Course: METHODS of SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH

Course:METHODS OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH

AJU/PSY/SOC 3030

Prerequisites:AJU/PSY/SOC 1100 & AJU/PSY/SOC 2030

Instructor:James E. Horton

Office: 131 Smiddy Hall

Phone: 328-0136

Email:

Webpage:

Office Hours:Posted on Web Page

Textbooks: (Required)Shaughnessy, J. J. & Zechmeister, E. B. (2000).

Research Methods in Psychology 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill: NY

(Recommended)Zechmeister, E. B. & Shaughnessy, J. J. (1997).

A Practical Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill: NY

Course Objectives: The course will cover the basic theory, methods and ethics of experimental and non-experimental

research in the social and behavioral sciences. At the completion of the course, the student should possess an elementary working knowledge of the following areas of research methods.

1)The student should have an elementary knowledge of scientific theory of research

2)The student should have a basic understanding of ethical concerns of research

3)The student should be able to correctly participate in psychological observation.

4)The student should be able to design a survey to collect data and correctly analyze that data.

5)The students should be able to correctly design an informed consent form.

6)The student should be able to successfully design and complete an experiment.

7)The student should be able to properly report the results of their findings.

Class Attendance:Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Attendance will be taken regularly. If extreme

circumstances cause you to miss a class, you should discuss the situation with me immediately.

Section Exams: Two section exams will be given throughout the term.

Assignments: Ten out of class assignments will be required for the term.

Research Paper: One experimental research paper in APA format, including statistical analysis, will be

required for the term. The student will report the results of an experimental research project orally

using PowerPoint and in written format.

Final Exam:The final exam will be comprehensive.

Grading: Your grade will be determined by your class participation, section exams, out of class

assignments, a research paper, and the final exam.

Class participation 10%

Section exams 2 @ 15% ea30%

Assignments 10 @ 2% ea20%

Research paper (oral presentation)10%

Research paper (written format)10%

Final exam20%

100%

Honor Code:The Honor Code of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is fully and unconditionally

supported in this course. Violations of the Honor Code will be prosecuted through the Honor Court.

Special Accommodations:If you have any type of learning disability or problem which might require special accommodations,

please inform me at the beginning of the term to enable appropriate arrangements to be made.

Tentative Schedule and reading assignments:

DateChapterAssignments

1/15SyllabusBook-bag Observation

1/171 Introduction

1/222 EthicsBook bag Observation due

1/242 EthicsBook bag Analysis due

1/29HIC Protocol

1/313 Observation

2/55 Unobtrusive Measures

2/74 CorrelationSurvey form (Start)

2/12EXAM 1Start Literature Search

2/146 Independent GroupsIndependent Groups ANOVA

2/197 Repeated MeasuresRepeated Measures ANOVA

2/21 8Complex DesignsFactorial ANOVA

2/26EXAM 2

2/28APA FormatSurvey Analyses due

3/5ExperimentSurvey form due

3/7Experiment

3/12-14SEMESTER BREAK

3/199 Single Case DesignsIndependent Groups ANOVA due

3/2110 Quasi-ExperimentsRepeated Measures ANOVA due

3/26Paper & PPT Presentation

3/28Paper & PPT Presentation

Paper & PPT Presentation

4/2Paper & PPT Presentation

4/4Present Research

4/9Present Research

4/11Present Research

4/16Experimental Paper duePresent Research

4/18Present Research

4/23Present Research

4/25Present Research

4/30Present Research

5/2Present Research