Chabot College
Fall 2002
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Psychology 2
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL METHODOLOGY
Catalog Description:
2- Introduction to Psychological Methodology
3 units
Introduction to scientific method in the study of human and animal behavior.
Experience in designing, performing, and reporting behavioral science
experiments and surveys. Includes fundamentals of research design, hypothesis
testing, and reasoning in inferential statistics. Strongly Recommended:
Psychology 1. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
explain elementary research designs in the behavioral sciences;
define terminology and conventions used in research journals;
use Psychological Abstracts;
write research reports (APA format);
explain the logic of hypothesis testing;
apply the rationale of statistical inference;
evaluate critical issues in behavioral research and philosophy of science;
demonstrate an understanding with the field of psychology;
identify career opportunities in psychology.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction: epistemological considerations
Essential features of the scientific method
Methods of observation: a comparison of correlational and experimental
approaches
Achieving control by design and randomization
Elementary research designs in behavioral science
a.
between group designs
b.
within group designs
c.
factorial designs
Reporting Research
a.
American Psychological Association format
Chabot College
Course Outline for Psychology 2
Fall 2002
Page 2
Course Content Cont’d:
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
b.
use of Psychological Abstracts and journals
The logic of hypothesis testing
The rationale of statistical inference
Asking good research questions: the importance of theory
Survey methods
Issues in behavioral research and philosophy of science
Fields of psychology, career opportunities in psychology
Methods of Presentation:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Reading, writing projects on, and discussing examples of research
b.
Group research project
c.
Analysis of a journal article
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Exams and quizzes
b.
Research papers
c.
Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Methods in Behavioral Research, Cosby, Mayfield Publishing Co., 2001 or latest
edition.
Taking Sides, Slife, Dushkin Publishing Co., 2001 or latest edition.
Special Student Materials:
None.
Tf: A/Psy2.doc
REVISED: 2-12-2002