Introductions Psych 231: Experimental Psychology

Your syllabus It is on-line. Write down the following address (in a couple of places) and bookmark it. psych231/fall2003syllabus.html –Click hereClick

Course Format Lectures on Monday and Wednesday –Given by me (Dr. Cutting) –Overview of the main issues in research methodology –Exams are in the lecture sections Labs on Thursday or Friday (depending on your section) –Given by your TAs Jennifer Coane (sections 02 & 04) Amanda Kearney (sections 03 & 05) –“Hands on” experiences with research –In-lab exercises –Group research project

Why take research methods? “Because it is required” Psychology is a science You may need to conduct a study Reading and evaluating other studies Making decisions in your daily lives Become a “better thinker”

Course Objectives Basically the "nuts and bolts" of putting together and completing a research project in psychology. –Learning to review the primary literature –Getting a research idea –Development and execution of a research plan –Basic analysis of research results. –Presentation of the results

Course Requirements 3 Exams (45%) –Each is cumulative. –Each exam will be worth 15% of your final grade. Homework exercises (10%) –2 journal article summary assignments Lab Assignments (30%) –Lab exercises (15%) –Lab Group research project (15%) Research project (15%) –Project Proposal (5%) –Final APA style manuscript(10%)

Textbooks Required –Research Methods For the Behavioral Sciences (Gravetter & Forzano) –Lab Manual, Packet #107 (available from PIP) RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE BEAHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Textbooks Optional How to think straight about Psychology Stanovich (2004) APA Publication Manual (5th edition)

Topics The research process, from start to finish –Get an idea –Formulate a testable hypothesis –Review the literature –Design the study –Collect data –Analyze the data –Interpret the results –Present the results

Next time Ways of knowing Read chapter 1 Optional Read chapter 1