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Western Oregon University Research Methods – Psychology 301W Tuesdays/Thursdays Fall 2015
Professor: Debi Brannan, Ph.D. Office Hours: M & W 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. Office: Todd Hall, Room 330 or by appointment Telephone: (503 )751-4200 Email: [email protected]
Course Description This course will provide an introduction to research methodology and a basic framework to critically evaluate social and behavioral science research. You will be exposed to and tested on the major concepts and methods for generating hypotheses and designing a research project. This course should enable you to evaluate more critically the claims of “experts” in the popular press as well as in the scientific literature. You will apply your knowledge by conducting a psychological experiment, writing an APA style paper, and presenting the results.
Required Texts: 1. Ray, W. J. (2005). Methods: Toward understanding a science of behavior and experience (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. There is a 9th edition available but in an effort to save students money, we will be using the 8th edition. You can check this book out at the library for no cost (for one term). The 9th edition may be different and using it may negatively affect your ability to answer questions on exams.
2. American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
3. Schwartz, B.M., Landrum, R.E., & Gurung, R.A.R. (2014). An EasyGuide to APA Style (2nd ed). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
NOTE: You must attend at least one class during the first week. Failure to do so will result in you not being allowed to participate in the course. As stated in the Western Oregon University course catalog: Students registered for courses for which they fail to appear at the first two class sessions may be dropped from the class roster by the instructor. If dropped (for such reason) from the class roster by the instructor, the student must formally drop the course by submitting a drop form to the Registrar’s Office on or before the official drop date. Otherwise the student will be held academically responsible for the grade in the course.
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Course Objectives: Students will understand and apply the scientific method in developing an independent research project. Students will develop an ability to design, conduct and critique research. Students will develop an understanding of how ethical principles relate to scientific inquiries and develop a project that meets ethical guidelines. Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to apply the basic principles and techniques employed in the scientific method. Students will demonstrate proficiency in writing scientific reports, which adhere to guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association. Students will establish an appreciation for the benefits as well as the limitations of social and behavioral science research.
Course Guidelines: There are a number of requirements for this class. If you find any of them infeasible, please see me or consider taking this class at another time. (1) It is critical that you attend each class. I cannot stress this point enough. To obtain the learning objectives above attendance is critical and mandatory. (2) Please try not to be late. It is very disruptive for students to come in late (and leave early). Be considerate and come to class on time. (3) It is also critical that you have read the assigned chapters before class. Being prepared will allow you to ask questions that you might have regarding the materials and it will allow us to have more in-depth conversations. (4) Check Moodle often. I use Moodle as a way of giving you information outside of the classroom. In addition, you will find a copy of the syllabus there, as well as assignments, and postings from other students. (5) In the classroom, I encourage comments and questions; however, I insist that each class member be treated with respect. If any class member feels he or she has not been treated with respect, please see me immediately. (6) For the health and general courtesy of all, this is a smoke-free class; this includes: aerosols, mists, and vapors. (7) All service animals must be approved by ODS in order to attend class. (8) Because this class is so fast paced and there will be a lot of classroom conversations, no computers are allowed. I will go over why I have this policy in-depth on the first day of class. (9) Absolutely NO cell phones allowed on the desks in class; they are extremely disruptive to fellow students and the professor. Please turn off your ringers and place your phone in your backpack.
Attendance Policy: Attendance in this class is critical to achieving a firm understanding of psychological research methods. If you must miss a class, go to Moodle as soon as possible and request notes from fellow classmates – better yet, introduce yourself to two students in class and get their name and number. That will give two people to call or email immediately if you are unable to attend class. There will be a lot of information presented during class and conversations that may be helpful in writing the paper, doing the assignments or taking quizzes; thus, I highly suggest that you attend each and every class. Also, if you miss Brannan, PSY 301W, 3 a class please do not expect the entire class to stop so that we might catch you up with the content. Please come see me ASAP.
