PSY 231: Research Methods in Psychology
Fall 2006
Sections 01-05
Class Experiment
Our experiment examines the effects of ordering and mode of presentation on memory for lists
of words. This document contains the instructions and materials required to carryout the
experiment.
Instructions for running the experiment
Creating the stimuli
Neatly print each of the following words on index cards (or pieces of paper), one per card.
The word list:
For conditions A&B
BOOK, CAR, DESK, DRESSER, FLOWER, MAGAZINE, MINIVAN,
NEWSPAPER, RADIO, SHRUB, STEREO, TABLE, TREE, TRUCK, VIDEO
For conditions C&D
BOOK, MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER, TREE, FLOWER, SHRUB, CAR,
TRUCK, MINIVAN, RADIO, STEREO, VIDEO, DESK, TABLE, DRESSER
Testing the participants (remember use different people for each condition)
1) Have your participant read and sign the consent form (your participant MUST be at least
18 years old)
2) Provide each participant with a pen/pencil and a blank sheet of paper
3) Read instructions:
a. “I’m going to present you with a short list of words. Please READ/LISTEN to
the list. After I present the list, I’ll give you a number. Please count backwards
from that number by 3’s until I tell you to RECALL. When I tell you to
RECALL, please write down as many of the words from the lists as you can
remember. Do you have any questions?”
4) Present the stimuli to the participant according to what condition they are in (USE
THESE ORDERS):
 4 conditions (as a result of the crossing of our 2 independent variables):
o condition A: alphabetically ordered list, read TO the participants
o condition B: alphabetically ordered list, read (silently) BY the participants
o condition C: categorically ordered list, read TO the participants
o condition D: categorically ordered list, read (silently) BY the participants
 try to present the words at a constant rate for each of the 4 conditions
5) Give them a number and have them count backwards by 3’s for 15 seconds
6) Following presentation, ask your participant to try to recall as many of the words from
the list as they can. Give them up to 90 seconds.
7) Thank the participant for their participation. Read the debriefing statement to each
participant. Ask them if they have any questions. If there are questions that you can’t
answer provide them with my contact information (Dr. J. Cooper Cutting,
jccutti@ilstu.edu, 438-2999) and let them know that I will answer their questions.
Compiling the data
On a separate sheet of paper (see the provided “Data summary sheet”), report the number
of correctly recalled words in each of the four conditions. Turn in the sheet along with
the signed consent forms in class on Monday.
Debriefing Statement
Read the following paragraph to your participant:
Thank you for participation in our research project. The primary purpose of this
experiment is to provide some hands-on research experience for me in conjunction with
my Research Methods in Psychology course. We’re investigating some of the factors
that may influence people’s memory for lists of words. One factor that we’re
investigating is the impact of different kinds of ordering (alphabetical versus categorical)
on recall. The other factor that we’re examining is whether your memory improves if
you read the words yourself (as opposed to having them read to you). If you are
interested in the results of this class project, they will be available upon request from Dr.
Cutting at the end of the semester. Do you have any questions?
Data Summary sheet
Student researcher’s name: ___________________ (this is the name of the student enrolled in
231,
NOT the name of the participants)
Your GA:  Charles Coey
 Andrew Monroe
Count the number of correctly recalled words in for each participant. Record these numbers
beside the corresponding conditions:

condition A: alphabetically ordered list, read TO the participants
__________

condition B: alphabetically ordered list, read BY the participants
__________

condition C: categorically ordered list, read TO the participants
__________

condition D: categorically ordered list, read BY the participants
__________
Return this sheet along with the signed consent forms in class on Monday.
Illinois State University
Informed consent (Participants) Dept. of Psychology
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. ALL PARTICIATION IS VOLUNTARY.
SIGN YOUR NAME BELOW ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AND YOU
FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO GIVE YOUR CONSENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH. FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE
TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OFTHIS CONSENT FORM, WE WILL
PROVIDE ONE.
The policy of the Department of Psychology is that all research participation in the Department is
voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any time, without prejudice, should you object to the
nature of the research. Your responses are confidential. Any report of the data collected will be in
summary form, without identifying individuals. You are entitled to ask questions and to receive an
explanation after your participation. You are free to withdraw your participation at any time without
penalty.
