1. Introductions Psych 231: Research Methods in Psychology

2. Your syllabus It is on-line. Write down the following address (in a couple of places) and bookmark it. www.psychology.ilstu.edu/jccutti/psych231/fall2005syllabus.html

3. 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 Chris (sections 02 & 04) Andrew (sections 03 & 05) “Hands on” experiences with research In-lab exercises Group research project

4. Why take research methods? “Because it is required” Other good reasons: 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”

5. 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

6. 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%)

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

8. Textbooks Optional APA Publication Manual (5th edition)

9. 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

10. Exercise: How do we know? Write down two things that you “know”. Write down HOW you “know” those things.

11. Methods of Inquiry Type of knowledge Objective - having “real” existence outside of a person’s mind Subjective - existing in a person’s mind Ways of knowing Analysis - finding supporting evidence Acceptance - taking as true

12. Methods of Inquiry ObjectiveSubjective Analysis Acceptance Empiricism (Experience) Logical reasoning Authority Instruction Regulation (rules & laws) Persuasion (by logical means) Personal preference Faith Intuition

13. Methods of Inquiry The scientific method A method used to test and analyze claims about behavior Uses scientific methods of systematic observation and experimentation.

14. Next time Ways of knowing cont. Read chapter 1