Point Values Associated with Each Requirement Quizzes 40 points Final Exam 10 points Assignment 1 - PsycInfo Assignment 5 points Assignment 2 – Draft 1: Introduction 10 points w/ References Revised Introduction, Method, Assignment 3 – Draft 2: References, and 10 points Appendices Final Paper 15 points Poster Presentation 10_ points 100 points (e.g., 100%) Class activities will COST points. **Remember that class activities cannot be made up outside of class**
The following scale will be used for all projects, exams, and your final grade:
A 93-100 C 73-76 A- 90-92 C- 70-72 B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69 B 83-86 D 63-66 B- 80-82 D- 60-62 C+ 77-79 F 0-59
Quiz/Final Exam Format: Quizzes will be multiple choice and short answer. These quizzes will be on Moodle. You will be allowed to take the quizzes up to 11:00 p.m. on the final “open” day of the exam (see syllabus for quiz schedule – All quizzes open on a Thursday and then close on a Sunday). If you do not complete the exam during the designated days in which the exam is available, you will not have an opportunity to make it up. The quizzes are open for many days, so be sure to mark your calendars so you do not forget to take them. Again, no makeup quizzes are allowed. **Just a reminder – once you start the exam you will only have the allotted time to complete the quiz. You cannot stop and start the quiz – once you start you must finish it within the allotted timeframe**. The Final Exam will be on Moodle and it will be comprehensive.
If you fail to achieve the 75% mark on a quiz, you may submit a remediation assignment for that quiz. If all the questions are completed correctly you will receive an 80% for that quiz. To be eligible to submit a remediation assignment you must have made a complete attempt on the quizzes (e.g., attempted to answer every question). Remediation is not permitted for the final exam. (See Moodle for remediation schedule and instructions).
In-Class Activities: In-class activities are exactly that – IN CLASS activities. If these activities are missed they cannot be made up. Many of these activities require group conversations and group involvement; thus, it is not possible to do them outside of the Brannan, PSY 301W, 4 classroom. Some class activities will take place during two class periods – if you miss one of the two classes then you will lose points on that activity. Please note these activities are a substantial part of your grade. The point value for each activity depends on the complexity of the class activity but the total possible points that can be lost due to class activities is - 20% of your total grade
Extra Credit: By participating in research you can earn extra credit. I will go over EC possibilities during class.
Class Presentations: Each student will have two required class presentations. These presentations are required and students may not progress with their research project until they get approval after each presentation. Consequently, it is necessary for each student to be in attendance on the days of the presentations.
Assignments All work (other than class activities) should be typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins and 12 point, Times New Roman type. If written work is more than one page in length, all pages must be CONNECTED together. Work that fails to meet any of these specifications will NOT be accepted. Also, all papers must be independent projects.
Every assignment must be submitted on Moodle before the subsequent assignment can be turned in. For example, if a person fails to turn in Assignment 2 then Assignment 3 will not be accepted. EACH ASSIGNMENT MUST BE COMPLETED in full and must receive a C- or higher to move on in this course.
All assignments must be submitted through Moodle. I will not accept assignments submitted using any other modality (e.g., e-mail, hard copy, fax). Assignments will be considered late and graded accordingly if they are not submitted through Moodle prior to the assignment deadline; even if you submitted the assignment on time using another modality.
Assignments are due on the day indicated on the syllabus. Assignments turned in after the deadline will be accepted at a 50% discount. Late assignments must be submitted through Moodle. No late assignments will be accepted if they are more than 10 weekdays have passed since the assignment was due. Students must do every assignment in order. For example, a student must receive feedback on Assignment 2, make all the necessary corrections, then turn in Assignment 3. In other words, no assignments can be skipped.
***NO ONE can reserve a library room, obtain red extra credit slips and/or collect data until they have a) completed both presentations, b) submitted Assignments 1, 2, and 3 and c) received (in written permission) from the professor that they may collect data. Any student who collects data without completing each one of these requirements will be reported to the chair of the division. No exceptions.***
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Posters The department has one printer that is designated to print all research posters; consequently, posters need to be turned in on time to ensure that they can be printed before the poster presentations. If you do not turn your poster in on time then you MUST meet with the professor in her office as soon as possible to discuss alternative options. Posters turned in 24 hours after the deadline will be accepted at a 50% discount; posters turned in after that timeframe will received a zero. Late posters must be submitted through Moodle.
Statement for Student Researchers: Student researchers are expected to assume responsibility for conducting research projects in a professional manner. In the event that a researcher must cancel a scheduled research or testing session for any reason, the researcher is expected to a) contact participants through email or phone if such information is available to notify them of the cancellation, and b) the researcher must post notice of cancellation at the research site prior to the testing session time or c) the researcher must contact the research site, at least 30 minutes in advance, to ask that notice of study cancellation be posted. To cancel a study in Hamersly Library contact the front desk at 503 838-8899. To cancel a study in WUC contact the front desk at 503 838-8261. To cancel a study in Todd 106 contact Linda Kunze at 503 838-8334. Additionally student researchers are expected to provide a list of the names of participants eligible to receive extra credit for the canceled study to Linda Kunze in Todd Hall 325 within 2 days of the cancelled study. NOTE: Such cancellations should only be made under emergency circumstances and not for the simple convenience of researchers. Failure to follow this procedure may result in having points deducted from your final paper grade at a rate of 10 points per incident.
