RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC.314, section .009
Spring session, 2016
Bryan D. Devan, Ph.D.
CLASS MEETING: TUES/THUR CLA BLDG RM LA 2101 2:00-3:15 PM
LAB MEETING:THUR CLA BLDG RM LA 2101 3:30-5:20 PM, SEE BELOW SCHEDULE
OFFICE AND PHONE: LA 3146; 410.704.3727
OFFICE HOURS: Mon/Tue 3:20-4:20 PM; Wed 11:30-12:30 PM ; Thur: 1:00-2:00 PM; or by appointment
EMAIL: bdevan@towson.edu
WEBSITES:
Homepage: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan
Class website: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/PSYC-314%20slides.htm
Other resources: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/Res%20_Meth.htm
Lab website (LCN): http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/LCN.htm (Internet Explorer only)
TEXTBOOK:
Myers, A. and Hansen, C. (2012). Experimental Psychology (7th Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth. (You may
use the 6th Ed. of this textbook)
PREREQUISITES:
You may remain registered for this course only if you have passed “Introduction to Psychology” (PSYC 101 or
its equivalent), "Behavioral Statistics" (PSYC 212 or its equivalent) and "Writing for a Liberal Education" (ENGL
102 or its equivalent) with at least a grade of "C" (2.00 GPA) in each course. If this is not the case, it is your
responsibility to drop the course immediately. Please present a transcript (either official or unofficial) to me
by the second course meeting so that I can verify that you have successfully completed the course
prerequisites. An unofficial transcript may be printed by going to online services on the Towson University
website. http://www.towson.edu/registrar/Records/Transcript_Request.asp
UNIVERSITY CORE – ADVANCED COMPOSITION / ADVANCED WRITING LEARNING GOALS:
Because this course fulfills the General Education I.D / University Core 9 requirement Advanced Composition /
Advanced Writing, the knowledge and skills you will obtain over the course of the semester will enable you to
do the following via writing research papers in psychology:
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recognize and employ models and practices of written communication specific to a particular discipline
or profession (i.e., psychology).
recognize and employ techniques of formatting and documentation appropriate to a particular
discipline or profession (i.e., APA-style).
integrate material effectively from outside sources into their own prose.
analyze and evaluate complex discipline-based claims and current research questions.
demonstrate clear, effective prose, including through the practice of revision.
produce professional prose that follows accepted conventions of grammar, punctuation, and style.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In order to meet the learning goals described above, specific learning outcomes for PSYC 314 include gaining
of knowledge and/or increased competence in:


thinking empirically using logical thinking in a research context.
critically examining and evaluating claims and information about behavior.
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appreciation of ethical issues in psychological research.
reading and critically evaluating journal articles in psychology.
using online research databases with a critical eye and distinguishing between “good” sources and
“poor” sources of online information.
abilities to organize, summarize, and interpret data.
using SPSS for data entry and calculation of various descriptive and inferential statistics.
communication of research via writing and presenting psychological research.
using APA-style appropriately
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be four equally weighted exams in this course covering material from the textbook and lectures.
Exams are given on the dates scheduled. Make-up exams will only be given if an exam is missed due to a
medical emergency or a religious holiday (a doctor’s note with the physician’s phone number must be
presented in case of a medical emergency). No other reasons will be accepted. If you are going to miss an
exam, you must contact me in advance of the exam. If you do not contact me in advance, you will not be
permitted to make up the exam and will receive a 0 for that exam. All makeup examinations will be short
essay in format and must be completed within three days of the student’s return to class. It is the student's
responsibility to arrange this time with the instructor.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Written assignments: Each student will submit 4 written assignments as follows:
1- Introduction and References (10 minimum) (50 pts.)
2- Methods (20 pts.)
3- Results (20 pts.)
4- Final Report in APA Format (40 pts.)
Lab assignments (10 pts.): During the course of the semester students will be assigned laboratory activities
that are designed to assist with the completion of the above written assignments, mastery of textbook
material and to meet the objectives of the course outlined above (Goals 1-4). Handouts of the assignments
will be given in class or lab meetings and posted on the class website.
Participation in research project (10 pts.): Students will complete a virtual navigation task during lab time in
order to generate a sham data set that will be used by the class to complete part of the written assignments.
Further details will be provided in class.
Attendance and Participation in class discussion (10 pts.): Attendance is essential to good performance in this
course. A maximum of 10 points will be awarded for attendance in lecture, class discussion and attendance in
lab. An attendance sheet will be circulated at the end of each class period and organized laboratory activity.
GRADING:
Four equally weighted exams (35 pts. each) in multiple-choice format will be given. Taken together, the four
exams will be worth 50% of your grade. The remaining 50% of your grade will be based on the lab
assignments described above. Late written assignments will be penalized 10% of the point value for each day
the assignment is late (including Sat and Sun). The final breakdown of points available on the tests and lab
assignments is as follows:
Examinations
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Exam #4
Course Components
= 35 pts.
= 35 pts.
= 35 pts.
= 35 pts.
Introduction and References = 50 pts.
Methods section
= 20 pts.
Results section
= 20 pts.
Final paper
= 40 pts.
Abstract
(10 pts)
Discussion
(20 pts)
Overall
(10 pts)
Lab assignments
Research project (vMWM)
Attendance/Participation
_______
Total Exam pts = 140
Total assignment pts
= 10 pts.
= 10 pts.
= 10 pts.
_______
= 160
Total points for the course = 300
Letter grades will be determined using the following scale:
94 – 100 %
A
(281 – 300 pts.)
90 – 93 %
A(269 – 280 pts.)
88 – 89 %
B+
(263 – 268 pts.)
82 – 87%
B
(244 – 262 pts.)
80 – 81%
B(239 – 243 pts.)
78 – 79%
C+
(234 – 238 pts.)
70 – 77%
C
(210 – 233 pts.)
67 – 69%
D+
(200 - 209 pts.)
60 - 66%
D
(180 - 199 pts.)
Below 60%
F
(less than 168 pts.)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY EXPECTATIONS:
Towson University’s full policy to address the variety of behaviors that represent a breach of academic
integrity can be found in Appendix F of the University Catalog. In addition, if you type in “Academic Integrity
Policy” in the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the Towson University webpage, you will be taken
to a page of links. Click on “Towson University Policies” and open the “Academic Affairs” link. You will find a
link to the full Academic Integrity Policy at that location. The site can be accessed by clicking the following
link: https://inside.towson.edu/generalcampus/tupolicies/documents/0301.00%20Student%20Academic%20Integrity%20Policy.pdf
POLICY ON LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
Letters of recommendation may be required if you plan to apply to graduate or medical school. As a policy, I
do not provide letters for students based on performance in a single class. It is important to get real research
and laboratory experience when applying to programs in order for your application to be competitive.
Consequently, I only write letters for students who have conducted research in our lab for at least 1 year. This
policy ensures that I will be able to provide truly exceptional students with a substantive recommendation in
the highly competitive fields of behavioral neuroscience and psychopharmacology. Typically, I will present
students with the opportunity to work in our lab after they have demonstrated exceptional performance in
class and as a lab volunteer during a trial period in which the student may demonstrate their competencies,
dependability and dedication to gain valuable research experience. Only then will they be invited to become a
lab member and register for PYCH.391/PSYC.491 where they may engage in research activities that will
become the basis of a letter of recommendation. Getting an A grade in lecture class, helping with lab chores
during a trial period as a lab volunteer or other non-research activities do not, in my mind, provide enough
evidence/material to write a strong letter of recommendation, consequently it is a waste of both my time, and
the student’s time and finances if the minimal requirements described above are not met.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. There are several types of plagiarism. The most obvious variety
occurs when an individual presents someone else’s ideas as his/her own. This plagiarism can be avoided
simply by giving credit to the appropriate source. A second type occurs when credit has been given but the
individual uses the same wording or nearly the same wording as the source. This also is plagiarism and can be
avoided by substantially recasting the idea in your own words. Looking at someone else’s paper during an
exam or giving aid to someone else during an exam will be interpreted as cheating. The first instance of either
plagiarism or cheating will result in an automatic zero for the examination or assignment in question. The
second instance will result in an automatic failure of the course and possible suspension from the University.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is expected and is necessary for good performance. Attendance will be taken on a regular
basis and will be factored in your final grade (see above). You are responsible for any material or information
presented in class, whether you attend or not. I strongly recommend that you make arrangements with
others in the class ahead of time to find out what you will miss if you cannot attend class.
REPEATING THIS COURSE:
University policy states that a student may not repeat a course more than once without specific prior
permission from the Academic Standards Committee. If you have taken this course twice before and have not
received written permission from the Academic Standards Committee to take the course a third time, you
should not be registered in this course - please consult the Registrar's office about the procedure for
petitioning the Academic Standards Committee.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
For any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me
during my office hours. A memo from Disability Support Services authorizing your accommodations will be
required.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
In the event of a University-wide emergency, course requirements deadlines and grading schemes are subject
to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the
instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar
and/or grading scheme. In the case of a University-wide emergency, I will attempt to communicate with you
via your Towson e-mail address, the course website (see above) and/or the course Blackboard site. Please
refer to the following about changes in this course:
Course web page (see above)
Instructor’s email (see above)
For general information about any emergency situation, please refer to the following:
1) Towson University’s Website: www.towson.edu
2) TU Text Alert System: This is a service designed to alert the Towson University community via
text messages to cell phones when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the
campus to function normally. Sign up:
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/police/campusemergency/
GENERAL INFORMATION: Please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that emit audible sounds during
class. This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
COURSE OUTLINE (Subject to change as necessary)
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Date
Jan 28
Feb 2, 4
Feb 9, 11
Feb 16, 18
Feb 23
Text Chapter/ Reviews
Ch 1, Ch 16
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 5
Documentary
Exams/Paper sections
Feb 25
March 1
Review
March 3
March 8
March 10
Ch 6
Ch 7
Ch 8, Documentary
Early Introduction (Th, optional)
March 15, 17
Spring Break
March 13-20
March 22
Review
Introduction Due
References Due
Exam 1
March 24
March 29, 31
Apr 5
Exam 2
Ch 9
Ch 10
Apr 7
Apr 12
Documentary
Review
Methods Due
13
Apr 14
Apr 19, 21
Ch 12
14
15
16
Apr 26, 28
May 3, 5
May 10
Ch 13
Ch 15
Review
Results Due (Th)
8am – 10am
Final Exam (not cumulative),
Final Paper Due (ALL SECTIONS,
including Discussion and Abstract)
Finals Tue, May 17
Exam 3
LABORATORY SCHEDULE (Subject to change as necessary)
Week Date
Topic
1
Jan 28
Prerequisite documents due
2
Feb 4
Methods Overview
3
Feb 11
Design and Topics
4
Feb 18
Online psychology resources
5
Feb 25
APA style & Cite/Ref programs
6
March 3
Statistics (descriptive)
7
March 10
Data Collection
8
March 17
Spring Break
9
March 24
Data Collection
10
March 31
Conference Session (Methods)
11
Apr 7
Graphing
Building/Room
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
CK 526 Cook Library
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
12
13
14
Apr 14
Apr 21
Apr 28
15
May 5
Statistics (inferential)
Statistics (review)
Results
Conference Session (Results,
Discussion & Abstract)
LA 1117 Research lab
LA 1117 Research lab
LA 2101 Classroom
LA 2101 Classroom
SPRING 2016 CALENDAR
JANUARY 25
(MONDAY)
JANUARY 28
(THURSDAY)
FEBRUARY 2
(TUESDAY)
CHANGE OF
SCHEDULE HAS BEEN
EXTENDED THROUGH
FEBRUARY 3.
FEBRUARY 22
(MONDAY)
MARCH 13-20
(SUNDAY-SUNDAY)
MARCH 21
(MONDAY)
MARCH 22
(TUESDAY)
MARCH 25
(FRIDAY)
APRIL 4
(MONDAY)
APRIL 19
(TUESDAY)
MAY 7
(SATURDAY)
MAY 10
(TUESDAY)
MAY 11
(WEDNESDAY)
MAY 17
(TUESDAY)
Classes begin
Change of Schedule period begins
Last day to drop or add for 1st 7-week courses
Change of Schedule period ends
Last day to drop a course with no grade posted
to academic record
Last day to add a course
Last day to withdraw from 1st 7-week courses with
a grade of "W"
Spring Break
Classes resume
Mid-Semester & end of 1st 7-week courses
2nd 7-week courses begin
Last day to drop or add for 2nd 7-week courses
Last day to withdraw from full semester course with a grade of "W"
Last day to change to Pass or Audit grading options
Last day to withdraw from 2nd 7-week courses
Last Saturday class
Last day of classes
Final examinations begin
Last day of examinations & end of semester
Final Exam Schedule
EXAM HOURS
8-10 AM
10:15 AM-12:15 PM
12:30-2:30 PM
3-5 PM
5:15-7:15 PM
7:30-9:30 PM
MAY 11
WED
MWF, MW, WF
12-12:50 pm
MW
3:30-4:45 pm
TR
9:30-10:45 am
MAY 12
THUR
TR
12:30-1:45 pm
MWF, MW, WF
11-11:50 am
TR
3:30-4:45 pm
MAY 13
FRI
FREE
MWF, MW, WF
1-1:50 pm
ALL SECTIONS
ACCT201-202
FIN331
FRI
FREE
MWF, MW, WF
2-4:45 pm
8-8:50 am
Classes starting from 4:00 - 5:30 pm meet on their regularly scheduled evening.
Classes starting at 6:00 pm or later meet on their regularly scheduled evening.
MAY 16
MON
MWF, MW, WF
10-10:50 am
TR
8-9:15 am
MWF, MW, WF
9-9:50 am
MW, WF
2-3:15 pm
MAY 17
TUE
TR
2-3:15 pm
FREE
TR
11 am-12:15 pm
FREE