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PSYC 204 - Experimental Psychology
Fall 2011 Lab Syllabus
Section 903
TEACHING ASSISTANT INFORMATION
Name: Steven Jarrett
Office:
Office hours:
Bldg., St. Chem Monday 2-3pm or
Rm. 206
By appt.
Contact Info:
E-mail: sjarrett@neo.tamu.edu
Phone: 979-862-8410
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This laboratory course consists of a series of active learning activities and writing assignments that
provide students with an introduction to common methods and procedures used in psychological research,
experience in analyzing data collected in such research, and communicating results to the scientific
community. The specific learning objectives in this lab are:
1)
2)
3)
4)
To learn about classic research paradigms used in experimental psychology by active participation
in computerized experiments using the PsychMate software package;
To learn how to write effective reports of psychological research studies using APA format;
To learn how to search the PSYCINFO computer database for psychological literature and read
journal article reports of psychological research for citation in your research papers;
To gain experience and expertise in interpreting empirical results from psychological research
studies presented in tabular and graphic formats.
GRADING POLICY
The maximum total score for all required lab activities and written assignments is 265 points. These points
are allocated as follows:
LAB GRADING CRITERIA
 PsychMate Participation (5 modules)
50 points
 PSYCINFO article summary assignment
15 points
 Written Assignments (APA draft reports [6])
100 points
1. Title and References (10 total points: 5 pts. first draft; 5 pts. revision )
2. Abstract (10 total points: 5 pts. first draft; 5 pts. revision )
3. Method (20 total points: 10 pts. first draft; 10 pts. revision )
4. Introduction (20 total points: 10 pts. first draft; 10 pts. revision)
5. Results (20 total points: 10 pts. first draft; 10 pts. revision)
6. Discussion (20 total points: 10 pts. first draft; 10 pts. revision)
 Final Research Paper (APA format)
100 points
Total
265 points
LAB ATTENDANCE
Attending lab is mandatory. You are allowed one unexcused absence (for any reason). Each subsequent
unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 5 points from your overall grade. Material missed due to an
unexcused absence will NOT be covered by your TA outside of lab. Absences will be considered excused
if the student provides appropriate documentation in accordance with Texas A&M policy (see Section 7,
Student Rules, http://student-rules.tamu.edu ). It is your responsibility to contact classmates (not the
instructor) to obtain any materials presented or distributed in missed labs. It is recommended that you have
the email addresses of a few classmates in case you miss a lab.
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CLASS PARTICIPATION
You are expected to take an active role in lab activities and class discussions. This component will include
attentive participation in computer experiments in PsychMate and active participation in discussion of class
results.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
There will be 6 written homework assignments (Title page and References, Abstract, Introduction, Method,
Results, and Discussion) over the course of the semester and one PSYCINFO article summary. These
assignments are structured to familiarize you with research methods and to provide instruction and practice
in how to write up research in APA-style format. ALL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPEWRITTEN, except for the answers to questions from your PsychMate experiments (these assignments will
be handed in to your TA at the end of lab sessions). The Introduction, Results and Discussion can be used
as drafts for your final research paper.
For each written homework assignment, you will have the opportunity to earn some of your points the first
time you turn it in and then you will have the opportunity to earn the second half of your points upon
making revisions based on feedback provided by your TA and turning in a revised version of your
assignment. Please resubmit the marked up copy of the first draft with your second draft.
FINAL PAPER
One of the main written assignments of this lab course is your final APA-style research paper. Your final
paper (8-10 pages, double-spaced) will be a synthesis of several draft writing assignments (e.g,
Introduction, Results, Discussion), along with some new written material (e.g., Abstract, Method, Results).
Your final paper will be based on one of the research modules done in the lab. You will be allowed to
select which module you will write your final paper over. Be thinking about this as you go through the
modules. The module you select for Assignment 4 – the Introduction – will likely be the assignment you
write your final paper over.
LATE POLICY
 Homework assignments will be collected during the lab session on the corresponding due date.
Assignments can be turned in before the lab session. Late assignments will be penalized 1 point for
every day late. This policy applies regardless of the presence or absence of the student during the
lab session, so arrange with a fellow classmate to hand-in your assignment if you are unable to
attend the lab on the due date for University-approved reasons.
 Final paper will be penalized 5 points for every day late. Your final paper is due on Tuesday,
November 29 in lab.
OTHER INFORMATION
Written assignments should follow APA format as described in the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition
(please see TA for further information on APA format requirements).
All assignments should be completed individually. However, it is okay to get feedback on your written
work from others, including class members. Effective communication of scientific work is not always easy
and takes long practice to master. Make sure to ask questions of your lab TA as you work on your report
drafts and final paper.
Please Note: Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and may result in an F in the course! See Aggie
Integrity and Plagiarism Statements below.
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TENTATIVE LAB SCHEDULE
Note: This is a tentative lab schedule and may be changed by your TA with advanced notice.
Week/ Day:
TOPIC/ ACTIVITIES
Week 1
8/30
Week 2:
9/6
NO LAB
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Review lab syllabus and policies
Library use and PSYCINFO
database search methods.
PSYCINFO article summary
assigned today.
Reading research papers: Why?
How? What’s good?
Week 3:
9/13
Week 4:
9/20
Introduce PsychMate software
package—Create login IDs and
passwords, students join lab class
online.
 Rotation
 Executive Control
 Measure: Personality
 Human Factors
Read Getting Started Guide in
PsychMate text (pp. G1-G14) and
Chapters for the 4 modules we will
do in class
Reaction Time Procedures Module
 Number of Choices
 Stimulus Probabilities
Read RT chapter (5.1).
Submit PsychMate data and
answers to module questions (10
points)
Join lab class in PsychMate
system.
PSYCINFO article summary
assignment due today.
(15 points)
Overview of APA Format
Week 5:
9/27
Stroop Effect Module
 Single Trial
APA Format: Title Page, References
Week 6:
10/4
Automaticity & Stereotyping
Module
APA Format: Abstract
Read Stroop chapter (1.5).
Submit PsychMate data and
answers to module questions (10
points)
WA #1 assigned today.
Read A&S chapter (3.5)
Submit PsychMate data and
answers to module questions (10
points)
Writing Assignment #1 Due: Title
& References pages for Stroop
study.
4
WA #2 assigned today.
Week 7:
10/11
Generation Effect Module
APA Format: Method Section
Week 8:
10/18
Prisoner’s Dilemma Module
APA Format: Introduction
 Components of Intro section
 Writing an outline
 Writing the Intro section
 Writing workshop
Read GE chapter (2.11).
Submit PsychMate data and
answers to module questions (10
points)
Writing Assignment #2 Due:
Abstract (120 words max.) for
A&S study.
WA #3 assigned today.
Read PD chapter (3.1).
Submit PsychMate data and
answers to module questions (10
points)
WA #4 assigned today.
Writing Assignment #3 Due:
Method section for GE study.
Revised Writing Assignment #1
Due: Title & References pages for
Stroop study.
Week 9:
10/25
Week 10:
11/1
APA Format: Results Section
WA #5 assigned today.
Data Analysis Using SPSS.
Writing Assignment #4 Due: Draft
Intro section for final paper.
APA Format: Discussion Section
Revised Writing Assignment #2
Due: Abstract (120 words max.)
for A&S study.
WA #6 assigned today.
Writing Assignment #5 Due:
Results section for final paper.
Revised Writing Assignment #3
Due: Method section for GE study.
Week 11:
11/8
APA Format: Putting it all together. Revised Writing Assignment #4
Discuss components of required final Due: Draft Intro section for final
paper.
paper.
Week 12:
11/15
Questions on final papers discussed.
Writing Assignment #6 Due:
Discussion section draft for final
5
paper.
Revised Writing Assignment #5
Due: Results section for Prisoner’s
Dilemma study.
Week 13:
11/22
Week 14
11/29
NO LAB
THANKSGIVING
Review/discuss feedback on draft
writing assignments
Revised Writing Assignment #6
Due: Discussion section draft for
final paper.
Final Paper Due
ADA Policy Statement:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for a
reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, call
845-1637.
Plagiarism:
As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own ideas, words, writings, etc., which
belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work
of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have permission of that person. Plagiarism
is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which
research cannot be safely communicated. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult
the latest version of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty.”
(http://student-rules.tamu.edu )
Academic Integrity Statement:
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.” The Aggie Honor System Office rules and
procedures are available at: www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/ .