PSY 3214 - Research Methods in Psychology

FALL 1999  -  MW  1:30 - 2:45 pm



PROFESSOR:             Rebecca A. Marcon, Ph.D.
OFFICE:                     Bldg. 39, Room 4072 (620-2807)
OFFICE HOURS:       MW:    10:45 - 11:15 am     AND     3:00 - 4:00 pm
                                    Tuesday mornings by advance appointment only
EMAIL:                       rmarcon@unf.edu

PREREQUISITE:         Grade of C or better in Elementary Statistics (STA 2013)

COREQUISITE:          Research Methods Lab (PSY 3214L)

REQUIRED TEXTS:            Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (1999). Research design and
                                     methods: A process approach (4^th ed.). Mountain View, CA:
                                     Mayfield.

                                             American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication manual
                                     of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.). Washington, DC:
                                     Author.

SUPPLEMENTAL:             Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (1999). Study guide to accompany
                                     research design and methods: A process approach (4^th ed.). Mountain
                                     View, CA: Mayfield.

                                            American Psychological Association. (1982). Ethical principles in
                                     the conduct of research with human participants. Washington, DC:
                                     Author.

                                            Phillips, J. L. (1999). How to think about statistics (6^th ed.).
                                     New York: Freeman.

GOALS:            The purpose of this course is to:

                         (a)  develop critical thinking and familiarity with psychological research methods
                               and designs;

                         (b)  increase sensitivity to ethical issues and consensus on good research practices;
                               and

                         (c)  provide practical experience in the conduct of psychological research and
                               professional reporting of results.

EVALUATION:

There will be four HOMEWORK assignments. These assignments are due at the beginning of class on days noted in the attached schedule. Late assignments will receive feedback but NO credit. A total of 75 possible points can be earned on homework distributed as follows:

            #1   locating research references - 20 points
            #2   organization of an APA journal article - 15 points
            #3   identifying research variables - 15 points
            #4   writing an informed consent - 25 points
                     (& operational definitions for Single S study)

There will be 3 scheduled TESTS. Test #1 covers Chapters 1-5 and 13 (Bordens & Abbott) and is worth up to 100 points. Test #2 covers Chapters 6-10 (Bordens & Abbott) and is worth up to 125 points. Test #3 covers Chapters 11-12 and portions of Chapters 14 and 16 (Bordens & Abbott) and is worth up to 75 points. NO make-up tests will be given and students are expected to be present on the day of the test (see attached schedule). There are a total of 300 possible points to be earned on tests.

Two STUDIES will be conducted by students during the semester with a total of 300 possible points to be earned as follows: Primate Observational Study (up to 100 points for written report of method and results using APA style) and Single Subject Study (up to 200 points for full APA style manuscript reporting on completed study). Papers will be graded for both content and adherence to APA style. All APA papers are to be typed and are due at the beginning of class on days noted in the attached schedule. Late papers will receive feedback but NO credit.

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL including a review of the literature, method and design, and suggested data analysis will be worth up to 250 points. Students will present their research ideas to the class during the last 3 weeks of the course in order to receive feedback and suggestions from the class prior to completing the final manuscript in APA style. Grading of this proposal will include a maximum of 50 points for correct use of APA format, 10 points for adequacy of title and abstract, 70 points for introduction and adequacy of literature review, 65 points for methodology, 45 points for proposed data analysis and 10 points for reference quality. Proposals are due by 5pm on Wednesday, December 1, at the professor's office (39-4072). Late papers will receive feedback but NO credit.

Class PARTICIPATION is expected of all students and will contribute up to 75 points in the final course grade. Each student is responsible for documenting his/her participation and submitting a suggested participation grade at the end of the semester. Your participation is especially vital during student presentations of research proposals. Participation grades are due at the beginning of class on Monday, November 29. Use the forms attached at the end of syllabus to assign a grade for preparation, attendance, and involvement. Late papers will receive feedback but NO credit.