Technical support issues Students will be expected to have regular access to a computer capable with up-to-date multi-media capabilities and a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are systems available on campus if that is your only alternative, but you should then expect to spend a substantial amount of time in the labs. You need to already possess the computer skills necessary to operate and maintain your own computer system, access and effectively use the Internet, use e-mail, participate in discussion rooms and threads, take on-line exams, create files, save files, open different file types, rename files, upload files, download files, and install and update software. You will also need a current Web Browser and Office Suite Software. I do not provide technical support for accessing the class web site, WOU Online, or WOU e-mail. If you have issues with your computer call your computer manufacturer or retailer for help. If you have issues logging onto WOU Online, or with your WOU e-mail contact WOU UCS help desk ([email protected] or 503-838-8925). If you have not previously used WOU Online, go to online.wou.edu for information.
Online Component This course uses WOU Online (also call Moodle). Your login and password will be the same as your official WOU network username and password. Please follow these steps to access the online component of the course: 1. Go to http://online.wou.edu Brannan, PSY 301W, 6
2. In the upper right corner, enter your WOU network username and password. 3. You now have access to WOU Online. To get access to PSY 301, click on the appropriate course category on the left, then click the link for your particular course.
Possible Problems: • You are not able to login to WOU Online. Have you setup your WOU network username and password? If not, please go to the following website: http://www.wou.edu/provost/online/index.php and look under “Campus Resources” for instructions on how to find this information.
Getting Help If you're having problems, training and assistance with online classes is available in the Technology Resource Center, located in IT204. You may also call 503-838-8965 or email [email protected].
If you are having technical difficulties with a WOU computer, or if you have gone through the Account Lookup steps without success, please contact Computing Services, located in IT009, at 503-838-8925. Please note that Computing Services offers limited to no support for machines not maintained by WOU
Equipment or Internet Issues Each assignment and due dates are included in this syllabus and are posted on Moodle in advance; consequently, technological issues are never a valid excuse for late work. Please make sure to make multiple backup copies of your work and store these copies in different locations. For example, you may want to have copies of your paper on your hard drive, network drive, and a portable storage device. Technological failures on my side (i.e., Moodle being unavailable) will be handled on an as needed basis.
Grade disputes: All grade disputes must be submitted in writing (typed) and will be accepted up to one week following the return of the quiz, assignment or examination. The written grading dispute should clearly articulate your justification, or principled argument, for the grade adjustment. Points may be added, subtracted, or remain unchanged
Audio Recording: If you want to request permission to make audio recordings of the lectures, please contact the professor. Permission to make audio recordings is only granted if the student signs an agreement, which specifies acceptable use of the recordings. Out of respect for other students’ right to privacy, videotaping the lectures is generally not allowed.
Appointments: My office hours are listed at the top of this document. If my designated office hours do not work, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will try to accommodate your schedule. In addition, anyone who receives a C or lower on their quizzes should make an appointment to see me. My goal is to see that you succeed in this class, so if you feel that you are not performing at a level that you would like and/or you are not understanding the material, let’s meet so that we can we figure out a way to help you be successful. Brannan, PSY 301W, 7
Academic Risk: If the instructor determines your performance in this class is placing you at academic risk, You may be referred to Jesse Poole, Western’s Student Success Specialist. Jesse will offer to work with you to address issues and develop a student success strategy. Regardless of whether a referral has or has not been made, you are ultimately responsible for tracking your own progress in this course. If you would like to meet with Jesse regarding any academic struggles you are experiencing, please contact the Academic Advising and Learning Center at 503-838-8428
Family Emergency: If you experience a death in the family or a family emergency, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (503.838.8221 – WUC 210) and inform them of your situation. They will contact your professors and simply state that a death or family emergency has occurred. It is only after a call from this office will I consider allowing students to make up quizzes, accept late assignments without points being deducted, or take a make-up exam outside of the regularly scheduled make-up time.
