Summer 2014
Classroom: Dawson Hall D114
June 2 – August 4, 2014
Every Monday
6:00-10:00 P.M.
Classroom: 6/2, 6/9, 7/28, 8/4
Online: 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21
Dr. Ray Redick, PsyD.
Office: 788-4065
Email: rredick@ben.edu
PRE-ASSIGNMENT:
1. Review the syllabus
2. Read Chapters 1 & 2 of textbook "Writing With Style".
PSYC 395 - SENIOR THESIS
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Completion of an original research project under faculty supervision, involving an original survey design,
case study or experimental analysis.
II. TEXTBOOKS:
Szuchman, Lenore (2014). Writing with Style: APA style made easy (6th Ed.). Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 978-1285077062
ISBN: 128-5077067
III. MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from
diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and
professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine
heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders
in the world community.
IV. GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Benedictine Core Goals
Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly
interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad
range of learning goals, listed below:
1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;
2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical
data;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include
 the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person in
community,
 the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and
institutions,
 scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of science on
the individual, society, and the environment, artistic and literary heritage;
4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence of
peoples and nations;
5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society;
6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations of
individuals and groups, and the common good.
B. Course Objectives/Outcomes
As a distribution course within the Core Curriculum, PSYC 395 was designed with the above Core goals
in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of Senior Thesis (PSYC 395), the student will be able to
demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes:
1. To design and complete research project.
2. To develop a familiarity with the proper APA (American Psychological Association) style.
3. To develop an understanding of social science research methods.
4. To become familiar with the basic techniques of social science research.
5. To develop, articulate and test hypothesis.
6. To identify and employ a research design strategy and recognize and address threats to the design
strategy.
7. To critically evaluate research articles for a literature review and describe and implement the
methodology to be employed in the thesis.
8. To apply descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to analyze the data.
9. To apply ethnical guidelines for conducting and evaluating research in social science and recognize
and avoid plagiarism.
10. To complete the thesis using the APA American Psychological Association publication style.
11. To communicate effectively in oral and written form.
V. TEACHING METHODS
Lecture/discussion/computer lab based statistical inquiry. Individual consultations with instructor and
students.
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own
learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any
absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation for it to be
considered excused. Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any,
accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and
each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final
grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately so it
may be determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Reading Assignments
It is expected that students will read and implement the writing formats noted in both the APA Manual and
in the Writing with Style textbook. Each week students will be assigned a research article to read and
review.
Written and Oral Assignments
Thesis (100 points)
The student must conduct a research project and produce a thesis by the end of the semester. Details
are attached. The thesis will be based on the proposal developed in the PSYC 299 Research Methods
course. The thesis must be submitted in class on the day it is due, or it will not be accepted and the
student will receive a failing grade for the assignment. Only students who submit a verified medical
excuse can make arrangements to submit the thesis late. We will be using SafeAssign for the
assignment. More detail will be provided in class.
Each student will submit a review of a research articles posted on D2L by the assigned due date. The
outline of the review will be given to the students during the first class. Each student will complete
chapters’ exercises and submit them by the assigned due date. Students are required to submit a rough
draft of their thesis for review. Instructor will provide feedback and recommendations.
Students must submit their assignments and papers via the D2L Drop Box Function.
Presentation (20 points)
During the class session, students will present their thesis to the class. The presentation should be about
45 minutes in length. Students may ask their family members or friends to attend their presentations.
Each student will provide a description of the project and the results of the study. Students will present
information using power point. If a student fails to do the presentation at the scheduled time, an F will be
given for the assignment. Students will post their progress weekly.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman
Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all
University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification,
destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations
and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to
exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may
result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding
the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses
normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic
dishonesty students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the
members of the class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class
have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to
approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of Dean of Academic Affairs.
Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic
dishonesty:
 a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment
 dismissal from the and a failing grade for the course, or
 dismissal from the institution
VII. MEANS OF EVALUATION
Evaluations will be made using the following point system:
Review of research articles
Chapters’ exercises
Thesis
Presentation
Total Points
10 points
10 points
100 points
20 points
140 points
A=140-126, B=125-112, C=111-98, D=97-84, F= below 83
The grade scale is as follows:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F below 60%
Grade Appeal Process
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing
to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the
grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed
the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a "C" or better,
and a student must submit a completed Request for an Incomplete form to the Registrar’s
Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility
(not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form,
with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the
Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII.
TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
First week assignment: Read Chapters 1-2 in Writing With Style. Be prepared to discuss in class.
Week
Date
Discussion Topic:
Week 1
6/2
Overview of the thesis
Review of literature and references
Chapters 1 & 2 in Writing With Style
Week 2
6/9
Review of methods and instruments
Discuss assigned research article
Chapters 3 & 4 in Writing With Style
Week 3
6/16
Post review of assigned research article
Complete exercises in Chapter 5 in Writing
With Style
Post thesis’ progress
Week 4
6/23
Post review of assigned research article
Complete exercises in Chapter 6
in Writing With Style
Post thesis’ progress
Week 5
6/30
Post review of assign research article
Complete exercises in Chapter 7 in Writing
With Style
Post thesis’ progress
Week 6
7/7
Post review of assigned research article
Complete exercises in Chapters 8 and 9 in
Writing With Style
Post thesis’ progress
Week 7
7/14
Post rough draft of Thesis
Post review of assigned research article
Week 8
7/21
Post feedback on review of rough draft
Post review of assigned research article
Week 9
7/28
Presentations Thesis due
Week 10
8/4
Presentations
IX. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to
participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course
requirements, should contact the Resource Center at springaccess@ben.edu or 525-1420,
Ext. 3306.
X. ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus.
Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other
Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of
instruction.
PSYC 395
Senior Thesis
Due date 7/28/14
- 15-30 pages in length, typed, double-spaced
- Use APA style
- Format:
 Title Page (2 points)
o Include title, author, organizational affiliation, running head
 Abstract one paragraph of less than 120 words (5 points)
o State the problem, the intent of the thesis, the methodology used, the findings,
and the implications.
 Introduction (15 points)
o State the problem and its importance, its background, the research question and
the variables which will be considered in the study.
 Literature Review (25 points)
o Describe the general theories which are related to the project, recent studies
related to the topic, and relevant methodological approaches from related
studies.
 Methodology (15 points)
o Describe the research design; detail the qualitative or quantitative approach, the
data collection methods including sampling, surveying or observational
techniques, and the data analysis technique which will be employed.
 Results (10 points)
o Describe the techniques used for conducting the data analysis, report the data,
emphasize the important results
 Discussion (15 points)
o Summarize the findings, describe the implications of the data analysis, address
the limitations of the approach
 Conclusion (5 points)
o Describe the applicability of the study, make suggestions for future research
 References (8 points)
o Use proper APA form
- Use your best writing and reasoning skills: points will be taken off for English errors.
- Do not plagiarize - Intentional plagiarism is grounds for an automatic failing grade. If you
must use someone else's work, give them credit. Cite using APA style. Plagiarism will not
be tolerated in this class. Intentional plagiarism will result in an automatic failing grade for
that assignment.