            PREPARATION  for class involves completing assigned reading prior to class, studying for quizzes 3 or more days ahead of schedule, completing observation audio tape and single subject data collection in a timely manner, and providing your observation partner with data needed to complete reliability calculations. Students will be responsible for documenting preparation to participate, and a portion of the participation grade (up to 15 points) will be assigned accordingly.

            ATTENDANCE  is another important part of class participation. If you are not here or are habitually tardy, you cannot participate. Therefore, students will be responsible for documenting attendance, and a portion of the participation grade (up to 10 points) will be assigned accordingly.

            INVOLVEMENT  in the class will contribute up to 50 points and can be earned by thoughtful contribution to class discussion, sharing ideas which build upon those of class members, summarizing key discussion points, asking probing questions that encourage further exploration, etc. If it is difficult for you to talk in class, you may also document out-of-class participation (i.e., attending announced research lectures, reading supplemental journal articles, viewing suggested videos) to demonstrate your commitment and involvement in this class. Your feedback to classmates during presentations of research proposals is especially important. You should do so in writing (given to your presenting classmate) if we run out of time for a particular presentation and you were unable to offer your suggestions. Each student is expected to be an active learner who takes initiative in directing his/her learning experience in this course. However, you should also be considerate of others in the course who wish to participate and of time constraints faced by the professor when covering lecture topics. Quality of contribution is preferred over quantity. If you find yourself talking a great deal more than others, please be sensitive to the possibility that you may be preventing others from actively participating.

GRADING:            A total of 1000 points is possible.

                                92% = A = 1000 to 920

                                90% = A - = 919 to 900

                                88% = B+ = 899 to 880

                                82% = B = 879 to 820

                                80% = B - = 819 to 800

                                78% = C+ = 799 to 780

                                70% = C = 779 to 700

                                60% = D = 699 to 600

                                below 60% = F = below 600

                   NO incomplete grades will be given. If you do not believe you can finish the course, permission to withdraw must be sought through the normal University channels. If permission is given to withdraw, WP will be assigned if you have at least 60% of all possible points and WF will be assigned if you have less than 60% of all possible points at time of withdrawal.

ATTENDANCE:            Regular class attendance is the student's obligation. On any assignment where your absence or other behavior impacts your classmates (i.e., not assisting your partner in conducting zoo observations) HEAVY PENALTIES will be imposed. Participation grades should include consideration of your attendance.

BEEPERS/CELL PHONES:            Beepers, cell phones, and similar devices MUST be turned off or put on vibrate during class. If a beeper, cell phone or similar device goes off in class, the person responsible will be asked to leave for the remainder of the class period.

SPECIAL NEEDS:            Students requesting special accommodations should be registered with the University's Office of Disabled Services and ask that written notification of approved accommodations be sent directly to the instructor.

HONOR PLEDGE:            All work completed for credit in this course will contain the following pledge written and signed by the student completing work. If, for any reason, you are unable to pledge your work please discuss your concerns privately with Dr. Marcon.

              "On my honor I pledge that I have neither given nor received help on this work
              nor am I aware of any violation on the part of others."

                                                                                            -------------------------------
                                                                                                    Signature

            For each assignment, make sure you understand the extent to which you may work with others. Ask if you are unsure. Any unethical or insensitive interactions with individuals you observe or study as part of the research projects could be penalized by failing the course. In addition, plagiarism is a violation of the UNF Academic Integrity Code and Section 6.22 of the APA Ethical Code of Conduct. It will result in a course grade of F and possible referral to the university disciplinary committee for further action.

IMPORTANT DUE DATES:

8/30  Homework #1                  10/4  Jacksonville Zoo              11/1  APA Paper #2

9/8    Homework #2                  10/5  Begin Single S Study        11/10  Test #3

9/15  Homework #3                  10/11  APA Paper #1               11/10  Presentations Begin

9/22  Test #1                            10/24  End Single S Study         11/29  Participation Grades

9/22  Sign-up for Presentations         10/27  Test #2                   12/1  Research Proposal

9/29   Homework #4;Operational
          Definitions for single S study

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