Student Conduct: All aspects of this course are bound by the University’s Code of Student Responsibility. I will rigorously enforce this policy and expect honest, respectful and attentive behavior from every class member. Cheating or plagiarism on written assignments and/or tests will lead to immediate and serious academic consequences. (The Code of Student Responsibility can be viewed online at the following address: http://www.wou.edu/student/judicial/pdf/Code_of_Student_Responsibility.pdf).
Academic Honesty Code of Student Responsibility 574-031-0030 Specific Standards and Policies
The papers in this class are independent projects – any cheating, plagiarism, facilitating, fabrication or any other dishonest behavior will not be tolerated. The following list of prohibited forms of conduct is not all inclusive since it is not possible to list all potential violations. The University requires that all students behave in a manner congruent with established community standards and in a manner conductive to the development of the individual. Actions detrimental to the mission of the University and the legitimate activities of the academic community which constitute the University are in violation of this Code and may be subject to judicial procedures.
Academic dishonesty, which includes but is not limited to: (a) Cheating- intentional use or attempted use of artifice, deception, fraud, and/or misrepresentations of one’s academic work;
(b) Fabrication- unauthorized falsification and/or invention of any information of citation in any academic exercise;
(c) Facilitating dishonesty – helping or attempting to help another person commit an act of academic dishonesty. This includes students who substitute for other persons in examinations or represent as their own papers, reports, or any other academic work of others; Brannan, PSY 301W, 8
(d) Plagiarism- representing without giving credit the words, data, or ideas of another person as one’s own work in any academic exercise. This includes submitting, in whole or in part, prewritten term papers of another of research of another, including but not limited product of commercial vendor who sell or distribute such materials. And the appropriation of and/or use of electronic data of another person or persons as one’s own, or using such data without giving proper credit for it; or
(e) Any use or attempted use of electronic devices in gaining an illegal advantage in academic work in which use of these devices is prohibited, and such devices include but are not limited to cell phones, pdas, laptops, programmable calculators, etc.
Communication Important announcements, supplemental resources, and other information may be available through e-mail. Consequently, all students are expected to have an active WOU account and to check this account regularly for information, assignments, etc. Conversely, you may contact me via e-mail but unless otherwise indicated, I typically respond to e- mails during normal business hours (e.g., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). I will only respond to e- mails from your WOU accounts and my responses will also go to your WOU accounts.
Course Changes The professor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the syllabus (e.g., schedule changes, exam changes, policy changes) during the course of the class. Every attempt will be made to provide students with adequate advance notice of impending changes to the syllabus. It is the student’s responsibility, however, to be aware of any changes made to the syllabus, regardless of class attendance.
Incompletes. A grade of ‘I’ may be assigned when the quality of work is satisfactory but an essential requirement of the course has not been completed for reasons acceptable to the instructor. To change an incomplete to a letter grade the student must complete the work within 12 months following the award of the ‘I’. Special extension may be granted by petition, if approved by the instructor and the Registrar’s Office, but for a period no longer than an additional 12 months. Beyond the maximum 24-month period the incomplete becomes permanent. At the discretion of the instructor the ‘I’ may be retained or it may be changed to a grade.
Additionally: THE WOU FACULTY HANDBOOK states: Incomplete grades should be issued only to students who are lacking a class requirement that can realistically be completed within a reasonable time. They should not be used as a way for a student to avoid a failing grade.
Disability Statement It is University policy to provide, on an individualized basis, accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Use of ODS services, including testing accommodations, Brannan, PSY 301W, 9 requires prior authorization by ODS and compliance with approved procedures. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Dr. Brannan to discuss their individual needs for accommodation. Students needing medical or mental health care can access the Student Health and Counseling Center by calling 503-838-8313, emailing at [email protected], or by walking in to schedule an appointment. Mandatory Reporting As an employee at Western Oregon University, I am required by federal law to report any incident of sexual misconduct. If you wish to talk with me about something that has occurred to you or another student, I must inform university personnel. Reporting this information helps the university to safeguard students and get students the help and support needed. You have the right to maintain your privacy. I will only report what you confide in me. If you would like additional information about sexual misconduct response at WOU, please visit the website at www.wou.edu/student/assault_care.php
Military Service Personnel (active duty or returning): Veterans, reservists or active duty military personnel (or family members) with special circumstances are encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to me so that we can discuss appropriate accommodations. For WOU Veteran resources; please see http://wou.edu/veterans/.
Service Animals. Students who require the use of a Service Animal in non-public areas of the campus (including classrooms, offices, etc.) must request an accommodation through the WOU Office of Disability Services. Please refer to the Office of Disability Services website at http://www.WOU.edu/student/disability/ or call (503) 838-8250 for more information.
*This course outline and syllabus may be modified at the discretion of the professor. Any changes will be announced in class and the revised documents will be posted on Moodle.
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Week Date Chapters/ Topics Assignments Quizzes
9/29 Introduction Choose Topic 1 Chapter 1 – What is Science
10/1 Chapter 1 – What is Topic DUE Quiz 1 Start on Science On 10/3 by 11:00 10/1 at 6:00 a.m. Chapter 2 – p.m. and closes on 10/5 Introduction to the at 11:00 p.m. Methods of Science NOBA – Research Designs Ted Talk – Arthur Benjamin (link is on Moodle) ------Read Chapters 1 & 2 in EasyGuide before 10/1 class.
2 10/6 Library Training Session - Library Room HL108
10/8 Chapter 3 – Assignment 1 Due Quiz 2 (opens on Developing a 10/10 by 11:00 10/8 at 6:00 a.m. Hypothesis p.m. on Moodle and closes at Developing a 10/12 @ 11:00 hypothesis video – p.m.) see link on Moodle
Chapter 15 – Sharing the results: Writing a research paper/APA style
Mixed Methods Paper (pdf is on Moodle) Brannan, PSY 301W, 11
______Read Chapter 5 & 7 in EasyGuide before 10/8 class
3 10/13 Chapter 7 – Control: The Keystone of the Experimental Method Video – TED Talk (link on Moodle)
Read Chapters 3 & 4 in EasyGuide before 10/13 class
10/15 Presentation 1 Quiz 3 (opens on 10/15 at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 10/19 @ 11:00 p.m.)
4 10/20 Chapter 4 – Description of Behavior Through Numerical Representation Scales of Measurement video (link on Moodle) Read Chapter 6 in EasyGuide before 10/20 class
10/22 Chapter 11 Quasi- Quiz 4 (opens on Experimental, 10/22 at 6:00 a.m. Correlational and and closes at Naturalistic 10/26 @ 11:00 Observational p.m.) Designs Brannan, PSY 301W, 12
Scales of Measurement video (link on Moodle)
5 10/27 Chapter 13 – Questionnaires, Survey Research and Sampling
10/29 Chapter 13 – Assignment 2 Quiz 5 (opens on Questionnaires, (first draft of the 10/29 at 6:00 a.m. Survey Research paper) Due – and closes on 11/3 and Sampling 10/29 by 10:00 at 11:00 p.m.) Read Chapter 8 in p.m. EasyGuide before 10/29 class
6 11/3 Chapter 14 - Ethics
11/5 Presentation 2 Quiz 6 (opens on (this is required 11/5 at 6:00 a.m. to continue –see and closes on 11/9 above in the at 11:00 p.m.) syllabus and this cannot be rescheduled)
Chapter 10 – The 7 11/10 Ecology of the Experiment
11/12 Introduction to Assignment 3 Due Chapter 5 and 6 – on 11/11 by Quiz 7 (opens on Inferential 11:00 p.m. – be 11/13 at 6:00 a.m. Statistics; Making sure to include all and closes on Statistical Decisions the IRB 11/16 at 11:00 6 short videos information. p.m.) online **No reserving Brannan, PSY 301W, 13
rooms or collecting data until you have written approval from the professor
8 11/17 Data Analysis Meetings
11/19 Data Analysis Meetings
9 11/24 *****THIS CLASS IS BRING SPSS MANDATORY***** OUTPUT TO CLASS
11/26 No class – Posters due on Happy Sunday, November Thanksgiving 29th by 9:00 p.m. – THEY MUST BE TURNED IN ON TIME Chapter 5 – Quiz 8 (opens on 10 12/1 Inferential 6/3 at 6:00 a.m. Statistics; Making and closes on 6/7 Statistical Decisions at 11:00 p.m.) Ted Talk: Peter Donnelly_ How juries are fooled by statistics (Link on Moodle) Chapter 6 – Testing Hypotheses
12/3 Final Poster Presentation Final Exam – WUC Comprehensive – this exam will cover all chapters (opens on 12/2 at 6:00 a.m. and Brannan, PSY 301W, 14
closes on 12/9 at 11:00 p.m.)
Final Paper Due 12/5 by 11:00 p.m. NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED
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