Research Methods in Psychology

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
PSYC 2301
Discontinued
No
Course Code
PSYC 2301
Descriptive
Research Methods in Psychology
Department
Psychology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201930
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
Lecture: 3 hours per week / semester Lab: 1 hour per week / semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities

This course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

 

  • lectures
  • laboratory activities
  • small group discussion
  • problem based activities

 

There will be laboratory meetings throughout the semester in which students will develop and carry out their own research projects.

Course Description
This course introduces students to the scientific approach and the development of knowledge in Psychology. Through class and lab activities, students learn how to design, carry out, analyze and report on their own research projects. Students learn the critical analytic skills to evaluate psychological research properly.
Course Content
  1. The scientific understanding of behaviour
  2. Theories and falsifiability
  3. Developing questions, hypotheses and predictions
  4. Reviewing scientific literature
  5. Operational definitions and variables
  6. Ethical Research
  7. Testimonials and case study evidence
  8. Correlation and causation
  9. The experimental method
  10. Measurement concepts and practices
  11. Observational methods
  12. Surveys and questionnaires
  13. Experimental design
  14. Conducting experiments
  15. Multiple causation and complex experimental designs
  16. Quasi experimental and developmental research
  17. Understanding research results – describing data
  18. Probabilistic reasoning and chance – inferential statistics
  19. Converging evidence and consensus
  20. Generalizing results
  21. Research report writing
  22. The image of Psychology     
Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:

 

  1. Critically evaluate the design, measurement and inferential reasoning in psychological research articles.
  2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of knowledge in Psychology and identify common misunderstandings about Psychology.
  3. Identify the major ethical concerns as they apply to social research projects, especially those using human subjects.    
  4. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods and designs (e.g., case studies, experiments, quasi-experiments, surveys, observational studies)
  5. Design, conduct, and analyse research projects.
  6. Write a research report using APA guidelines.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  Evaluation will be based on course objectives and may include some of the following: quizzes, multiple choice exams, essay type exams, term paper or research project, computer based assignments, etc.  The instructor will provide the students with a course outline listing the criteria for course evaluation at the beginning of the semester.

 

An example of one evaluation scheme:

 

2 midterm exams  40%
Research project report    30%
Final exam  30%
Total 100%
Textbook Materials

Textbook(s) such as the following, the list to be updated periodically:

 

Cozby, Paul C. & Bates, S.C.(2012) Methods in Behavioral Research (11th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing

 

Stanovich, K.E. (2009) How to Think Straight about Psychology (9th Ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon

 

Prerequisites

PSYC 1100 AND PSYC 1200

Which Prerequisite

PSYC 3300, PSYC 3301 and PSYC 3385