Psychology 3780G-001 (Online for 2020-21)
Research in Social Psychology
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours; 0.5 course.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Lorne Campbell
Office: SSC 6328
Phone number: (519) 661-2111 ext. 84904 (I will not be in my office during the winter term so please
contact me via email)
Group Office Hours. Thursdays 1-2pm online (link to be shared via Owl)
Feel free to join with or without audio and/or video. Ask questions verbally, or type questions in the chat room. I will answer questions, record each session, and provide link to the video via Owl.
Individual Office Hours: If needed, please email me to set up a time to meet via Zoom.
Email: lcampb23@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: Nicolyn Charlot
Office: SSC 7335
Office hours: Fridays 11am-12pm online (link to be shared via Owl).
Email: ncharlot@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Classes and Labs: All classes and labs are online this fall, and my lectures as well as the weekly lab discussions will be presented asynchronously. Therefore video recordings from me as well as the TA will be posted each week for you to view at your discretion. Links will be provided via Owl.
I will host group office hours each week (see above for details) for anyone that would like to participate. You can ask questions via audio or using the chat function in zoom, and I will do my best to answer them. Feel free to join in even if you do not have a specific question to ask—students usually find listening to the questions of other study and my answers valuable and informative. If you would like to speak with me one-on-one please email me to set up a zoom appointment.
The TA, Nicolyn, will hold zoom office hours by appointment. Please contact your TA via email to set up a zoom meeting.
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western
http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.
CLASS FORMAT
Lecture Videos: These videos will consist of (a) a short lecture on the weekly topic, focusing on specific issues that enhance the coverage in the textbook or examine issues not discussed in the textbook, and (b) discussions of the written assignments for the course.
Lab Videos: In these videos the TA will discuss specialized techniques for manipulating or measuring variables in several areas of social psychology. Additionally, the TA will provide suggestions for the written assignments for the course.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Research Methods in Psychology – 2nd Canadian Edition: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/research-methods-in-psychology-2nd-canadian-edition (this is a free open access textbook)
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this course is to provide students with experience in most phases of social psychological research. The objectives are to develop the ability to critically evaluate research literature, to gain practical experience in planning, designing, and conducting experimental research, and to practice presenting and writing research reports and proposals.4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the term, students should have developed the following skills:
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge. Describe the replication crisis in social psychology, including identifying the factors that precipitated it, questionable research practices, and the steps the field has begun to implement to enhance research practices in social psychology. |
Lecture; Readings; Class discussion; Group project preparation
|
Critical review; Multiple choice exams; Group project |
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Application of Knowledge. Articulate the above concepts when critically evaluating published research and when designing research.
|
Lecture; Class discussions |
Independent project; Critical review; Multiple choice exams
|
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Integrate research findings on a topic relevant to social psychology and generate hypotheses and study design based on this previous work.
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Research projects; Class discussions; Readings
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Independent project; Class participation
|
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Application of Methodologies. Operationalize your research ideas by designing a social psychology experiment that exemplifies best practices in the field and coherently interpret the results of statistical analyses.
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Independent project; Group project; Class discussions; Lecture; Readings |
Independent project; Group project; Multiple choice exams |
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Communication Skills. Communicate research ideas and results (your own and others’) clearly and concisely, in language accessible to intelligent non-experts (oral and written formats).
|
Class discussion Project drafts Student feedback in class |
Newspaper article; Class participation; Independent project presentation; Group project presentation |
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Awareness of Limits of Knowledge. Identify questionable research practices when they appear in published research and articulate weaknesses/knowledge gaps within a topic area.
|
Lecture; Class discussions; Literature review |
Critical evaluation; Independent project report; Class participation |
|
Autonomy and Professional Capacity. Work collaboratively with others to develop a data analysis strategy and present results.
|
Group project |
Group participation ratings; Class participation |
5.0 EVALUATION
Please note that I do not make grade adjustments (e.g., applying a bell curve to the distribution of marks on a test or paper). Also, I cannot adjust marks on the basis of need (e.g., because a certain mark is necessary to get into a particular academic program).
Make-Up Exams: Tests must be written on the scheduled dates unless you have a legitimate excuse recognized by the university administration. Valid reasons include medical or compassionate reasons, and must be substantiated by proper documentation (e.g., a medical certificate, which will be verified by the Office of the Dean). A student who misses a regularly scheduled exam for other reasons, or who cannot justify a claim, will be assigned a 0 for the exam.
