PSYC 255Introduction to Psychological Research: Tentative Course Syllabus
City College, Spring 2013, section #89386Instructor: Kevin Dooley, Ph.D.
Class meets: Mondays Wednesdays 9:35- 11:00 AM Room: MS-522
Email:
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays for 20 minutes after class (MS-540E)
WEBSITE:dooleykevin.com
REQUIRED READING
Beins, B. (2013). Research Methods: A Tool For Life. (3rd Ed.) New York, NY: Pearson.
Milinki, A. (2006). A Cross Section of Psychological Research. (2nd Ed.) Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to scientific methodology in psychology. Emphasis is placed on descriptive, experimental, and applied research. Students learn the American Psychological Association writing style for empirical report writing. This course is intended for psychology majors and behavioral science students interested in the processes of research.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Define and describe the American Psychological Association (APA) style and format.
2. Distinguish among the descriptive methods in empirical research.
3. Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods.
4. Compare strengths and limitations of experimentally based research designs.
5. Propose experimental research designs incorporating independent groups, dependent groups, complex designs and applied methods.
6. Apply appropriate research designs to test hypotheses.
7. Evaluate appropriate ethical treatment of human and animal participants in behavioral research.
8. Employ APA style to research report writing.
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT & PERFORMANCE
Classroom behavior. I want the classroom atmosphere to be friendly and relaxed, so that everyone can participate & enjoy. If something bothers you in class, come talk to me about it after class; I will do everything that I can to help. Be on time, especially for exam days! Ask me about cell phones : )
Your questions, ideas and insights on topics under discussion are welcomed and encouraged when shared with the entire class. However, students are expected to respect the values, beliefs, and rights of others in the classroom by paying attention to whoever is speaking in class, and avoiding side-conversations. You are expected to abide by the City College student code of conduct, and may not interfere with other students’ opportunities to learn. You will be asked to leave the classroom if your behavior becomes disruptive to the learning of others.
Class preparation. I expect that you will read the assigned chapter BEFORE coming to class. This course requires a great deal of reading, thinking, and studying on your own in order to prepare for exams and discussions. There is not enough time to discuss all of the textbook material in class; however, you will be responsible for learning material from all assigned sections of the textbook.
HELP:
Please talk to me after class any time you have any questions or concerns about anything. I will be happy to help you.
Attendance: Attendance is critical to your success in this course. Class time is designed to engage you in a variety of activities that encourage learning through different modalities, such as demonstrations, debates, discussions, and hands on activities. It is not possible to do “make ups” for these experiences after the class time has past. Therefore, it is essential to attend class meetings. Hopefully, you will also find this course to be fun as well as interesting informative.
Absences: If you are going to be absent from class, you must send an email regarding your absence. If you do so, you may request copies of any handouts that were distributed. It would be helpful for you to identify a classmate whom you could contact for class notes or announcements that took place in your absence. City College policy states that a student may be dropped after three absences, so please make sure you explain your absences!
It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending.
It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline (include date) due to excessive absences.
Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
Requests for re-grading: If you do not agree with the grade you receive in any particular assessment or assignment, you must submit in writing the reasons for the request for re-grading to the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire assessment or assignment, which may raise or lower the initial grade given.
Plagiarism and ethics: One of the goals of this course is for you to think for yourself. Copying the work of others not only prevents you from developing your own thinking skills, it is also highly unethical. Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals. Students who are found in violation of district Procedure 3100.3, Honest Academic Conduct, will receive a zero on the assignment in question and may be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures. Don’t cheat yourself by cheating!
Conflict resolution: If you have a conflict or dispute with another student in the class or with me, the professor, please discuss this with me so we may work together to resolve the matter. If you do not feel you have achieved a satisfactory resolution, you should first contact the Chair of the Department. S/he will assist you or recommend higher level assistance from the Dean of the Department, the Vice-President of Student Affairs, and the President of the College in that order.
Children in class: It is San Diego City College’s policy that children are not allowed in the classroom. Please plan accordingly.
Mobile phone or a beeper: Please turn these devices off (or set to “vibrate”) during class.
Internet resources: Be sure to visit the class web page for study guides, details about assignments, and other helpful information:
Supplementary resources: City College provides numerous resources which may help you achieve your educational objectives, such as the Library, the Independent Learning Center, the Student Success Center, the Math and Writing Centers, and other tutorial services and counseling services. ESL courses and other specific learning materials may also be available.
Calculator: You may find an inexpensive calculator useful for shortcutting hand computations. The calculator should have addition, multiplication, division, and square root; cell phone calculators may not be used.
The Disability Support Programs and Services office on campus assists students with disabilities by providing support services and special testing arrangements in accordance with the American Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors during the first two weeks of class.
IMPORTANT DATES
2/8: Last day to drop a class without a “W”.
4/12: Last day to withdraw from a class and receive a “W”.
Beginning Fall 2009, the title ‘credit/ no credit’ will change to ‘pass/ no pass’ in accordance with Title 5, section 55022.
GRADES AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Quizzes: 4 multiple choice quizzes & cumulative final, covering textbook & lecture material.
Assignments:7 written assignments to facilitate comprehension, critical thinking, and preparation for the research project. Typed hard copies due in class (see schedule for due dates).
Poster Presentation:You will work on a research project throughout the semester, culminating in a poster presentation at the City College Student Research Symposium.
Paper:An APA style research paper will be due in class one week before the final. See class website for more details on the paper, presentation, assignments, and quizzes.
Participation:Attendance will be an important of success in this course, as it is required for participation in the frequent discussions and group activities that will take place in class. Thus, the final grade in this class will be affected by active participation, as follows: the participation grade will be based on the percentage of classes attended.
Quizzes: 60 points (20 points each, x4, drop lowest score) NO MAKEUPS
Assignments:60 points (10 points each, x7, drop lowest score)
Poster Presentation:80 points
Paper:80 points
Participation:60 points
Final (cumulative):60 points
TOTAL: 400 points
A = 90% or above; B = 80-89% C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = 59% or below
* See website for details on all assignments, poster, paper, etc.
* Bring the Milinki book to class unless otherwise noted (Beins textbook is not needed in class).
SCHEDULE: (tentative)Topicchapter to be read bynext class
1/28Introduction/syllabus
1/30Psychology, science, & life1
2/4, 2/6Ethics in research2
2/11Planning research/ LRC3
2/13Planning research/ LRC
2/18holiday, no class4
2/20Practical issues, assignment 1 due
2/25Quiz 1 (ch. 1-4)
2/27Measurement & sampling5
3/4Measurement & sampling, assignment 2 due
3/6Conducting an experiment: general principles6
3/11Experiments with one independent variable7
3/13Experiments with one independent variable, assignment 3 due
3/18Quiz 2 (ch. 5-7)
3/20Principles of survey research10
3/25, 3/27spring break!
4/1Correlational research11
4/3Correlational research, assignment 4 due
4/8Observational research12
4/10Quiz 3 (ch. 10-12), assignment 5 due
4/15Experiments with multiple independent variables8
4/17Experiments with multiple variables, assignment 6 due
4/22Discuss posters/presentationsAppendix A
4/24Work on posters, assignment 7 due
4/29Work on posters/ share presentations
5/1POSTER PRESENTATIONS TODAY 9 AM – 2 PM!
5/6 Expanding on experimental designs9
5/8Longitudinal & case studies13
5/13 Quiz 4 (ch. 8, 9, 13)
5/15PAPERS DUE
5/20review
5/22Final (cumulative, ch. 1-13)