Description of the Study: During this experiment, you will be read a list of words and asked to test your memory
for the words.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the experiment is to determine the effects of certain tasks on memory. We
are only interested in an evaluation of these variables, and how they are related to one another. We are NOT
interested in any specific individual.
Possible Risks: The entire experiment should take less than 1/2 hour. There are minimal risks associated with this
experiment. Your data will be kept completely confidential. In addition, you are free to discontinue the experiment
at any time.
Possible Benefits: A) When your participation is complete, you will be given an opportunity to learn about this
research, which may be useful to you in your course or in understanding yourself and others. B) You will have an
opportunity to contribute to psychological science by participating in this research.
Confidentiality: You will be randomly assigned an ID number, which will protect your identity. All data will be
kept in secured files, in accord with the standards of the University, Federal regulations, and the American
Psychological Association. No identifying information will be stored with your data. Finally, remember that it is no
individual person’s responses that interest us; we are studying memory for people in general.
Opportunities to Question:
Any technical questions about this research may be directed to:
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting, Phone: 438-2999
Data should be fully available by Dec 1, 2006.
Any questions regarding your rights as a research participant or research-related injuries may be directed to:
Bruce Deason, Office of Research, Ethics, and Compliance, 438-8451.
Opportunities to Withdraw at will:
If you decide now, or at any point, to withdraw this consent or stop participating, you are free to do so at no penalty
to yourself.
I have read the statements above, understand the same, and voluntarily sign this form. You are entitled to receive a
copy of this consent form if you wish. Please ask the experimenter.
_________________________________
Signature of Participant
________________________
Date
Illinois State University
Informed consent (Participants)
Dept. of Psychology
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. ALL PARTICIATION IS VOLUNTARY.
SIGN YOUR NAME BELOW ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AND YOU
FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO GIVE YOUR CONSENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH. FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE
TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OFTHIS CONSENT FORM, WE WILL
PROVIDE ONE.
The policy of the Department of Psychology is that all research participation in the Department is
voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any time, without prejudice, should you object to the
nature of the research. Your responses are confidential. Any report of the data collected will be in
summary form, without identifying individuals. You are entitled to ask questions and to receive an
explanation after your participation. You are free to withdraw your participation at any time without
penalty.
Description of the Study: During this experiment, you will be read a list of words and asked to test your memory
for the words.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the experiment is to determine the effects of certain tasks on memory. We
are only interested in an evaluation of these variables, and how they are related to one another. We are NOT
interested in any specific individual.
Possible Risks: The entire experiment should take less than 1/2 hour. There are minimal risks associated with this
experiment. Your data will be kept completely confidential. In addition, you are free to discontinue the experiment
at any time.
Possible Benefits: A) When your participation is complete, you will be given an opportunity to learn about this
research, which may be useful to you in your course or in understanding yourself and others. B) You will have an
opportunity to contribute to psychological science by participating in this research.
Confidentiality: You will be randomly assigned an ID number, which will protect your identity. All data will be
kept in secured files, in accord with the standards of the University, Federal regulations, and the American
Psychological Association. No identifying information will be stored with your data. Finally, remember that it is no
individual person’s responses that interest us; we are studying memory for people in general.
Opportunities to Question:
Any technical questions about this research may be directed to:
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting, Phone: 438-2999
Data should be fully available by Dec 1, 2006.
Any questions regarding your rights as a research participant or research-related injuries may be directed to:
Bruce Deason, Office of Research, Ethics, and Compliance, 438-8451.
Opportunities to Withdraw at will:
If you decide now, or at any point, to withdraw this consent or stop participating, you are free to do so at no penalty
to yourself.
I have read the statements above, understand the same, and voluntarily sign this form. You are entitled to receive a
copy of this consent form if you wish. Please ask the experimenter.
_________________________________
Signature of Participant
________________________
Date
Illinois State University
Informed consent (Participants)
Dept. of Psychology
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. ALL PARTICIATION IS VOLUNTARY.
SIGN YOUR NAME BELOW ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AND YOU
FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO GIVE YOUR CONSENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH. FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE
TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OFTHIS CONSENT FORM, WE WILL
PROVIDE ONE.
