Psychology 300 (01) 1722—Psychological Research and Statistical Methods I
Laura Malakoff, Ph.D.
Spring 2011
e-mail: lauramalakoff@gmail.com
Wednesday 4:00-5:50 in 2515 BT
Office hrs: M/W 1:45-3:45
Section 1724 (01L) Wed 6:00-7:50 in BT1716
Office: 2152 Sage Hall
Section 1729 (02L) Wed 8:00-9:50 in BT1716
Polish Proverb: “To believe with certainty, we must begin by doubting.”
Overview
This is a required course for Psychology majors. The goal of this course is to provide you with a
basic understanding of research methodology and a framework to evaluate social and behavioral science
research. An additional goal is to expand and apply your understanding of basic biostatistical methods.
Topics include: 1) how to apply the scientific method within the field of psychology and social sciences,
ethical guidelines and issues related to the research in, and practice of, psychology; 2) how to evaluate
research and popular claims in psychology with a critical eye; and 3) how statistical tools work, when
they should be applied, and what types of information can be gained from their use in research.
Applications will be stressed throughout the course. Lab assignments will provide you opportunities for
practice of statistical techniques and experience with statistical software. Emphasis is on the
fundamentals and assumptions, and less on calculations and mathematical theories.
Goals and Objectives for the Course
At the end of this semester, you will be able to:
 Articulate the basic tenets of the empirical method in psychology.
 Explain why psychology is a science.
 Read, understand and critically evaluate research reports published in psychological journals on
the basis of its construct validity, internal validity, external validity, statistical validity, and
conformity to APA’s ethical principles.
 Develop testable hypothesis derived from a theory.
 Identify which statistical analyses are appropriate for various research designs.
 Use statistical software (SPSS) to analyze data.
 Interpret and draw conclusions from descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
 Apply the experimental method to answer questions about behavior through participation in
laboratory exercises and experiments.
 Develop necessary skills for an efficient review of the psychological literature using a
computerized index.
 Prepare written reports according to the stylistic conventions of the American Psychological
Association.
Expectations
Successful performance in this class requires regular attendance and a personal effort on your part.
In registering this course, you have contracted with me to attend class regularly and keep up with readings
and assignments. If you are absent 3 times during the semester, you may be dropped from the course.
Please arrive and leave class on time
Students are responsible for reading the text material assigned before the class meets. This course
is 15 weeks in duration; therefore, we will move at a quick pace. Try not to fall behind in the reading and
homework assignments. If you have difficulty during the course, please see me or email me as soon as
possible.
Educational researchers believe that for every hour that a student is in class, a minimum of 2 hours
should be allocated for studying outside the class. Many students find it helpful to form small “study
groups” to review the material and I urge you to do this if you feel it would be useful.
Drop Deadline
If you find it necessary to drop the course, you are expected to complete all appropriate paperwork
with the Admission & Records Office by the drop deadline.
Texts and Materials
Jackson, S.L. (2006). Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach (3rd ed.).
Belmont, CA: Thompson/Wadsworth. (ISBN 978-0-495-51001-7) Yes, you need the newest edition.
Stanovich, K.E. (2010). How to think straight about psychology (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn &
Bacon. 978-0205685905 or 978-0205685900 You can use an older edition if you like.
Stern, L. (2010). A visual approach to SPSS for Windows: A guide to SPSS 17.0 (2nd ed.)
Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 0205706053
(These three texts are required for both Psych 300 and 301.)
You will need a calculator with a square root on it (a cell phone is unacceptable), a thumb drive,
and 2 Scan-Tron answer sheets (Form #882). Bring the answer sheet, a blue book, and a #2 pencil to both
tests. If you do not have these materials when quizzes are given, you will not receive credit for the test.
