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PSYC 302

I. Course Title: Research Methods in Psychology

II. Course Number: PSYC 302

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: PSYC 121, PSYC 301

V. Course Description: 

Introduces students to the major topics and issues in psychological research, including descriptive, correlational, and experimental approaches to empirical research. During the laboratory portion of the class, students conduct empirical research projects, analyze data from those projects, and write reports describing the research in American Psychological Association (APA) format.

Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Major topics to be covered in a typical semester will include: 

1. Psychology as a science

2. Developing and refining research ideas

3. Ethical issues and guidelines in conducting research

4. Measuring and defining ideas 

  • Sampling, reliability, and construct validity in measurement

5. Evaluating psychological research: Confounds and validities

6. Descriptive and survey research

7. Examining relationships: Correlational research 

8. Making causal claims: Experimental research 

  • Simple experimental designs
  • Complex designs and interactions

9. Subject variables and developmental research

10. Alternative research designs

  • Small-N and quasi-experimental designs

11. Replication and generalization of psychological research

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

A number of instructional strategies will be employed to enhance student engagement in lecture and lab, and may include any or all of the following general strategies.  

  • Lecture
  • Online content, activities, and assignments
  • Individual and group presentations 
  • Individual and collaborative research activities
  • Community-based projects
  • Video instruction
  • Instructor-led class discussions
  • Small-group discussions
  • Informal writing activities
  • Written and critical thinking assignments
  • Group activities
  • Case studies
  • Guest speakers
  • Journals or class blogs 

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Having successfully completed the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Use databases to identify relevant background research on topics in psychology, and critically evaluate the background research.
  2. Select appropriate research designs and strategies to answer a question of topical interest in psychology
  3. Conduct empirical research using valid and appropriate methodologies to answer a question of topical interest in psychology.
  4. Analyze and draw appropriate conclusions from empirical data collected in the course of a research project. 
  5. Prepare and present the results of research in a variety of oral and written formats, including the recommended format of the American Psychological Association.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:

  • Examinations (Objective and essay questions)
  • In-class or out-of-class quizzes
  • Student presentations
  • In-class discussion and participation
  • Written assignments/projects
  • Evaluation of research
  • In-class application assignments
  • Online assignments
  • Group participation
  • Class attendance
  • Preparation of APA-style laboratory reports

 

Other Course Information: None

 

Review and Approval

March, 2010

March 01, 2021

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