The policy of the Department of Psychology is that all research participation in the Department is
voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any time, without prejudice, should you object to the
nature of the research. Your responses are confidential. Any report of the data collected will be in
summary form, without identifying individuals. You are entitled to ask questions and to receive an
explanation after your participation. You are free to withdraw your participation at any time without
penalty.
Description of the Study: During this experiment, you will be read a list of words and asked to test your memory
for the words.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the experiment is to determine the effects of certain tasks on memory. We
are only interested in an evaluation of these variables, and how they are related to one another. We are NOT
interested in any specific individual.
Possible Risks: The entire experiment should take less than 1/2 hour. There are minimal risks associated with this
experiment. Your data will be kept completely confidential. In addition, you are free to discontinue the experiment
at any time.
Possible Benefits: A) When your participation is complete, you will be given an opportunity to learn about this
research, which may be useful to you in your course or in understanding yourself and others. B) You will have an
opportunity to contribute to psychological science by participating in this research.
Confidentiality: You will be randomly assigned an ID number, which will protect your identity. All data will be
kept in secured files, in accord with the standards of the University, Federal regulations, and the American
Psychological Association. No identifying information will be stored with your data. Finally, remember that it is no
individual person’s responses that interest us; we are studying memory for people in general.
Opportunities to Question:
Any technical questions about this research may be directed to:
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting, Phone: 438-2999
Data should be fully available by Dec 1, 2006.
Any questions regarding your rights as a research participant or research-related injuries may be directed to:
Bruce Deason, Office of Research, Ethics, and Compliance, 438-8451.
Opportunities to Withdraw at will:
If you decide now, or at any point, to withdraw this consent or stop participating, you are free to do so at no penalty
to yourself.
I have read the statements above, understand the same, and voluntarily sign this form. You are entitled to receive a
copy of this consent form if you wish. Please ask the experimenter.
_________________________________
Signature of Participant
________________________
Date
Illinois State University
Informed consent (Participants)
Dept. of Psychology
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. ALL PARTICIATION IS VOLUNTARY.
SIGN YOUR NAME BELOW ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AND YOU
FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO GIVE YOUR CONSENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH. FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE
TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OFTHIS CONSENT FORM, WE WILL
PROVIDE ONE.
The policy of the Department of Psychology is that all research participation in the Department is
voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any time, without prejudice, should you object to the
nature of the research. Your responses are confidential. Any report of the data collected will be in
summary form, without identifying individuals. You are entitled to ask questions and to receive an
explanation after your participation. You are free to withdraw your participation at any time without
penalty.
Description of the Study: During this experiment, you will be read a list of words and asked to test your memory
for the words.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the experiment is to determine the effects of certain tasks on memory. We
are only interested in an evaluation of these variables, and how they are related to one another. We are NOT
interested in any specific individual.
Possible Risks: The entire experiment should take less than 1/2 hour. There are minimal risks associated with this
experiment. Your data will be kept completely confidential. In addition, you are free to discontinue the experiment
at any time.
Possible Benefits: A) When your participation is complete, you will be given an opportunity to learn about this
research, which may be useful to you in your course or in understanding yourself and others. B) You will have an
opportunity to contribute to psychological science by participating in this research.
Confidentiality: You will be randomly assigned an ID number, which will protect your identity. All data will be
kept in secured files, in accord with the standards of the University, Federal regulations, and the American
Psychological Association. No identifying information will be stored with your data. Finally, remember that it is no
individual person’s responses that interest us; we are studying memory for people in general.
Opportunities to Question:
Any technical questions about this research may be directed to:
Principal Investigator: Dr. J. Cooper Cutting, Phone: 438-2999
Data should be fully available by Dec 1, 2006.
Any questions regarding your rights as a research participant or research-related injuries may be directed to:
Bruce Deason, Office of Research, Ethics, and Compliance, 438-8451.
Opportunities to Withdraw at will:
If you decide now, or at any point, to withdraw this consent or stop participating, you are free to do so at no penalty
to yourself.
I have read the statements above, understand the same, and voluntarily sign this form. You are entitled to receive a
copy of this consent form if you wish. Please ask the experimenter.
_________________________________
Signature of Participant
________________________
Date