SYLLABUS: RESEARCH METHODS (Psyc233-02)
Fall 2010
class TR @ 9:30-10:45pm (Ruffner 312/314)
lab Th @ 2-3:40pm (Ruffner G14)
Instructor:
Dr. Stephanie Buchert
Office: Ruffner 301
Phone: (434) 395-2348
E-mail: bucherts@longwood.edu
Website: www.longwood.edu/staff/bucherts
Office Hours: Monday 10-11; 2-3
Tuesday 12:45-1:45
Wednesday 10-11
other times by appointment (or just stop by my office)
Required Texts:
Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2009). Research Methods in Psychology (8th
ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
(6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Course Description:
Examination of the major problems of psychology and experimental procedures available for their
investigation. Lecture and one double-lab period. 4 credits.
Course Objectives:
Through satisfactory performance on three exams, weekly labwork, pop quizzes, and a research proposal,
students will demonstrate competence in:
1.
knowledge of the major research methods (including qualitative and quantitative methods) used in
psychology
2.
conducting literature reviews
3.
properly conducting research
4.
reporting research in APA style
5.
thinking critically about issues pertaining to research
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Mechanics of the Course:
1. Attendance
[from the student handbook…] Students are expected to attend all classes. Failure to attend class
regularly impairs academic performance. Absences are disruptive to the educational process for others.
This is especially true when absences cause interruptions for clarification of material previously
covered, failure to assume assigned responsibilities for class presentations, or failure to adjust to
changes in assigned material or due dates.
As per Longwood policy, your final course grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you have 10%
unexcused absences from both class and lab meetings. You will receive a final course grade of F if
you miss a total (excused and unexcused) of 25% of scheduled meetings. Absence from a lab meeting
counts as 2 regular class absences. Five tardies to any scheduled meeting equal one unexcused
absence. Tardies occur when you arrive after class has already begun. A tardy of over 30 minutes
will count as an absence.
Excused absences are those resulting from participation in a college-sponsored activity, from
recognizable emergencies, or from serious illness. Documentation will be required for all excused
absences within 2 days of the absence. If you miss class for any reason, be sure to get any notes that
you missed from a classmate. After you have reviewed the notes and read the text, I’d be happy to
(outside of class) answer specific questions you have about the material. I will not use class time to
address your questions regarding course material/announcements that you missed. This wastes both
my time and your classmates’ time.
If you do not come to class, you are still responsible for all material covered in class, for all
assignments due, and for any announcements made in class.
2. Academic Integrity
In accordance with Longwood University policy, any form of cheating or other abuse of the academic
process will not be tolerated. Violations of the Honor Code will be dealt with severely.
3. Common Courtesy
Rude or immature behavior will produce unpleasant results. The most serious consequence for this
type of behavior may be either removal from the classroom or Judicial Board charges. This type of
undesirable behavior may include, but is not limited to:
cell phones ringing/vibrating in class*
text messaging during class*
talking on the phone in the classroom, even during breaks or before class
using the internet during class (includes IM, etc.)*
having private conversations with classmates during class
coming to class blatantly unprepared (i.e., missing textbook, pen, having obviously not read, etc.)
*1st offenses of starred items will result in a loss of 5 points from your total final point value for the
course. Subsequent offenses may result in either the loss of 10 additional points or in one of the
more serious consequences listed above.
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Assignments:
1. Exams
There will be three exams during the course. The first two will not be cumulative. The final exam
will include a non-cumulative portion similar to the first two exams, plus a cumulative portion that
will build on everything you have learned throughout the semester. Each exam will consist of
multiple choice and short answer/short essay questions. Any material covered, including lectures,
labs, homework, and readings, is fair game for the tests.
The first two exams will be worth 100 points each, and the final will be worth 130 points. Your total
possible point value for exams is 330.
Makeup Exams
If you miss an exam, you must present me with an adequate written excuse (preferably before an exam
will be missed). This excuse must be handed in during my office hours, and I reserve the right to
decide on the adequacy of excuses. No excuses will be accepted one or more days after the test has
been missed. If an exam is missed and no makeup is taken, a zero will be earned for that exam. See
me at once (during office hours with a written excuse) if you miss an exam for any reason, or when
you anticipate missing an exam.
2. Labwork
You will be awarded participation points for each lab session. Points will be based on your adequate
contributions to the group lab assignments. In lab sessions, you will focus on collecting data using
various methods, as well as learning/using APA style. If you have an unexcused absence for a lab,
