Psychology 290, 4 hours credit

Research Methods in Psychology

The course involves critical consideration of the basic research methods. Emphasis is on designing, running, analyzing and communicating studies in diverse areas of Psychology as a means for understanding the logic of research methodology.

Psychology 280

Students of psychology need to be familiar with and understand the research methodologies used by psychologists to critically read and evaluate current research in psychology. Approximately 100 Psychology majors and minors, Human Development majors, and Psychology-Philosophy majors take the course as part of their requirements each semester. The course is 4 credits because it meets for three-one hour lectures and a two hour laboratory each week. The course is part of the required core sequence including Psychology 100,280, 30x, 40x, and 475.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a familiarity with and understanding of various research methods in the behavioral sciences so that they can: plan good research, understand the strengths and limitations of research methods, critically evaluate information about human behavior presented in both professional journals and the popular media, and develop proficiency in professional scientific writing.

Specific Objectives:

1. To increase understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry in Psychology.
2. To develop ability in reading, interpreting, and critically evaluating psychological research.
3. To design, execute, and analyze psychological research.
4. To master effective expression of ideas including writing style, proper English grammar, and the reduction of bias in language.
5. To master effective expression of ideas within the guidelines of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Publication Manual.

1. The nature of problems of scientific inquiry.
1. History and definitions of the scientific method
2. Assumptions of scientific research in Psychology
3. Goals of scientific psychology, problems of proof, causation, control, theory, etc.
2. Methods of research in psychology
1. Non-experimental research (e.g., observational studies, correlational research and questionnaire construction, field experiments, quasi- experimental designs, and descriptive designs)
2. Experimental research
3. Ethics
4. Data collection
5. Data analysis and interpretation
6. Generalization
7. Research reporting
3. Content areas for psychological research: An attempt is made to cover research design problems in various areas of Psychology so that students will learn the commonality of the research methods as well as specific techniques for different areas.

1. Lecture and discussion of concepts, techniques, and problems in designing, implementing, analyzing, and reporting research.
2. A variety of studies conducted by the class.
1. Methods will span those outlined in Section VII.B.
3. A complete AP A-style write up including iterative feedback to allow students to develop effective writing skills.
4. An attempt will be made to review course material covered in Psychology 280 and integrate these analytic techniques with research methods.
5. Examples will be given from a broad range of areas of psychology to meet the interests of Psychology majors and minors, Human Development majors, and Philosophy-Psychology majors.

1. Students will complete written lab assignments designed to teach them to critically assess the concepts, techniques, and problems involved in designing, implementing, analyzing, and reporting research within AP A guidelines.
2. A complete AP A-style write up of either:
1. a proposal for a psychological study designed by the student with a mock-up of how the study was implemented and analyzed
2. a psychological study designed, implemented, and analyzed by the student
3. Readings in text and journal articles.
4. Library assignments.

1. At least two multiple choice/short answer examinations plus final.
2. Grading of laboratory exercises. Students will produce written narratives stating the null and alternative hypotheses associated with any test, a written rationale for their use of a given statistical technique to analyze data bearing on those hypotheses, a written report summarizing the results of their analyses and a written interpretation of those results. This will be done in APA format and constitute elements of the results section of a journal manuscript.

Students will be evaluated on their performance on the written research reports or proposals, written lab assignments, and examinations.

No additional resources are required.

American Psychological Association (1994). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed). Washington, DC: Author.

Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (1996). Research design and methods: A process approach. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Elmes, D. G., Kantowitz, B. H., & Roediger III, H. L. (1999). Research methods in Psychology. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Heiman, G. W. (1999). Research methods in Psychology. Boson: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Horvat, J., & Davis, S. (1997). Doing psychological research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Izzett, R. (1996). SPSSX instructions and examples of PSY 280, 290, and 300. Oswego, NY: SUNY Oswego Psychology Department.

McBurney, D. H. (1998). Research Methods. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Rosnow, R. L., & Rosnow, M. (1998). Writing papers in Psychology: A writing guide. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Shaughnessy, J. J:, & Zechmeister, E. B. (1997). Research methods in Psychology. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Smith, R. A. (1995). Challenging your preconceptions: Thinking critically about Psychology. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.