COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH (CoBRES)
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE NUMBER
PSY 2103
COURSE NAME
Introduction to Research
NUMBER OF CREDITS
Four (4)
CONTACT HOURS
Four (4)
COURSE DAY
Monday Wednesday 8-10 pm
TUTORIAL
Wednesday 9-10 pm
Total hours per semester:
60 hours
EXEMPTIONS:
None
PRE & Co- REQUISITES
None
LECTURER:
La-Toya Arthur-Tucker, BSc. (Hons), MSc
E-mail:
la-toya.arthur-tucker@uog.edu.gy
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 am (by appointment)
Semester:
One
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE
Scientific research is an important tool in navigating this complex world. Psychological
research is critical in understanding, predicting and possibly controlling human behaviour.
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts in psychological research. Students
will be taught current and pertinent research principles associated with in psychological
research. It will enable them to think and reason critically, utilizing terms and ideas specific
to the discipline of psychology.
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the student will be able to:

Identify their personal values and explain how these values can affect the counselling
relationship.

Understand the importance of theoretical influences to each therapeutic approach

Outline the major theoretical approaches to counselling.

Relate the steps in the client-centered counselling approach and the psycho-analytic
approach.

Defend the usefulness of an eclectic approach to counselling; and

Demonstrate active and basic listening skills in a simulated counselling environment.

Have an appreciation and understanding of the ethical guidelines that govern the
profession of psychology
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
COURSE CONTENT
Week
Topic
Reading
Assignment
1.
Introduction: What is Research and what is Chapters 1
Dates
September 4 & 6, 2023
Psychological Research
2.
Types of Psychological Research Methods
Chapter 2
Sept 11 & 13, 2023
3.
Types of Psychological Research Methods
Chapter 3
Sept 18 & 20, 2023
4.
Variability & Measurement
Chapter 5
Sept 25 & 27, 2023
5.
Sampling Techniques and Methods
Chapter 5
Oct 2 & 4, 2023
6.
Scientific Writing
Chapter 6
Oct 9 & 11, 2023
7.
Elements of a research Proposal
Chapter 6
Oct 16 & 18, 2023
8.
Semester Break
Oct 23 & 25, 2023
9.
Non-experimental Research & Correlations
Chapter 8
October 30 & Nov 1
10.
Non-experimental Research & Correlations
Chapter 9
Nov 6 & 8, 2023
11.
Experimental Research
Chapters 10 & Nov 13 & 15, 2023
11
12.
Experimental Research
Chapters 12 & Nov 20 & 22, 2023
13
13.
Ethical Issues in Psychological Research
Chapters 4
Nov 27 & 29, 2023
14.
Ethical Issues in Psychological Research
Chapters 4
Dec 4 & 6, 2023
15.
Final Examination
All Content
TBA
TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Class lectures and discussions will be used to deliver course content throughout the
course.

Administration of worksheets will be utilized to afford students the opportunity to
practice as they acquaint themselves with the terms and procedures.

Utilization of Group Activities to foster heathy interpersonal skills.

The use of videos and other resources that can contribute to the simplification of
content.
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Assessments
Quiz (October 4, 2023) (This will be done on campus)
Students will be assessed on concepts and statistical principles that were covered from the
commencement of the semester to the week preceding the semester break. This assessment will be
scored out of 20 marks and will contribute 10% towards the student’s overall course grade. This exam
will consist of multiple choice, true or false, short answers and essay questions.
Group Research Project (November 29, 2023) (This will be done on campus)
Students will work in groups to develop a research project. Research topics will be allocated to the
student groups by the lecturer. Students will then complete a written paper, no less than 20 pages
(please see further specification so for this assignment stated thereafter). The 20 pages should be
inclusive of references pages and a cover page. Students will also align their research information
with local sources. Students will then present their paper using PowerPoint and will use numerical
data gathered for their statistics project. This assignment will contribute 30% towards each student
final grade. The 30% will be subdivided as follows: written paper: 20%, PPT 10%
Topic
Group
Implications and benefits of using hookers
Group One
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Group Two
Impacts of suicide on surviving family members
Group Three
Benefits of understanding different personality types
Group Four
cognition and perception
Group Five
Psychological effects of Prostitution
Group Six
Factors influencing early sexual engagement among teenagers
Group Seven
The written paper should be submitted via Moodle where turn it software will be used. Please
note that assignments with Turnitin scores that exceed 25% will be returned ungraded. Please
strive to do original work where it will be in the green 1-24%
Research Paper format Outline
Cover Page (APA Standards)
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Section One
Introduction
Section Two
Literature Review

