite sources, etc., and I remind you that extensions may be available if you ask (in a timely fashion). You are expected to know and follow the Academic Behavior Code of Muhlenberg College (http://www.muhlenberg.edu/pdf/main/aboutus/dean-academic/Iabc2.pdf). You are responsible for keeping drafts, references, disk and backup copies of all of your written assignments until final grades are completed. Any cheating will be reported to the Dean, and strictly dealt with via a failing grade on the exam, assignment, or a failing grade for the course depending on the severity of the infraction.
You should note that paraphrasing is not an appropriate way to use sources in a paper. Even some types of paraphrasing you may have been told were acceptable in other courses are not acceptable here. You are required to follow the guidelines about paraphrasing described at the following web page: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/paraphrasing.htm Feel free to ask me if you are uncertain how to use your sources. If you engage in inappropriate paraphrasing, you will have to re-write the assignment and your grade on the assignment will be lowered by 2 letter grades.
Classroom Needs
I’d like to make this class one in which everyone can learn
and develop a passion for psychology! If you have any specific needs (e.g. related to vision, hearing, or medical conditions, etc.) or any religious or cultural
practices that I can help accommodate, please let me know by the second
week of class so I can make the appropriate arrangements. If you feel you may need an accommodation based on the
impact of a disability should contact The
Office of Academic Support Services (x3433) for the appropriate paperwork, and ask to speak with me
privately about your documentation. I will strictly follow the guidelines set out in the paperwork from Academic Resources when arranging your accommodations. And, remember that it is your responsibility to give me reminders throughout the semester (with enough lead time to make proper arrangements).
Use of the APA Publication Manual, 6th Ed.
You are responsible for following the rules and guidelines
described in the following sections of the manual:
I strongly encourage you to begin acquainting yourself with the Publication Manual and the rules in it NOW. (Lesson one: forget most of what you learned about “MLA” style.) Trying to make your paper conform to APA guidelines the night before it is due will make you crazy and result, probably, in a not-so-good paper. I suggest you tackle some subset of these rules in each homework assignment and paper draft you turn in to me so that when it really counts (the final versions of your research papers), you will be able to write in APA style with ease.
I am ALWAYS happy to review drafts with you, discuss any rules that are unclear to you, help you figure out which rule applies, and help you understand HOW to use this manual (it can be confusing initially). Please come to me with ANY questions or problems. Unless you come to me, however, I will assume that the manual is relatively clear to you. Generally, we will not explicitly address APA style in class lectures or discussions.
Additional Resources: