Psychology 3184F-001
Research in the Psychology of Language
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
LONDON CANADA
Department of Psychology
2021 - 2022
Psychology 3184F Section 001
Research in the Psychology of Language
- CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce students to the variety of research methods used in the psychological study of language. Methods used to study reading processes, speech perception and comprehension, and spoken language production will be covered.
Prerequisite(s): Psychology 2800E, Psychology 2810 and one of Psychology 2115A/B, Psychology 2134A/B or Psychology 2135A/B, plus registration in third or fourth year Honours Specialization in Psychology or Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.
Third or fourth year Psychology Majors and Psychology Special Students who receive 70% or higher in Psychology 2820E (or 60% or higher in Psychology 2800E and Psychology 2810), plus 60% or higher in one of Psychology 2115A/B, Psychology 2134A/B or Psychology 2135A/B also may enrol in this course.
2 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours, 0.5 course
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.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Laura Batterink
Office: Western Interdisciplinary Science Building 6124
Phone Number: 519.661.2111, ext. 85409
Office Hours: Friday, 11-12 (held on Zoom), or by appointment
Email: lbatter@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: TBA
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Time and Location of Classes: Monday & Wednesday 10:30 – 12:30
Delivery Method: In Person
Exam Proctoring Method: In Person
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness @Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ 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.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
No textbook is required for this course. Required articles will be posted on OWL.
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
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Knowledge of Methodologies
Access, interpret and critically evaluate appropriate research in psychology. |
Read 7 assigned journal articles and answer accompanying thought questions in class
Participate in 3 in-class experiments and 3 lab visits (eye tracking, virtual baby lab, ERP).
Search for and read relevant literature for group research project.
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Final exam (2 new articles and questions)
Research project report (esp. Introduction) |
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Application of Knowledge.
Evaluate the appropriateness of different methodological approaches to address a specific psychological question |
Group research project |
Research project report |
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Application of Knowledge.
Formulate a research hypothesis to address a psychological question and design a research project to test that hypothesis. |
Group research project |
Research project report |
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Application of Knowledge.
Apply relevant quantitative skills to the analysis and interpretation of psychological phenomena |
Excel & SPSS instruction in class.
Analyze data from 3 in-class experiments.
Analyze data from group project. |
Results sections: 3 in-class experiments and group research project report
Data Analysis test |
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Awareness of Limits of Knowledge
Use evidence to support claims |
Instruction in writing Introduction & Discussion sections |
Research project report |
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Communication Skills.
Communicate in writing accurately, clearly and logically, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology |
Instruction in writing research reports |
Method and Results section for 3 in-class experiments Research project report |
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Communication Skills.
Communicate orally accurately, clearly and logically, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology |
Instruction in oral presentations of an experiment |
Group presentations of proposal and final project |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity. Apply ethical standards to the practice of their own research |
Ethics instruction in class |
Ethics forms for group project |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity.
Incorporate feedback to change performance |
Written feedback given on in-class lab reports |
Method and Results section for in-class experiments Research project report |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity.
Work collaboratively with others to achieve a project goal |
Group research project |
Research project report |
5.0 EVALUATION
Course performance will be evaluated based on the following sources:
- Methods and results section for three pre-programmed experiments – combined 15%
- Small group research project:
Oral presentation research proposal – 5%
Oral presentation completed project – 5%
Project execution and group participation (incl. ethics forms, programming of the experiment, data collection, self and peer ratings of group contribution) – 5%
Written report – 35%
- Midterm data analysis test – 10%
- Final exam – 20%
- Class participation; assignments and participation posts on OWL Forums– combined 5%
The written report is expected to be at least 2500 words in length. A number of additional “low-stakes” assignments and participation posts on OWL Forums are due throughout the course. These assignments are together worth a total of 5% of the final grade. The final exam will be mixed format (including both MCQ and short-answer format).
5.1 POLICY ON MISSING COURSEWORK
Late Assignments: Without submitted documentation (academic consideration from Academic Counselling or a Self-Reported Absence), a late penalty of 10% of the assignment’s value per day (e.g., 2 of the 20-point total value) will be applied to papers submitted after the deadline. If you have received academic consideration for this assignment, the deadline will be adjusted as recommended by Academic Counselling. If you have submitted a self-reported absence form for the period covering the deadline, you will receive a 48-hour extension.
Midterm and final exams and oral presentations will be rescheduled only with documented academic consideration.
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations, 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.
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-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
Note that in the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.
Policy on Grade Rounding: Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered. To maximize your grade, do your best on each and every assessment within the course.
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
Lab 1 Sept 26
Lab 2 Oct 3
Lab 3 Oct 17
Data Analysis Test Oct 20
Proposal Presentation Nov 15
Complete Project Presentation Dec 8
Written Report Dec 8
Final Exam TBA – scheduled by Office of the Registrar
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
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08-Sep |
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Course Introduction, software logistics |
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13-Sep |
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Overview of experimental methods |
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15-Sep |
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Excel spreadsheet instruction |
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20-Sep |
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Lab 1: Lexical decision task |
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22-Sep |
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Lab 1 analysis |
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27-Sep |
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Lab 2: Priming |
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29-Sep |
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Lab 2 analysis |
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04-Oct |
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Group project: choose topic, initial research |
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06-Oct |
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Lab 3: Self-paced reading |
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11-Oct |
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Thanksgiving (No class) |
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13-Oct |
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Lab 3 analysis |
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18-Oct |
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Consultations on projects: research question |
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20-Oct |
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Data Analysis Test |
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25-Oct |
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Writing Introductions + Midterm Update |
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27-Oct |
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Human Ethics |
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01-Nov |
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Fall Reading Break (No class) |
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03-Nov |
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Fall Reading Break (No class) |
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08-Nov |
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Consultations on projects: methodology |
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10-Nov |
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Eye-tracking |
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15-Nov |
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Group project proposal presentations |
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17-Nov |
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Consultations on projects: programming |
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22-Nov |
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Infant language studies |
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24-Nov |
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Participant Testing; peer review deadline for Intro & Methods (optional) |
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29-Nov |
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Infant language studies - Lab activity |
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01-Dec |
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Consultations on Projects: data analysis |
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06-Dec |
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Event related potentials |
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08-Dec |
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Project presentations |
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A full list of readings and assignments will be posted for each day to OWL.
8.0 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.
With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation, as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.
9.0 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.
10.0 POLICY ON THE USE OF EXAM PROCTORING SOFTWARE
When examinations and tests cannot be given in person (e.g., in courses coded as Distance Studies; in the event of a lockdown order), they may be conducted using either a monitoring platform such as Zoom or a remote proctoring service, such as Proctorio. If Zoom is used for exam invigilation, you will be required to keep your camera on for the entire session, hold up your student card for identification purposes, and share your screen with the invigilator if asked to do so at any time during the exam. The exam session using Zoom will not be recorded.*
If a remote proctoring service is used, the service will require you to provide personal information (including some biometric data). The session will be recorded. The instructor will alert you to the use of this software as close as possible to the start of the term, however, in the event that in-person exams are unexpectedly canceled, you may only be given notice of the use of a proctoring service a short time in advance. More information about remote proctoring is available in the Online Proctoring Guidelines. Please ensure you are familiar with any proctoring service’s technical requirements before the exam. Additional guidance is available at the following link: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/onlineproctorguidelines.pdf
* Please note that Zoom servers are located outside Canada. If you would prefer to use only your first name or a nickname to login to Zoom, please provide this information to the instructor in advance of the test or examination. See this link for technical requirements: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us
11.0 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 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.
12.0 CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR RETURN TO LOCKDOWN: IN-PERSON & BLENDED CLASSES
In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence or any other event 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.
13.0 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.
14.0 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
- 2021-2022 Calendar References
If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf
Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).
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.
Policy on the Recording of Synchronous Sessions: Some or all of the remote learning sessions for this course (if scheduled) may be recorded. The data captured during these recordings may include your image, voice recordings, chat logs and personal identifiers (name displayed on the screen). The recordings will be used for educational purposes related to this course, including evaluations. The recordings may be disclosed to other individuals participating in the course for their private or group study purposes. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns related to session recordings. Participants in this course are not permitted to privately record the sessions, except where recording is an approved accommodation, or the student has the prior written permission of the instructor.
General Class Policies
Quizzes and Exam
The midterm data analysis test will require you to apply data analysis skills learned during the course. The final exam will have a mixed format, and may include multiple choice questions, short-to-medium answer questions (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks, definitions, or questions that require a short- to medium- length written responses). The midterm test will be held during class time, as specified on the course schedule.
Course Readings
Course readings will be available to students via OWL.
Email Policy
I will respond to your email within 2 business days (Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM), though I try to respond within a single business day. I do not consistently monitor email on the weekend. If you haven’t heard from me within 2 days, please feel free to send another message. Please include the course reference number in the subject line (Psych 3184F).
Small Groups
At the beginning of the course, you will be assigned to a small group of 3-4 students. You will work closely with your small group over the semester. A key focus of the course will be the design and implementation of your own research project within your small group. At two points in the semester (approximately 1/3rd through the class and at the end), you will be asked to complete peer and self-ratings of team members on criteria related to preparation, effort and overall group citizenship. Ratings are used to adjust the final group grade for each student, using an autorating system. This is to encourage full participation and effort in this component of the course, and also to flag any potential problems relatively early on. You can also use your small group outside of the class time as a study group. The hope is that your small group will be able to support you in your learning of all aspects of the course material.