Background to the topic

Definition of key terms related to the topic

Theoretical Guidelines aligned with topic

Exploring research on the topic
Section Three
Possible areas for further research
What can be done locally to expand the existing body of literature
Section Four
Conclusion
References
PowerPoint Presentations should not exceed 12 slides
Final Exam (TBA) 60% (This will be done on campus)
This is a comprehensive exam that will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of statistical
concepts and procedures. This exam will consist of a combination of items, multiple choices, True or
False, short answer, fill in the blank and essay questions. The lecture reserves the right to make
adjustment to the format; however, should this be the case students will be duly informed. The exam
is worth 60% of your grade, and it will be graded out of 100 points.
GRADING SCHEME:
A = 80% to 100%
B = 70% to 79%
ASSESSMENT
Coursework – 40%
Final exam – 60%
C = 60% to 69%
D = 55% to 59%
F = Below 55%
TEXTBOOKS
Morling, B. (2020, December 1). Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of
Information (Fourth). W. W. Norton & Company.
Additional Resources
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Creswell, D. (2022, August 22). [Research Design] 5th edition Qualitative, Quantitative, and
Mixed Methods Approaches 5th Edition by [John Creswell], [David Creswell].
Independently published.
LIBRARY DATABASES
Arizona State University Library Digital Repository
URL: https://repository.asu.edu/
EBSCOhost
URL: http://search.ebscohost.com/
Jstor
URL: http://www.jstor.org
Research 4 life
https://www.research4life.org/
(DRJI) Directory of Research Journals Indexing
URL: http://olddrji.lbp.world/
(DOAJ) Directory of Open Access Journals
URL: https://doaj.org/
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Rubric for the Final Project – Presentation
Points
Content analysis,
application and
reasoning (12 points)
Points
Professionalism and
group cohesion (3
points)
Points
Speech and delivery
(5 points)
Poor 0 – 3
 Student has not answered
any requirement stated in
the assignment.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were poor for
the undergraduate level
 No mention was made
about any local data or
examples
Poor 0 – 0.5
 Student’s attire was
unprofessional.
 Student’s conduct was
unprofessional
 Group was disorganized
and segmented
Poor 0 – 1
 Student’s expression and
use of the English language
was poor.
 Student failed to
consistently grasp the
attention of the audience.
 There was no tone
modulation and control
Fair 3.5 – 6
 Student has answered
questions in vague and
ambiguous terms.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were minimal
for the undergraduate
level
 Minimal mention was
made about local data
with examples
Fair 0.6-1.0
 Student’s attire was fairly
professional.
 Student’s conduct was
fairly professional
 Group was fairly organized
and slightly segmented
Fair 1.5 – 2.5
 Student’s expression and
use of the English
language was fair.
 Student fairly grasp the
attention of the audience.
 There was little tone
modulation and control
Good 6.5 – 9
Excellent 9.5-12
 Student has answered some  Student has answered all
of the requirement stated in
the requirement stated in
the assignment.
the assignment.
 Content analysis and
 Content analysis and
reasoning were good for
reasoning were excellent
the undergraduate level.
for the undergraduate level
 Adequate mention was
 Sufficient mention was
made about local data with
made about local data and
examples
examples were relevant.
Good 1.1–2
 Student’s attire was
professional.
 Student’s conduct was
professional
 Group was organized and
showed unison
Excellent 2.1-3
 Students excellently
represented professional
attire.
 Student’s conduct was
professional and above
average
 Group was organized and
the unison was excellent.
Good 2.6 – 3.5
Excellent 3.6 - 5
 Student’s expression and
 Student’s expression and
use of the English language
use of the English language
was good.
was excellent.
 Student grasped the
 Student consistently grasp
attention of the audience
the attention of the
well.
audience.
 There was moderate tone
There was excellent tone
modulation and control.
modulation and control
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Rubric for the Written Work
Points
Content analysis,
application and
reasoning (19points)
Points
English & APA
Formatting (7 points)
Points
Evidence of Research
(4 points)
Poor 0 – 4
 Student has not answered
any requirement stated in
the assignment.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were poor for
the undergraduate level
 No mention was made
about any local data or
examples
Fair 5-9
 Student has answered
questions in vague and
ambiguous terms.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were minimal
for the undergraduate
level
 Minimal mention was
made about local data
with examples
Poor 0 – 1.5
Fair 2-3.5
 Writing has multiple
 Writing has spelling errors
spelling errors and does not
and minimally adheres to
adhere to APA principles.
APA principles.
 Student’s written
 Student’s written
expressions are not at the
expressions are minimally
undergraduate level.
at the undergraduate level
Poor 0 – 1
Fair 1.5-2.5
 Writing has no evidence of  Writing little evidence of
research.
research.
 Student’s written
 Student’s written
expressions does not reflect
expressions reflects
any synthesizing of
minimal synthesizing of
research data with course
research data with course
content for the
content for the
undergraduate level.
undergraduate level.
Good 10-14
 Student has answered some
of the requirement stated in
the assignment.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were good for
the undergraduate level.
 Adequate mention was
made about local data with
examples
Excellent 15-19
 Student has answered all
the requirement stated in
the assignment.
 Content analysis and
reasoning were excellent
for the undergraduate level
 Sufficient mention was
made about local data and
examples were relevant.
Good 4-5.5
 Writing has a few spelling
errors and adheres to a
large extent to APA
principles.
 Student’s written
expressions are at the
undergraduate level
Good 2.6-3
 Writing has good evidence
of research.
 Student’s written
expressions reflect good
synthesizing of research
data with course content for
the undergraduate level.
Excellent 5.5-7
 Writing is excellent and
demonstrates adherence to
APA principles.
 Student’s written
expressions are at the
undergraduate level.
Introduction to Research Methods @2023-2024
Excellent 3.1-4
 Writing has adequate
evidence of research.
 Student’s written
expressions reflect
substantial synthesizing of
research data with course
content for the
undergraduate level.