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Instructor |
Teaching Assistant |
Textbook
Required: Leary, M. (2004) Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods (4th Edition). Allyn & Bacon.
Required: Meehan, A.M., & Warner, C.B. (2000). Elementary Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel. McGraw-Hill.
Available at University Bookstore (in Student Center).
Course Details
This is a course in which you will learn about the scientific method of investigation and some fundamentals for conducting psychological research. The course includes five hands-on outside projects that may be done in groups. You choose whether to work with others and with whom to work. One paper will be turned in for each group - all group members receive the same grade and the requirements for people working alone are the same as for those working in groups. All assignments must be typed, follow the APA guidelines discussed in class, and be placed within an explanatory context. Grades on the projects will be assessed according to content and presentation.
Most of the projects will involve using Microsoft Excel to for statistical analysis and graphing. Some of the discussion sections will be meeting in a computer lab on campus - if you aren't attending discussion sections regularly, you will miss the announcements as to when you'll be meeting in the computer lab and where it is!
In addition to the five projects, there will be three multiple choice exams, occasional unannounced in-class assignments during lecture, and attendance at the discussion section. Your final grade is based on the following weighting: assignments/quizzes (5%), discussion section attendance (5%), first midterm (10%), second midterm (15%), cumulative final (20%), and projects (45%).
Makeup/Late Policy, Complaints, and Cheating
There will be ONE (1) makeup for each exam. In order to take the makeup, you will need to provide a completed explanation of absence along with appropriate documentation (e.g. excuse signed by medical professional along with phone # and patient id, copy of funeral notice, police report). Apologies, but requiring documentation for all types of absences is the fairest policy. Late assignments without accompanying documentation accrue a late penalty.
Complaints and cheating will be handled in accordance with the policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Persons with disabilities
If you have a documented disability requiring special accommodations for exams or assignments, contact the TA within the first two weeks of class so special arrangements can be made. Please do not wait until right before an exam.
Attendance
Attendance is strongly encouraged. A lot of material will only be presented in the lecture and discussion sections and there will be unannounced quizzes/assignments. Do not ask me or the TA for notes.
Dates |
Topic in Text | Leary Chapter | M&W Chapter |
8/25 |
The Science of Behavior | 1 | 1&2 |
8/27 - 9/3 |
Behavioral Variability | 2 | 3 & 5 |
9/8 - 9/10 |
Measurement of Behavior | 3 | |
9/15 - 9/22 |
Describing and Presenting Data | 5 (pp. 130-142) | 4 |
9/24 |
Review | ||
9/29 |
First Midterm | ||
10/1 |
Sampling | 5 (pp. 117-129) | |
10/6 - 10/8 |
Correlational Research and Regression | 6 and 7 (pp. 174-182) | 12 & 13 |
10/13 - 10/15 |
Basic Issues in Experimental Research | 8 | |
10/20 - 10/27 |
Single-Factor and Factorial Designs | 9 | |
10/29 |
Review | ||
11/3 |
Second Midterm | ||
11/5 - 11/10 |
Analyzing Experimental Data I: Hypothesis testing and t-tests |
10 | 7 |
11/12 - 11/19 |
Analyzing Experimental Data II: ANOVA | 11 | 9 |
12/1 |
Single Case Research | 13 | |
12/3 |
Ethical Issues | 14 | |
12/8 |
Publishing and Scientific Writing | 15 | |
12/10 |
Review for Final | ||
12/15 5:50-7:50 pm |
Final Exam |
Projects due on Tuesdays in class: 9/15, 10/6, 10/20, 11/10, 12/8
Late Penalties: 10% for projects turned in a day late, 20% for those turned two days late with a maximum penalty of 25% off for those turned in up to a week late (after that point, no late assignments will be accepted). If you're going to turn it in late, I recommend that you either hand it directly to me or the TA or have it initialed and time-stamped in the Psychology Office.
Course material (syllabus, grades, helpful links) are available on-line at: http://www.psychology.siu.edu/bcs/facultypages/young/ResearchMethods.html.