PSY 104:  Research Methods, Fall 2009

> Course Syllabus  - course description, goals, policies and grade details.

> Connie's Office Hours & Contact Information

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COURSE READINGS & ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Assignments and readings are due on the date listed. Check often for schedule revisions/updates/additions.
Most supplementary class readings are available in Blackboard: open our class site, and click on "Course Documents." 
Most files are "PDF" files.  If you need to download Acrobat, visit this link.

SUGGESTED GROUP PROJECT TIMELINE

DATE

 TOPIC

READINGS

 ASSIGNMENTS
(BB = submit via Blackboard, due by 11:30am)
Form Groups
 T 9/1 Overview; Critical Thinking Course Syllabus in-class Letter to the Editor (one per group, turn in to BB)

R 9/3

Overview, cont.;  Ethics in Psychological Research

Text Chpt. 3; and,

Read the article at this link (watch the video and read the article)

Discussion Questions: (1) What six changes did Dr. Burger make to the original Milgram paradigm? (2) Relate those changes to the basic ethical principles discussed in your textbook.

Generate Topics

T 9/8

Ethics cont.;  Annotating & summarizing an article

Text Chpt. 1; and, also read:

Flett, G. L., Blankstein, K. R., Hewitt, P. L., & Koledin, S. (1992). Components of perfectionism and procrastination in college students. Social Behavior and Personality, 20(2), 85-94.

*obtain from the library via PSYCHINFO, read, & bring a copy to class

*Click here for tips on reading articles
*Click here for tips on reading this article

in-class: Article Outline  (one per group)

R 9/10

Library Resources; Meet in Library B-01 classroom

Text Chpt. 2; and,

Effective Collaborations Handout (posted on BB); and,

Read through the PSYCHINFO Handout (posted on BB). Bring a copy of this handout to class with you.

(BB)  Article Summary

in-class: Brainstorming

Review the Literature & Develop Research Question

T 9/15

Measurement: Operational Definitions

 Text Chpt. 4

(BB) Group Project Contract

R 9/17

Measurement: Reliability & Validity

 Text Chpt. 5
(BB) Library Assignment

T 9/22

Measurement: Reliability & Validity (cont.)

 
in-class Construct Reliability & Validity, Parts I - III

R 9/24


 

 

 
  FALL BREAK  

R 10/1

Measurement: Survey Construction
 Pelham & Blanton Chpt. 4 (posted on BB)

(BB) Construct Reliability & Validity, Part IV

in-class Survey Construction
Form Hypothesis

T 10/6

Measurement: Survey Construction; continued

  

in-class Survey Construction

(BB) Project Article Outline & Summary

R 10/8

Explanation of Intro Development assignment

Internal/External Validity

 Text Chpt. 12 & 13

in-class Confounds Exercise
Design Study &
Locate Measures

T 10/13

Internal/External Validity, cont.

  
(BB) Survey Construction Lab Write-up

R 10/15

Introduction Development; Group Work
(BB) Introduction Development Assignment
          *bring a copy of this to class

T 10/20

Exam 1

Submit Ethics Proposal
& Prepare to Run Study

R 10/22

Inferential Statistics Review

Writing Intro/Method;  Group Work

Text Chpt. 8

Read: Writing an Empirical Paper
               *focus on Intro & Method

Bring a draft of your Group Project Ethics Proposal (1 per group) to class

T 10/27

Inferential Stats, cont.;

Text Appendix A (BB) Group Project Ethics Proposal (1 per group)

R 10/29

Non-experimental methods (Correlation & Regression)

Text Chpt. 9

 
Circulate sign-up sheets &
Collect Data (pending ethics approval)

T 11/3

Correlation & Regression (cont.)  

(BB) Group Project Intro/Method Draft 
           *don't forget about APA Style

in class Regression Lab

R 11/5

Experimental Designs (One-Way)

Text Chpt. 10
Completed Regression Lab due

T 11/10

One-Way Designs cont.

 
Enter Data

R 11/12

Factorial Designs

 Text Chpt. 11 One-Way Field Experiment Lab
Analyze data

*Each group must meet with me to review their results. We can meet during class, time permitting.

T 11/17

Factorial Designs, cont.

Text Chpt. 7 (you are responsible for the material in this chapter, although we will not be going over it in class lecture)
in class Complex Designs Worksheet

R 11/19

Writing and Presenting Research Results; Group Project Time

Text Appendix A (review);

Read: Writing an Empirical Paper 
            *focus on Results thru bottom of page

Read: Presentations; Posters

T 11/24

Exam 2

  
--- THANKSGIVING  

T 12/1

Group Project Time
 
Prepare Presentations

R 12/3

Group Project Time  
(F 12/4)

 

   Due by 5pm: (BB) Group Project Results/Disc. Draft 
                                   *don't forget about APA Style

T 12/8

Group Project Presentations; Group Project Time

  Presentations

T 12/8

4:15 - 6:30

Psychology Day!

Presentation of your poster and attendance at two talks (minimum) is required. In addition, you are required to attend the entire event.

   Poster Presentations at Psych Day

R 12/10

Concluding Remarks

   

Final Paper due in my office or mailbox by 5pm on Wednesday, Dec. 16th
Attach copies of both drafts (with my comments & comments pages), and a copy of the first page of each of your sources (i.e., the abstract page).
Use a binder clip to hold everything together.

Cumulative Final: See Registrar's web site for day and time. Location is our classroom.