you may not make up your missed work for credit. If you have an excused absence for a lab, please
see me at once to work out other arrangements for your assignment.
Each lab will be worth 6 points, for a possible total of 60 points.
3. Research Proposal
The research proposal will enable you to combine everything you have learned from the course,
including how to conduct literature reviews, how to conduct research, and how to report research in
APA style. As part of this assignment, you will present your proposal using a poster format during a
poster session at the end of the semester. Issues that are relevant to the research proposal process will
be addressed and explained throughout the semester as necessary.
The proposal is worth a total of 215 points. For each calendar day that any portion of the paper
assignment is handed in late, 15% will be deducted from the grade for that assignment. Because each
assignment plays an extremely important role in your ability to complete subsequent assignments, you
may not submit any assignment without having already handed in all of the previous ones.
See pages 8-9 of the syllabus for more detailed information about this assignment.
4. Pop Quizzes
You will have 9 pop quizzes throughout the semester. They will be in multiple choice and short
answer format, and will cover text readings for that day in addition to previously covered class
material. Pop quizzes will be given during the first 5 minutes of class. There will be no makeup
quizzes for absent or late students. The lowest quiz grade (including missed quizzes) will be dropped.
Each pop quiz is worth 5 points, for a total possible point value of 40.
5. Extra Credit
You have the opportunity to earn up to 3 extra points toward your final total score (single points, not
percentage points). This can be accomplished by participating in research projects that are being
conducted by various psychology faculty and students. If you earn more than 3 points, only 3 points
will be added to your score. In order to participate in experiments, you must first sign up at
http://longwood.sona-systems.com. This is also where you will go to schedule your appointments.
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Grading:
The total possible number of points to earn for the course is 645 (exams = 330; labwork = 60; proposal = 215;
pop quizzes = 40). Grades will be assigned according to the following percentages:
A+ = 97-100%
A = 93-96%
A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89%
B = 83-86%
B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79%
C = 73-76%
C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69%
D = 63-66%
D- = 60-62%
F = 59% and below
See Page 5 of the syllabus if you would like to keep track of your grades for this course.
Students with Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please
let me know at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is
required. The Director of Disability Support Services can be reached at x2391.
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Grade Log for Research Methods (Fall 2010)
Exams
Exam 1=_____________ points out of 100 (______________%)
Exam 2=_____________ points out of 100 (______________%)
Exam 3 (Final)=_____________ points out of 130 (______________%)
COMBINED EXAM TOTAL=_____________ points out of 330 (______________%)
Labwork
scientific method lab= ___6____ participation points
APA1 lab= ____6____ participation points
IRB lab= ____6____ participation points
APA2 lab= ____6____ participation points
Method for between groups lab=____6____ participation points
Results & Table for repeated measures lab= ____6____ participation points
Results & Figure for complex design lab= ____6____ participation points
Observational research planning lab= ____6____ participation points
Observational research presentation lab= ____6____ participation points
Poster oral presentation lab= ____6____ participation points
COMBINED LABWORK TOTAL=_____________ points out of 60 (______________%)
Research Proposal
topic/IV/DV=_____________ points out of 15 (______________%)
refs=_____________ points out of 10 (______________%)
Introduction=_____________ points out of 15 (______________%)
Method=_____________ points out of 15 (______________%)
additional materials=_____________ points out of 10 (______________%)
poster session=_____________ points out of 35 (______________%)
final draft=_____________ points out of 115 (______________%)
COMBINED RESEARCH PROPOSAL TOTAL=_____________ points out of 215 (______________%)
Pop Quizzes
Pop Quiz #1=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #2=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #3=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #4=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #5=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #6=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #7=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #8=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
Pop Quiz #9=_____________ points out of 5 (______________%)
COMBINED POP QUIZ TOTAL (drop lowest)=_____________ points out of 40 (______________%)
Extra Credit
Research Study
Number of Points
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
TOTAL SCORE=_____________ points out of 645 (______________%)
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Course Schedule
This is only a tentative guide, since material may be added or deleted during the course, as time permits. If
changes are made, they will be announced in class as soon as possible. Labs are on Thursday afternoons.
DATE
ASSIGNMENTS TO
LECTURE TOPIC
LAB
BE COMPLETED
BY THIS DATE
T Aug 24
 introduction to course







Th Aug 26
T Aug 31
Th Sep 2
T Sep 7
Th Sep 9
T Sep 14
 proposal topic due
Th Sep 16
T Sep 21
Ch. 1 (p. 3-14): The Science of Psychology
Ch. 2: The Scientific Method
Ch. 1, cont. (p. 3-14): The Science of Psychology
Ch. 2, cont.: The Scientific Method
Ch. 1 (p. 14-19): Thinking Like a Researcher
Ch. 1 (p. 19-24): Getting Started Doing Research
using PsycInfo & the library
 Ch. 3: Ethical Issues in the Conduct of
Psychological Research
 Ch. 3, cont.: Ethical Issues in the Conduct of
Psychological Research
 Ch. 3, cont.: Ethical Issues in the Conduct of
Psychological Research
 review for Exam 1
Th Sep 23
T Sep 28
EXAM 1
 proposal References
due
 NO LAB
 scientific method
activities
 APA style
 IRB issues
 NO LAB
 Ch. 7: Independent Groups Designs
 between groups
design
T Oct 5
 Ch. 7, cont.: Independent Groups Designs
 Ch. 11 (p. 337-351): Quasi-Experimental
Designs
 Ch. 8: Repeated Measures Designs
Th Oct 7
 Ch. 8, cont.: Repeated Measures Designs
 APA style
Th Sep 30
T Oct 12
Th Oct 14
NO CLASS—FALL BREAK
 proposal Method
due
 Ch. 8, cont.: Repeated Measures Designs
T Oct 19
 Ch. 9: Complex Designs
Th Oct 21
 Ch. 9, cont.: Complex Designs
T Oct 26
Th Oct 28
T Nov 2
 proposal
Introduction due
 repeated measures
design
 complex design
 Ch. 9, cont.: Complex Designs
 review for exam 2
 NO LAB
EXAM 2
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DATE
ASSIGNMENTS TO
BE COMPLETED
BY THIS DATE
 Ch. 4: Observation
Th Nov 4
T Nov 9
 proposal additional
materials due
Th Nov 11
T Nov 16
Th Nov 18
T Nov 23
LECTURE TOPIC
 proposal final draft
due
 Ch. 4, cont.: Observation
 Ch. 6, cont.: Unobtrusive Measures of Behavior
 Ch. 5: Survey Research
 observational research
group presentations
 Ch. 5, cont.: Survey Research
 poster oral
presentations
 Ch. 5, cont.: Survey Research
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING
T Nov 30
 Ch. 10: Single-Case Designs and Small-n
Research
 review for final exam
Thursday,
Dec 9th
11:30am2pm
 planning for
observational research
 Ch. 6: Unobtrusive Measures of Behavior
Th Nov 25
Th Dec 2
LAB
FINAL EXAM (EXAM 3)
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 poster session
Written Research Proposal Guidelines
The research proposal can cover any topic that you choose to explore within the field of psychology.
It will include all parts of an APA-style paper, including a title page, abstract, introduction, method, results,
discussion, references, figures, and appendix. You will not actually conduct the research; therefore, the
method, results, and discussion should not be written in past tense as you would in a normal paper (they will
be written in the future tense).
Proposals will include only 1 independent variable and 1 dependent variable. You must use either a
true or quasi-experimental design. The proposal must be “doable” at Longwood. Be sure to adequately
operationally define your variables. Be sure to clearly state your hypothesis and the rationale behind your
proposal.
You will have various assignments pertaining to the research proposal throughout the course. For
each of the assignments (#1-7) that you do not turn in, you may not submit any further assignments without
having already handed in all of the previous ones. Late assignments will be penalized by 15% per calendar
day late.
Many assignments will be handed in via Blackboard, and also graded via Blackboard. You will
submit these assignments via the “Assignments” button on Blackboard. Please read the following information
carefully to know which assignments will be turned in on Blackboard, and which ones will be turned in
during class.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
proposal topic: a paragraph detailing your topic, including your IV, DV (and operational
definition), hypothesis, rationale, and the title/authors/journal name of at least one well-suited
reference15 pointsdue on Blackboard by 9:30am on due date
References (at least 6): APA style; staple 1st page of each article to back of your refs section in
ABC order10 points  due by 9:30am in class on due date
Method: should include as much detail as possible for both sections; written in future
tense15 points due on Blackboard by 9:30am on due date
Introduction: should be structured appropriately & include at least 8 citations/references;
written in past tense; include updated References section; NO plagiarism15 points due on
Blackboard by 9:30am on due date
additional materials: tables, figures, or appendixes that you will include with final draft; do
NOT make up data10 points due on Blackboard by 9:30am on due date
poster session: conform to poster guidelines, answer questions in a professional and
knowledgeable manner, dress appropriately35 points (not doing this assignment will result
in failure for the course)
final draft: between ~8 and 12 pages, at least 9 references, abstract, manuscript, IRB proposal
forms, (title of document: “Lastname RM proposal”)115 pointsdue on Blackboard by
9:30am on Thursday, November 18th
For the final draft, you should have addressed all feedback and changes to be made from previous
drafts. Hence, your final draft will look quite different from previous drafts. If you have not addressed all
previous feedback, your grade will reflect this.
All portions of the assignment must conform to APA style requirements as described in the 6th edition
of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. All assignments submitted in class
should be stapled, typed in size 12 font, with 1-inch margins in each direction, and double-spaced. All
assignments should include an APA-style title page.
Mechanics and grammar will be weighted as heavily as content. It is expected that there will be no
spelling or basic grammatical errors. It is also highly recommended that you have a friend proofread your
work, as it is impossible to catch all of your own mistakes.
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Other grading criteria for the paper will include:
1.
Style (e.g., repetitiveness, general vocabulary, conformity to APA standards)
2.
Organization (e.g., relationship of topics to overall purpose, logical flow of topics, coherence
of paragraphs)
3.
Subject matter sophistication (e.g., use of concepts and terms, accuracy in descriptions of the
literature, reasonableness of conclusions)
Papers should be based on at least 9 primary empirical sources (i.e., *journal articles*, books, or book
chapters).
Secondary sources and use of direct quotations are not appropriate.
Keep an extra copy of your work for your own files in the event that a paper is lost or misplaced. Back
up your computer files! (This goes for any work you may do for this class.)
Plagiarism is unacceptable under any circumstances. The consequences of plagiarism in this class will
be, at the very least, failure for the entire course, and at the most, facing Honor Board charges. This
includes paraphrasing information without citing it, or using direct (or almost direct) quotations without using
quotation marks. And, since direct quotations are not appropriate for this assignment anyway, your entire
proposal should be written in your own words with proper citations. See the following links if you have
questions about plagiarism. Your APA manual also covers this issue.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
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General Rules For Assignments






Assignments received after I have already collected the class’s assignments are considered late and will either
not be accepted at all, or will be penalized by a point deduction (depending on the assignment).
All in-person assignments must be stapled prior to coming to class. If the assignment is too thick to staple,
use a paper clip. Assignments turned in via Blackboard must be submitted before the time they are due.
All assignments should be typed in easy-to-read (not blurry) black ink.
All assignments should include one-inch margins.
All assignments should be accompanied by an APA-style title page.
Assignments received via e-mail will not be accepted unless you have received prior permission to do so. I
delete all emailed assignments without reading them unless I have pre-approved them.
Spelling/Word Mixups to Watch Out For

then (time period) / than (for comparison)
 First, we’ll go to the grocery store and then we’ll go to the mall.
 My paper is longer than yours.

to / too (also; excess) / two (number)
 We are going to the store.
 I like to go shopping, too. You’re spending too much money.
 I have two dogs.

affect (verb/action)/ effect (noun/result)
 The weather greatly affects whether I want to go to school.
 Researchers examined the effects of drinking soda on weight gain.

their (possession)/ there (a place)/ they’re (they are)
 The students grabbed their bags and left the classroom.
 I will go there when I find the time.
 They’re not the kind of people you want to associate with.

your (possession)/ you’re (you are)
 Could you lend me your book?
 You’re not going to be back in time for dinner?

its (possession)/ it’s (it is)
 The cat rolled over onto its back.
 It’s not a problem if you want to see the later movie.

data is plural
 The data show that cats are better than dogs.

use participants instead of subjects when referring to human beings
 The participants completed a questionnaire.
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