Psychology 300B: Understanding Psychology Research II
Spring 2015, Section 04-(32548)
Instructor: Dee Bailey
Office DDH B121
Email: dbailey2@csub.edu
Phone: 396-7324 (Message)
Webpage: http://www.csub.edu/~dbailey2/
Office Hours: M/W 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Class Meetings:
Mondays/Wednesdays: Science III 123, 3:00 pm – 5:05 pm
CSUB Catalog Course Description: Understanding research articles and reaching
conclusions across research articles; comparing/contrasting research
methodologies; critical thinking about evidence and explanation; formulating
and conducting empirical research; multivariate designs and statistical
analysis; training in protection of human and animal subjects. Prerequisite:
Grade of C or better in PSYC 300A or 250.
Required Texts:
Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences: Fifth Edition
ISBN: 13: 978-1-285-07702-4
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: Sixth Edition
ISBN: 13: 978-1-4338-0561-5
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
Students who are entitled to accommodations under the ADA can contact me at their
earliest convenience to make appropriate arrangements. I adhere to all rules and
regulations set forth by CSUB’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office
http://www.csub.edu/UnivServices/SSD/. (Tel. 654-3360)
Student Learning Outcomes:
Outcome 1.1: Characterize the nature of psychology as
a discipline.
Outcome 2.1: Describe the basic characteristics of the
science of psychology.
Outcome 2.2: Explain different research methods used
by psychologists.
Outcome 2.3: Evaluate the appropriateness of
conclusions derived from psychological research.
Outcome 2.4: Design and conduct basic studies to
address psychological questions using appropriate
research methods.
Outcome 2.5: Follow the APA Ethics Code in the
treatment of human and nonhuman participants in the
design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of
psychological research.
Outcome 2.6: Generalize research conclusions
appropriately based on the parameters of particular
research methods.
Outcome 3.1: Use critical thinking effectively.
Outcome 3.2: Engage in creative thinking.
Outcome 3.3: Use reasoning to recognize, develop,
defend, and criticize artuments and other persuasive
appeals.
Outcome 3.4: Approach problems effectively.
Outcome 5.1: Recognize the necessity of ethical
behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of
psychology.
Outcome 5.2: Demonstrate reasonable skepticism and
intellectual curiosity by asking questions about causes of
behavior.
Outcome 5.3: Seek and evaluate scientific evidence for
psychological claims.
Outcome 5.4: Tolerate ambiguity and realize that
psychological explanations are often complex and
tentative.
Outcome 5.7: Understand the limitations of their
psychological knowledge and skills.
Assessment
Composing 2 research papers; 2 Exams
Composing 1 research paper based upon original
empirical psychology sources; 2 Exams.
Composing 2 research papers; 2 Exams; applied SPSS
vignettes and problems.
Composing 2 research papers; Evaluating Empirical
Journal Articles.
Composing 2 research papers (including data gathering
for one).
Certification in rules for APA Ethics Code for the
treatment of human and nonhuman participants in all
aspects of research.
Composing APA Results & Discussion Sections.
8 SPSS projects that require determining what type of
statistical test to use; 2 Research article assessments.
Developing 2 research projects.
Final Project Presentations (PowerPoint).
Analyzing research vignettes for SPSS projects.
Data gathering projects.
Developing a comprehensive Final Project.
2 Research papers; 2 Research article assessments.
2 Exams; 2 Research papers; 2 Research article
assessments.
Mid-term exam; Comprehensive final exam; Final project
presentation; APA section papers.
Course Schedule:
NOTE: The following schedule is tentative and most likely will be modified as the
quarter progresses!
Week 1
Monday, March 30
Wednesday, April 1
Week 2
Monday, April 6
Wednesday, April 8
Week 3
Monday, April 13
Wednesday, April 15
Week 4
Monday, April 20
Wednesday, April 22
Week 5
Monday, April 27
Wednesday, April 29
Week 6
Monday, May 4
Wednesday, May 6
Week 7
Monday, May 11
Wednesday, May 13
Week 8
Monday, May 18
Wednesday, May 20
Week 9
Monday, May 25
Wednesday, May 27
Week 10
Monday, June 1
Wednesday, June 3
Week 11
Monday, June 8
Final Exam, Wednesday June 10
5:00am-7:30pm
Syllabus, Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Stats assignment 1
Chapter 4
APA Section paper 1
Chapter 5
Stats assignment 2
Chapter 6, APA Section paper 2
Mid-Term Exam
Chapter 7
Stats assignment 3
Chapter 8
APA Section paper 3
Chapter 9
Stats assignment 4
No Class – Memorial Day
Chapter 10, APA Section paper 4
Chapter 11
Presentations, Final Project Due
Final Exam Preparation
Class Points:
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Stats Assignments (4)
APA Section Papers (4)
Final Project Presentation
Final Project Paper
Total Points
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
615
570
552
534
509
491
472
447
429
411
386
368
100 Points
150 Points
30 Points Each
30 Points Each
25 Points
100 Points
615 Points
– 571 Points
– 553 Points
– 535 Points
– 510 Points
– 492 Points
– 473 Points
– 448 Points
– 430 Points
– 412 Points
– 387 Points
– 369 Points
or Less
Failure to take any examination will result in zero points. There are no make-up exams
except in the following circumstance: a serious and compelling medical situation in which
the student is under inpatient medical care (admitted to a hospital) and a physician states
that it is impossible for the student to take the exam at the stated time. A physician will be
required to write a note stating that it is impossible for the student to take the exam at the
given time. All notes from physicians will be physically followed-up by the instructor to
insure their validity.
Late work, homework, quizzes, or papers are not accepted. So, please do not ask to submit
any late work. If any homework, quiz, or paper is not received by me by the due date, zero
points will be assigned. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism occurs when you use the exact written or spoken words, a summary of written or
spoken words, and/or the ideas that someone else has produced without giving the original
author credit. When you use another author’s material you must give that person credit by
indicating the source of the material in your text. Buying a paper or having someone write your
paper is also considered plagiarism. A plagiarized paper will receive no (0%) credit.
Evaluation
Exams will consist of M/C, short answer questions, and practical application problems. Each
exam may be comprised of content from the text as well as lecture discussion, including
concept/application questions as well as calculations. You may use a 5x7 index card for each
exam to use for quick reference notes. WARNING: If you are more than 15 minutes late for
an exam, you will not be allowed to take the exam. No make-up exams will be given. NO
EXCEPTIONS!
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Computer/Printer/Childcare/Car problems DO NOT constitute a change
in my policies. I prefer not to be placed in a position of evaluating personal lives, though I
will be more than willing to discuss your difficulties should they arise.
Courtesy Note: The use of cell phones and texting is strictly prohibited during class. Cell
phones may not be held or placed on desktops during class and must be kept out of your sight.
Also, the use of classroom computers is strictly limited to work that is being directed by the
instructor and the monitors of all computers must be off unless instructed otherwise. Any
other use of classroom computers is grounds for ejection from class. Failure to follow cell
phone and computer policies during and in the classroom is grounds for being dropped from
the course.