1. Laurel Camp, Marian University ISTOPS Conference 2017
  Integrating Scientific Research into Psychology Courses: High School and Beyond
Laurel Camp, Marian University
ISTOPS Conference 2017

2. Standard 1: History & Scientific Method
Students discuss the history of psychology and its development as an empirical science by understanding the scientific method, explaining research strategies and identifying ethical issues.
P.1.1 Define psychology as a discipline and identify its goals as a science.
P.1.2 Explain the reasons and approaches for studying the methodology of psychology; past and present.
P.1.3 Describe the differences between descriptive and experimental research methods.
P.1.4 Explain the interaction among independent and dependent variables as well as the difference between experimental and control groups.
P.1.5 Distinguish between scientific and nonscientific research.
P.1.6 Describe the key concepts of the ethical guidelines applied by the American Psychological Association regarding the use of human and non-human animal subjects.
P.1.7 Describe the differences between quantitative and qualitative research strategies.
P.1.8 Define correlation coefficients and explain their appropriate interpretation.
P.1.9 Analyze human behavior from modern day perspectives in psychology.

3. P1.2 learning research methods AND Doing research is important
Critical thinking skills
Objectivity
Best practices
Informed consumer of information
Recognize science vs. pseudoscience
Smith & Davis (2013)

4. P1.5 Pseudosciences
Claim, belief or practice presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to the scientific method

7. Flaws in thinking: Sometimes pseudoscience, sometimes Bad sCience
Wakefield, et al. in1998 reported 12 children developed signs of autism and colon inflammation shortly after receiving MMR vaccinations
Wakefield (UK doctor) politicized his finding saying the study raised a “moral issue” , “urgent further research was needed,” and he couldn’t support giving the vaccine to children.
By 2001, no other studies around the world could replication. Found that Wakefield picked 12 children already known to have physical/behavior problems, he was paid to help sue manufacturers of the vaccine, and he had financial investments in a competing drug company. Lost medical license for fraud.

10. P1.5 Examples of Non-Scientific theories in Psychology
Historically – Ivan Pavlov
Pavlov and assistants noticed, that the dog began to salivate whenever it saw or heard footsteps of the person who fed it.
Pavlov called this unexpected behavior, "psychic secretion”. Many at the time interpreted this as a theory that the dog could anticipate and possibly read the mind of the researcher. Animals and humans had a subjective inner world.
Pavlov decided to investigate 'psychic secretion’ scientifically and look for physiological explanations.
A new notion called “conditioned reflex” emerged and a theory of Pavlovian (classical) conditioning.
Pavlov, Ivan Petrovich (online biography)

11. Additional Examples of Non-Scientific psychology theories
Subliminal Learning/Advertising
Graphology – Handwriting and Personality
Primal Therapy

12. P.1.3 There are three main types of studies in psychological research:
Descriptive: Summarize what you see
Correlational: Predict when something will occur
Experimental: Explain why something occurred; causal factors

13. Common Research Methods Used by Psychologists p1.7

14. Student-generated research Project
Enhance complex cognitive skill development
Cognitive skills such as reasoning, decision-making, and problem solving are best developed slowly, sequentially, and using active engagement
Begin with guided exposure to individual empirical articles and instructor guided data collection to fully independent research projects
By pursuing a scientific understanding of human thoughts and behaviors, students learn to ask answerable questions, design methodologically sound studies, appropriately analyze observations, and critically interpret results
Active and collaborative learning can increase student motivation and retention

15. Conclusions About Findings
The Research Process
Finding New Problem
Literature Review
Theoretical Concerns
Hypothesis
Research Plan
Conducting Project
Analyzing Findings
Conclusions About Findings
Preparing the Report
Sharing Results

16. P1.6 Don’t forget about ethics!
Institutional Review Board (IRB) External assurance that federal & ethical guidelines met
Follow informed-consent rules (understanding task and ensuring voluntary participation)
Respect confidentiality and privacy
Avoid any potential physical and psychological harm
Special considerations needed for vulnerable populations (including children, cognitively impaired persons, prisoners, , and educationally disadvantaged individuals) APA, 2003

17. Example Process Begin with a secondary source
Homework assignment to analyze the research P1.4
Generate possible research hypotheses/studies
Discuss possibilities in small groups and then whole class
Locate at least one empirical article to support a hypothesis P1.9
Select research design and ethics involved (esp. under-age data collection)
Collect data, discuss statistical analysis
Write a research report or create a PP research presentation

18. Examples of Research articles and Projects
Observational – Men and Women will use Different Greeting Rituals
Berman, P. W., & Smith, V. L. (1984). Gender and situational differences in children's smiles, touch, and proxemics. Sex Roles, 10(5-6), doi: /BF
Survey - Introverted and Extroverted Students use Facebook for different reasons
Winerman, L. (2013) What draws us to Facebook? Monitor, 44(3),
Correlation – Personality Similarities of Dating Couples in Short-term and Long- Term Relationships
Youyou, W., Schwartz, H. A., Stillwell, D., & Kosinski, M. (2017). Birds of a feather do flock together: Behavior-based personality-assessment method reveals personality similarity among couples and friends. Psychological Science, 28, 276– 284.
Experimental – Impact of Phone Usage in a Classroom Environment P
Stothart, C., Mitchum, A., & Yehnert, C. (2015). The attentional cost of receiving a cell phone notification. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 41(4),

19. QUESTIONS?

20. References Cited
American Psychological Association (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist. 57: 1060–1073. doi: / x
Pavlov, Ivan Petrovich
Pavlov, I. (1906). The scientific investigation of the psychical faculties or processes in the higher animals (The Huxley lecture). Lancet, I,
Seppa, J. (2010). Journal retracts flawed study linking MMR vaccine and autism mmr-vaccine-and-autism
Smith, R.A. & Davis, S.F. (2013). The psychologist as detective (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Wakefield, A.J. et al. (1998). Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet, 351: