Psy 430 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor:
Dr. Gary Nickell, Psychology Department
Office:
360J Bridges Hall
Office phone:
Voice (218) 477-4080 or 477-2802 (Psych Department)
TDD (218) 477-3697 (MSUM Information Desk)
Office hours:
9:30 - 10:20 AM MTWHF
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM MWF
12:30 – 2:00 PM TH or by appointment
E-mail:
nickellg@mnstate.edu
Home page:
http://web.mnstate.edu/nickell/
Class web page:
http://web.mnstate.edu/nickell/classes/psy430/psy430.htm
Fall 2011
Class time and days: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM TH
Texts:
Kantowitz, B. H., Roediger, H. L., & Elmes, D. G. (2009) Experimental psychology (9th ed.),
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual. (6th Ed.) Washington, DC: APA.
(Optional)
Special accommodations: “Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation
in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-4318
(Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to ensure that
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.”
Bulletin course description and prerequisites: Course emphasizing the critical discussion of research
topics and journal articles of interest to majors, as well as the execution of an independent research
project. Prerequisite: PSY 330
General/Liberal Education Category: WI-Writing Intensive
Psy 430 Advanced Experimental Psychology carries a writing intensive course designation (“W”),
and addresses all six written communication competencies of the General/Liberal Education
Category/ Dragon Core Curriculum. The writing competencies are as follows:
1. Psy 430 employs a “coherent writing process” that requires students to submit early drafts of
sections of the final paper for editing and revisions.
2. Psy 430 requires you to meet and consult with your professor to “produce quality written
products.”
3. Psy 430 requires that you read, analyze, synthesize and integrate appropriate research and
diverse readings for your research critiques and for your research proposal.
4. Psy 430 requires you locate, use and cite appropriate primary and secondary research articles
using APA style formatting for your research proposal.
5. Psy 430 requires that you make logical, effective and engaging, writing critiques and papers
for a scientific audience.
6. Psy 430 requires the use of correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling in all written papers.
Course objectives: Psy 430 is a continuation of Psy 330. The major objectives of this course are to:
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enable students to complete an independent research project,
have students critically read and evaluate psychological literature and research,
enable students to write a coherent, organized research report,
enable students to prepare an application for the Institutional Review Board (IRB),
enable students to use electronic databases and other resources to find research literature,
enable students to make effective oral presentations,
enable students to understand major topic areas within experimental psychology and
enable students to demonstrate knowledge of APA writing style guidelines.
Student learning outcomes: As a result of this course, you will be able to:
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demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings,
and historical trends in psychology.
understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data
analysis, and interpretation.
respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the
scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the
underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology
for many purposes.
demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats and for various purposes.
demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats and for various purposes.
recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
Evaluation standards/grading:
There are no formal exams in this course. However, there will be two quizzes (20 pts. each) scheduled
during the semester (40 points total).
There will be weekly writing assignments (points to be determined), some of which will be completed
in class, others which will be done out of class and due the following class meeting (article critiques
40 pts). Several of these assignments in class will involve informal writing assignments All
assignments due in a following class meeting must be typed and double-spaced.
There are two assigned oral presentations: A cross-cultural study presentation (25 pts.), and final
project presentation (50 pts). The cross-cultural study presentation (with up to 2 students) should be
approximately 8-10 minutes. The final project presentation should be 12-15 minutes with questions
to follow.
The research paper components of the course will be worth a total of 150 points. The rewrites of the
abstract and method are worth 15 points. The first draft of the results and discussion is worth 25
points, and the final draft of the project (Title, abstract, literature review, method, results,
discussion, reference, tables and/or figures) is worth 60 points. The NIH Ethics training certification,
IRB protocol, and project completion form are worth 25 points. There is an additional 25 points for
ethical behavior, effort, and professionalism.
The quality of student writing will affect your course grade. Some of the criteria I will use for
evaluating the quality of your papers and assignments include:
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Focus — The paper addresses the assignment or answers the question. There is a thesis, main
idea, or hypothesis that holds the paper together.
Organization — The paper is cohesively organized, making effective use of paragraphs and
transitions, or other appropriate genre conventions.
Development — The paper provides sufficient evidence to support the over-all thesis, or
answer the question. Topic sentences for each paragraph are adequately supported.
Clarity — Sentences are clear and effectively punctuated (appropriate diction, no run-ons,
fragments, misspellings, or grammar errors).
Voice — The tone is professional and informative (not stuffy, preachy, whiny, or filled with
slang).
APA style – Appropriate use of APA style formatting.
Class Participation: There are 30 formal points allocated for attendance (15) and class participation
(15). Based on the MSUM student absence policy you may have 2 unexcused absences and still
receive all 15 points. Appropriate classroom etiquette is expected including being on time for class
and not leaving early. It is your responsibility to notify me of any condition that may interfere with
regular class attendance. Attendance points are based on the system below.
0-2
absences - 15 points
3
4
absences - 13 points
5
6
absences - 10 points
7
8 or more absences will get 0 points
absences - 14 points
absences - 11 points
absences - 9 points
Extra credit for participating in research is NOT available for this class. Extra credit will be
available for other activities. There is a maximum of 20 points extra credit.
The Final letter grade system is listed below:
A = 90%.
B = 80%
C = 70%
D = 60%
F = Less than 60%
Experimental Psychology Project:
Students are required to complete an experiment in a content area of their interest preferably a study
that does not constitute a direct replication. Conceptual replications are acceptable. Students will
need approval by their instructor for all aspects of this project. The MSUM IRB policy is that faculty
are considered the “principle investigator” for all student research projects.
On or before December 6th, your final paper is due. The final paper (12+ pages not counting the title
page or references) should include a title page, abstract, literature review, method, results, discussion
(with a minimum of 12 references, but no more than 2 book references). The paper should follow
APA format (according to the 6th edition of the APA Manual). A copy of your paper and SPSS data
set should be sent to me as attachments. Include a photocopy of the first page of each article used.
For each day the paper is late the grade will be dropped by two points (maximum of 10 pts).
A number of writing and research web resources appropriate for this class are available on the web
at: http://web.mnstate.edu/nickell/writing_resources.htm
Academic honesty: The MSUM Student Handbook (http://web.mnstate.edu/sthandbook) discusses
student conduct code issues including academic integrity such as cheating or plagiarism. If you have
any questions regarding this conduct code or your rights, please review the handbook. With regard
to plagiarism, the policy states: “When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or
plagiarism, a failing grade may be assigned for the course in which the student cheated. Instructors
also may choose to report the offense, the evidence, and their action to the Dean of their college or the
Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor (or any other person) feels the seriousness of
the offense warrants additional action, the incident may be reported to the Judicial Affairs Officer.”
“Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the
published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also
includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the
selling of term papers or other academic materials.”
Course Schedule
Date
Tentative Topic(s)
Readings & Assignments
T 8/23
H 8/25
Introduction to Psy 430
Discussion of student projects
Bring a draft and questions about your method
T 8/30
Bring a draft and questions about your method
H 9/1
Discussion of student projects
Writing and Plagarism
NIH IRB training (In Lab)
T 9/6
H 9/8
IRB forms, Abstract
Methods
Pyrczak Chapter 13 (handout)
Rewrite of abstract due (5 pts.)
T 9/13
H 9/15
Using MediaLab
Cross-cultural research
Rewrite of method due (10 pts.)
T 9/20
Social psychology
H 9/22
Social psychology
Kantowitz Ch. 13
IRB Protocols due on or before (10 pts.)
Critique of Mazar & Zhong reading due (10 pts.)
T 9/27
H 9/29
Perception
Perception
Kantowitz Ch. 7
Critique of Simon (1999) reading due (10 pts.)
T 10/4
H 10/6
Conditioning and Learning
Conditioning and Learning
Kantowitz Ch. 9, Quiz 1 (20 pts.) at beginning
Critique of DeLoache reading due (10 pts.)
IRB on-line course (10 pts. due: 9/15)
T 10/11
H 10/13
Fall Breather (No classes)
Cross-cultural study presentations
T 10/18
H 10/20
Cross-cultural study presentations
Data analysis and Interpretation (In Stat lab)
T 10/25
H 10/27
Writing up the results
Remembering & Forgetting
Pyrczak Chapter 11
Kantowitz Ch. 10
T 11/1
H 11/3
Remembering & forgetting
Writing up the discussion
Critique of Howe (2007) reading due (10 pts.)
Pyrczak Chapter 12 (Quiz 2 (20 pts) at beginning)
T 11/8
H 11/10
Constructing tables and figures
IRB completion/Presentations
Kantowitz Ch. 5
Draft of Results and Discussion due (25 pts.)
T 11/15
H 11/17
Designing posters- in lab
Catch-up
Extra Credit assignment
T 11/22
Student read and critique other student’s rough drafts (5 pts.)
T 11/29
H 12/1
Oral presentations (3-4)
Oral presentations (3-4)
IRB completion forms due (5 pts.)
T 12/6
Oral presentations (3-4)
Final paper due (60 points)
Final Class Period
Monday December 12th at Noon – Oral presentations (3-5)
Note: I reserve the right to change the quiz and assignment dates, assignments and points for
assignments, and deadlines at my discretion if needed.
Note: Please put away and turn off all cell phones during class