Course Requirements: Your final grade is based on the following:
 Midterm: 50 points
 Final: 50 points
 Lab Assignments: There are 7 assignments. (each assignment worth 10 pts for a total of 70 pts)
 Research Report and Presentation: 50 points
o Questions for the survey handed in on time; evidence of understanding correlations 5 pts
o Oral presentation using PowerPoint 15 pts (Students who do not present, but hand in a
PowerPoint presentation, maximum is 2 pts)
o Paper in APA style with appropriate statistical analysis 30 pts
 Quizzes: There are 5 short quizzes (5 points each). The best 4 will count. Participation in
research projects can substitute for one quiz. Extra credit can bring up total. There are NO makeups. 20 pts
 Attendance: 10 pts
Total: 250 points
Grading Standards Final grades will be assigned based on:
 97 -100 A+
 87 – 89 B+
 77 –79 C+
 67 – 69 D+
 0 – 59 F
 93 - 96 A
 83 – 86 B
 73 –76 C
 63 – 66 D
 90 - 92 A 80 – 82 B 70 –72 C 60 – 62 DI rarely adjust this standard at the end of the course, but I may depending on the distribution of scores. In
order to take Psych 301, students need to earn a C or better in Psych 300.
Course Website In addition to the text, the publisher maintains a web site that contains very helpful
material pertaining to the course. The URL is http://www.wadsworth.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20bI&flag=instructor&product_isbn_issn=9780495510017&di
scipline_number=24 Contained in the publisher’s web site are various activities and resources. I
encourage you to take the practice quizzes on the publisher web site.
Accommodations
Students who have disabilities or special needs and require accommodations in order to have equal
access to classrooms must register with the designated staff member in Student Affairs in order for us to
better accommodate special needs. Students will be required to provide documentation of a disability
when accommodations are requested.
COURSE SCHEDULE: Psych 300
Wed
January
26
February
2
Feb
9
Feb
16
Feb
23
Readings
What is science?
Lab #1 handed out
What is science?/Getting started
Lab #1 due, Lab #2 handed out: Library Resources
Getting started: Ideas, Resources, and Ethics
Lab 2 due/ watch DVD/begin SPSS/depression scale
Defining, Measuring, and Manipulating Variables
Short Quiz 1: IV and DV
Beginning SPSS/Research topics for semester
project/APA style title page
Defining, Measuring, and Manipulating
Variables/Descriptive Methods
Short Quiz 2: Defining variables
Lab #3 handed out
Descriptive Methods
Lab #3 due; Review for Midterm
Midterm (Jackson: Ch 1-4 and Stan: Ch 1-4)
Lab #4 handed out
Data Organization and Descriptive Statistics
March
2
March
9
March
16
March 23 Spring Break
March
30
April
6
April
13
April 20
April
27
May
4
May
11
May
18
Jackson: Chapter 1-2
Stan: Chapter 1-3
Jackson: Chapter 3
Jackson: Chapter 4
Stan: Chapter 4
Jackson: Chapter 5
Data Organization and Descriptive Statistics/
Correlational Methods and Statistics
Short Quiz 3: > or < .05? standard deviation
Lab #4 due; Lab #5 handed out Work on research
projects and email of questions/methods section
Correlational Methods and Statistics
Short Quiz 4: Know your Greek letters
Work on research projects
Hypothesis Testing and Inferential Statistics
Short Quiz 5: Correlation or Experiment?
Lab #5 due; Lab #6 handed out Work on research
projects
Inferential Statistics
Jackson: Chapter 6
Inferential Statistics
Lab #6 due, Lab #7 handed out
Prepare PowerPoint Presentations
Inferential Statistics: Two-Group Designs
APA style
Extra credit presentations
Sign up for lab final time
Student Presentations
Lab #7 due; Review for Final
Final (4-6) (Jack Ch. 5-7, 9, 14, Stan Ch. 5-6)
Lab portion of final during lab/ Research Report Due
Stan: Chapter 6
This schedule is subject to change.
Stan Chapter 5
Jackson: Chapter 7
Jackson: Chapter 9
Jackson: Chapter 14