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Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
  • C-ID Number
    200
  • Units
    3.0
  • Date of Last Revision
    10/12/2017 04:44:13 PM PDT

General Description

This course surveys various psychological research methods with an emphasis on research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data.  Research design and methodology will be examined through a review of research in a variety of the subdisciplines of psychology.

Prerequisites

Introductory Psychology (C-ID PSY 110)

Elementary Statistics (ANOVA included) (C-ID MATH 110 or C-ID SOCI 125)

Corequisites

No information provided

Advisories

English Composition (C-ID ENGL 100)

Content

  1. Introduction
    1. Scientific and nonscientific approaches to knowledge
    2. Dependent and independent variables
    3. Validity and reliability
    4. Scientific method and its goals
    5. Causal and correlational relationships
    6. Samples and sampling methods
    7. Theoretical and operational definitions
    8. Selection of appropriate statistical tests (chi-square, correlation, t-tests, ANOVA)
    9. Evaluating peer-reviewed literature
    10. APA format
  2. Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Psychological Research
    1. APA ethical standards
    2. Risk/benefit ratio of research
    3. Use of deception in research
    4. Human and animal subject use
  3. Descriptive Methods — Observation and Survey Research
    1. Observational techniques and rationale
    2. Reactivity, demand characteristics, observer bias, expectancy effects, and other biases
    3. Theories, research questions, hypotheses
    4. Interpretation and limits of correlational data
    5. Levels of measurement
  4. Unobtrusive Measures of Behavior (physical trace methods, archival research methods, content analysis)
  5. Experimental Methods —
    1. Independent Group Designs
    2. Repeated Measures Designs
    3. Reasons to use and limitations of experimental methods
    4. Counterbalancing and practice effects
    5. Main effects and interaction effects using both table and graph methods
  6. Other Research Designs —
    1. Single-Case Research Design
    2. Quasi-Experimental Designs
  7. Program Evaluation
    1. Characteristics of true experiments and quasi-experiments

Lab Activities

No information provided

Objectives

No information provided

Evaluation Methods

In-class quizzes, written assignments in APA format (required), paper assignments, and class participation

Textbooks

Smith, R.A. & Davis, S.  The Psychologist as Detective: An Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology Prentice Hall Inc.

Cozby, Methods in Behavioral Research

Elmes, D. G.,  Kantowitz, B. H., & Roediger,H. L. III Research Methods in Psychology Wadsworth Publishing

American Psychological Association (latest edition) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

    (Other titles include Introduction to Psychological Methodology, Human Experimental Psychology, and Experimental Psychology)

  • Notes

    No information provided

  • Keywords

    psychology, method, research

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