There will be six (6) components to the marking scheme: a Midterm Exam (worth 25%), a Final Exam (worth 35%), and four (4) written assignments (worth a total of 40%; part a = 5%, part b = 5%, part c = 15%, part d = 15%).
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulation, you must pass the essay component to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.
This course is exempt from the Senate requirement that students receive assessment of their work accounting for at least 15% of their final grade at least three full days before the date of the deadline for withdrawal from a course without academic penalty.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2190-2990 level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
MIDTERM TEST: Monday February 8th. You can start the exam anytime between the hours of 10am-4pm Eastern Standard Time, and will have 3 hours to complete the exam once begun.
FINAL EXAM: TBA (during exam schedule)
NOTE: The midterm test and final exam will not be proctored and are open book. It is expected that you will complete the examinations independently and not share your answers with other students.
Components of the Research Proposal
- Provide an overview of area of research within social psychology that is of interest to you and that you would like to investigate further. This should be no longer than 2 double spaced pages of text. Due on January 25th.
- Develop a specific hypothesis (or hypotheses) that you plan to investigate with an experiment. Your experimental design should include two (2) independent variables (IVs) that you would manipulate in a laboratory setting. Each IV needs to have at least two (2) levels, and a maximum of three (3) levels. This should be no longer than 2 double spaces pages of text. Due on February 12th.
- Write a brief introduction and methods section that lays out the logic of your hypothesis (or hypotheses), and discusses the specific experimental methods you plan to use to test your hypothesis (or hypotheses). The length of this document should be limited to 8 double spaced pages of text, and can incorporate elements of the prior written assignments. Due on March 1st.
- Using SPSS, create a fictitious data set to “test” your hypothesis (or hypotheses). For example, if you are proposing a 2 x 2 factorial design that therefore has four (4) study conditions, you will create fake data for participants in each of these conditions in such a way that you feel this data would support your hypothesis (or hypotheses). You need to create fake data for a minimum of 15 participants for each proposed study condition. You will also be required to analyse this fake data set and write a brief results section. The written results section should be no longer than 5 doubles spaced pages of text. You will also be asked to submit your fake data set and SPSS syntax you used to analyze your data. Due on April 2nd.
Only for legitimate medical or compassionate reasons will deadlines be extended.
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
- LECTURE, TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
|
DATE |
TOPIC |
READINGS |
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Week of January 11 Lecture Lab
|
Introduction Scientific Thinking |
Chapter 1 |
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Week of January 18 Lecture Lab
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Developing Research Ideas Reading and Critiquing Articles |
Chapters 2 & 4 Dziobek et al. (2005) |
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Week of January 25 Lecture Lab
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Designing and Constructing Experiments Field Experiments |
Chapter 6 |
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Week of February 1 Lecture Lab
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Other Types of Study Designs Tips for the midterm exam |
Chapter 7 |
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Week of February 8 Lecture Lab
|
TEST 1 (25%) (on Monday Feb. 8th) No lab this week |
|
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Week of February 15 Lecture Lab
|
Reading Week Reading Week
|
|
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Week of February 22 Lecture Lab
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Independent Variables Implicit and explicit measures
|
Chapters 8 & 9 |
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Week of March 1 Lecture Lab
|
Dependent Measures A primer on using SPSS |
Chapter 8
|
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Week of March 8 Lecture Lab
|
Validity and Realism Further tips on using SPSS, creating data, and saving syntax |
Chapter 5 Chapter 11 |
|
M Week of March 15 Lecture Lab
|
Research Ethics Moderation/mediation |
Chapter 3 |
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Week of March 22 Lecture Lab
|
Writing Reports Presenting research at conferences from a graduate student perspective |
Chapter 12 Chapter 13 |
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Week of March 29 Lecture Lab
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Classes end on April 5. I will post a video discussing tips for the final exam. No lab this week.
|
|
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Week of April 5 Lecture Lab
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Classes end. No video lecture this week.
|
|
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf
If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:
- Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
- For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
- For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
Students seeking academic consideration:
- are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;
- are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
- must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
10.0 Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown
In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the course that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online as determined by the course instructor.
11.0 STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE
In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:
- please “arrive” to class on time
- please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
- please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
- to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
- In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
- In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
- Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting
The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:
- If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
- Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
- Self-identify when speaking.
- Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).
General considerations of “netiquette”:
- Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
- Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
- Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
- Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.
Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.
12.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2020-2021 Calendar References
Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
