1. Psychophysiology and the Scientific Method Dr. Robin Musselman Lehigh Carbon Community College

2. Hypothesis Having students conduct “hands- on” psychophysiology experiments will promote a better understanding of the scientific method in psychology.

3. Variables Independent variable Hands-on experiments Dependent variable Understanding of scientific method

4. Control and Experimental Groups Control Group Sections of psychology that do not use any hands-on experiments Experimental Group YOU! Sections of psychology that are introduced to and use hands-on experiments

5. Research Design In my classes, I will first have a single class in which students will be first introduced to at least one methodology in psychophysiology

9. Research Design Students will then search for a research article and prepare the citation In class, small groups discuss the articles and begin to develop a hypothesis they wish to test

10. Research Design Each small group will propose a hypothesis to be tested Develop a research design Conduct the experiment Prepare a report of findings

11. Data Analysis

12. Weaknesses of the Study Time Development Hypothesis Testing Experiment Data Analysis Groups Missing group members

13. Weaknesses of the Study Methodology Informed Consent Distractions Number of participants Refinement of design

14. Strengths of Study Actual hands-on experience First attempt at research methods

15. Questions for Future Study How can I have all of the Introduction to Psychology students involved in this project? Do students who have had the hands- on experience learn differently than students without this experience?