Welcome to Psyc 350 Laboratory The way to start any relationship is with honesty ! So... Why are you taking this course ?

This is multiple choice…. Pick one ! d. I’ll have a better chance of getting into graduate school or a job if I’ve done some research c. I know I’ll have to do research to get the Master’s and/or Ph.D. I’ll need for my intended career b. My intended career will require me to perform or apply the results of empirical research a. I hope to do empirical research daily for the rest of my life (taking holidays off, of course) f. It’s required !!! e. I’ll use the stuff I learn in this class to do better in my other classes

So, the obvious question becomes, “Why is this course required ??? ” There are two different approaches to answering this question -- both are important Advances in psychological treatment and application (in the many areas that apply psychology) are dependent upon new psychological knowledge, which comes from research This course is designed to teach you basic research-related skills you will use throughout your education and career

The importance of empirical research… Every decision and action made by psychological professionals is dependent upon research -- maybe their own, probably someone else’s. In order to be ethical (also legal and bill-able), each diagnosis, treatment choice, evaluation and decision to stop treatment must be defended in terms of replicated, peer-reviewed, published research. Not just clinical/treatment decisions, but those made within areas of human resources, criminal justice, business, education, engineering, etc. -- all depend upon and use knowledge acquired by psychological researchers

While not everyone needs to be a producer of empirical research (but see below), every psychological professional needs to be a competent consumer of research. Being a competent consumer of research means being able to … locate research that is relevant to your work critique (not memorize - but evaluate) the quality of the research (theory, methodology & stats) integrate the useful information (that passes your evaluation) from the research into your own work

Most practitioners (not just those in “academics”) find that they do need to produce research … Why? One simple answer -- funding is tight !! Funding sources (including the city, state, feds, foundations and private individuals who support treatment facilities) & clients need evidence that what you are doing “works” and is “worth the expense”. It is not enough that you “do it better” than the others. You need evidence that what you’re doing works, and that it works better than your competitors. This evidence comes from research conducted, analyzed and reported by you using your own patients/clients.

The point is … Research is going to be a more important part of your ongoing professional activities (and your successes) than you may realize. Professionals who better understand the research process and know how to evaluate, integrate and apply the results from empirical research have greater employment potential and will better serve their clients and patients.

Another point … The psychological professions are competitive !! For a few of reasons… “helping people” is seen by many folks as an extension of their concerns for individuals and our society, so these many folks want to become psychological professionals many folks consider the understanding of individual and group human behavior -- “understanding the understanders” -- to be the ultimate question The pay can be pretty good

Most folks find that the career they want will require education beyond their BA or BS -- either graduate school, professional school, or on-the- job training. Positions for all of these are extremely competitive -- some examples, each year... our graduate Clinical Psychology Program accepts of the 200+ applicants our Law-Psychology graduate program accepts 4-5 of 40 applicants the Educational Psychology Counseling program takes 6-8 out of 100+

The intent is not to demoralize you, but rather to motivate you to pursue those activities during your undergraduate “career” that will increase your ability to compete for graduate school or a job. What do schools & employers look for ?? (you guessed it )… excellent performance in research methods/stats courses (yes “courses” -- more is better) excellent performance in 400-level courses -- especially writing and critical thinking skills (which can be improved using the knowledge and skills you’ll have an opportunity to learn in here) research experience (which will be easier to find if you do well in here and have the resultant skills)

So, back to the original question -- Why is this course required ?? Because research is at the heart of Psychological practice -- you have to understand psychological research to understand the application of psychological principles to whatever career you choose. Because the best way to get the education and training you need for your desired career is to master the procedures, techniques, skills and tricks you will learn in this course.

Useful skills you’ll acquire in this course… We have “immodest” goals for you this semester. … learn to locate, summarize, critique and integrate primary research and research reviews … learn to propose original research hypotheses based on your consideration of previous research … learn to plan the procedures and materials for data collection and analysis relevant to research hypotheses … learn to report all of the above using a standard (i.e., APA) format and style

Important Stuff to Remember: You need a “C” (not a “C-”) for this course to count toward the Psychology Major You must complete all exams and the laboratory final to receive a passing grade in this course. You must complete all laboratory assignments to receive a passing grade in this class. You must complete the research participation assignment to receive a passing grade in this class.