Crosby, Lindsay K

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi 9-2014 PSYX 120.50: Introduction to Psychological Research Methods I -Online Lindsay K. Crosby University of Montana - Missoula, lindsay.crosby@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Crosby, Lindsay K., "PSYX 120.50: Introduction to Psychological Research Methods I -Online" (2014). Syllabi. 1563. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1563 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. Psyx 120:  Introduction to Research Methods Fall 2014 Instructor Information Instructor:  Lindsay Crosby, M.A. Email:  lindsay.crosby@umontana.edu  Office hours:  by appointment Course Description Psychology is the science of human and non-human animal behavior as well as mental, perceptual, and biological processes. As a survey course, Introduction to Research Methods provides an overview of the scientific approach to studying those various topics. By understanding basics research methods of psychology, you will learn to approach the world in a more systemic and scientific manner. The course primarily employs an online discussion format. Throughout the course of the semester, you will be asked discussion questions, and it is expected that you will interact with your instructor and classmates by responding to the questions posed. Furthermore, at various points in the semester you will be asked to use your understanding of research methods to critique and comment upon actual published research studies. It is anticipated that by the end of the semester you will have a basic understanding of research methodology that will enable you to consume psychological literature.  Required Text Shaughnessy, J.J. and Zechmeister, E.B. (2012). Research Methods. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. Course Requirements *Please follow the course schedule (page 4) throughout the semester* Exams There will be two non-cumulative exams in this course.  Each exam is worth 100 points. The format of the exams will include 50 multiple-choice/true-false questions with each question being worth 2 points. The first exam (midterm) will contain questions with assigned readings through chapter 6. The second exam (final) will contain questions with material from chapters 7-12. You will have 120 minutes to complete each exam. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit the exam because you may not submit it before time runs out. If you fail to submit the exam in the allotted time, you will receive a zero on the exam. No exceptions will be made, so please plan accordingly.  Quizzes Over the course of the semester we will have a total of 13 quizzes that will cover material from the week’s reading. Each quiz will have 15 questions with each question being worth one point. The quizzes are meant to serve a multitude of purposes. They should key you in on what is significant from the material we cover in class. Quizzes will be multiple choice/true false.  Each quiz will be open to take from 12 AM until 11:59 PM on the Friday of that week and cannot be made-up after this time. This offers you an entire 24hrs. to take a 15 question T/F quiz. There are 16 weeks in the semester. You will not have quizzes on weeks, 8, 14, and 16 because of holidays and finals week those weeks are 10/16, 11/27, & 12/08). Discussion Forums Almost every week throughout the duration of the semester, two discussion forums will be created based on the week’s readings. Discussion forums will be opened at the beginning of the week (Monday at 12 AM) and will close on Thursday at 12 PM, noon. Students will be expected to make an original post and one reply (to another student’s post) in each discussion forum during that allotted time. In other words, don’t wait for the end of the semester to make 26 posts and 26 replies; you must submit two posts and two replies every week if you want the credit. Please attend to the quality of your discussion post because the instructor reserves the right to not give you credit for unsatisfactory posts. For example, simply stating “I agree” or some variation is not a satisfactory reply to another student’s post.   Responses to discussion posts are expected to help you explain, analyze, synthesize and evaluate basic concepts in psychological research methods. Additionally, through interacting with your peers it is anticipated that you will develop a better understanding of the material covered. You will be expected to make 26 original posts and 26 replies throughout the semester. Each original post is worth 5 points (and you’ll submit two per week) and each reply is worth 2.5 points (and you’ll submit two per week) for a total of 15 points a week. There are 16 weeks in the semester. You will not have quizzes on weeks, 8, 14, and 16 because of holidays and finals week (those weeks are 10/16, 11/27, & 12/08). Homework Assignments There will be three homework assignments throughout the course of the semester. They will ask you to apply the material that you have learned to critiquing and commenting original research articles. For the first assignment you will be provided with an article and asked to address specific questions about the research study. The second assignment will require you to find your own peer-reviewed original research article. The third and final HW assignment will ask you to reflect on the course and share how the material applies to you currently and will apply to you in the future (professionally or personally). An explanation for each HW assignment will be posted as a resource on the course page at least two week prior to its due date.   Grading Course grading is based on a total of 735 points. Points are awarded as follows: Criteria Point breakdown Total points Participation (Discussion Posts/Replies) 13 weeks @ 15 points each 195 points Quizzes 13 weeks @ 15 points each 195 points Research Homework Assignments 2 @ 40 points each 80 points  1 @ 30 points  30 points Exams 2 @ 100 points each 200 points  700 points are possible for this course with standard plus/minus grading  A = 100 – 93% A- = 92 – 90% B+ = 89 – 88% B = 87 – 83% B- = 82 – 80% C+ = 79 – 78% C = 77 – 73% C- = 72 – 70% D+ = 69 – 68% D = 67 – 63% D- = 62 – 60% F = 59% and below Course Guidelines and Policies Make-Up Policy To make up a missed quiz or exam, you must meet the following criteria: • Notify your Instructor before the time of the exam and provide proper documentation. • You must have legitimate documentation verifying the reason for your absence. Examples of documented circumstances that may merit approval include the following: o Illness or accident o Death or family emergency o University-sanctioned activity Academic Misconduct All students must practice academic honesty.  Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University.  All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. Disability Modifications The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students.  If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services in Lommasson Center 154 or call 406-243-2243.  I will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriate modification. Announcements Students are responsible for any announcements made throughout the duration of this course.  Announcements will be located on the course page, and may include changes in policy, due dates, or assignment requirements. Course Schedule This schedule is a dream…when reality sets in we will make adjustments as needed.  All changes will be announced on Moodle, so regular attendance is in your best interest!  Week/Dates Readings Topic(s) Assignment(s) Week 1 – Aug 25 Syllabus, Attached Reading Introduction to online course 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 2 – Sept 3 Chapter 1 Introduction 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 3 – Sept 8 Chapter 2 The Scientific Method 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 4—Sept 15  Chapter 3 Ethical Issues in the Conduct of 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week/Dates Readings Topic(s) Assignment(s) Psychological Research Week 5 – Sept 22 Chapter 4 Observational Methods 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 6 – Sept 29 Chapter 5 Survey Research 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz 1st HW assignment Due (10/01) Week 7 – Oct 6 Chapter 6 Independent Groups Design 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 8 – Oct 13 Midterm Week—review past readings Midterm Week—review past readings Midterm:  Chapters 1-6 (10/11) No posts or replies due Week 9 – Oct 20 Chapter 7 Repeated Measures Designs 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 10 – Oct 27 Chapter 8 Complex Designs 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 11 – Nov 3 Chapter 9 Single-Subject/Small N Designs 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 12 – Nov 10 Chapter 10 Quasi-Experimental Designs 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz 2nd HW assignment Due (11/14) Week 13 – Nov 17 Chapter 11 Data Analysis and Interpretation:  Part 1 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz Week 14 – Nov 24 Chapter 12 Data Analysis and Interpretation:  Part 2 Nothing Due--Thanksgiving Week 15 – Dec 1 Review past readings Review past readings 2 posts; 2 replies; 1 quiz 3rd HW assignment Due (12/5) Week 16 –Dec 8 Finals Week Review past readings Final Exam:  Chapters 7-12 (12/9)  

PSYX 120.50: Introduction to Psychological Research Methods I -Online

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PSYX 120.50: Introduction to Psychological Research Methods I -Online

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