Psychology 2855F 001 FW24

Research Methods in Psychology I

Western University

London                   Canada

 

Department of Psychology

Fall/Winter 2024

 

Psychology 2855F Section 001

 

Research Methods in Psychology I

 

 

1     Calendar Description

 

This course will introduce students to the variety of ways research is conducted in psychology. Topics to be covered include the scientific approach, ethical issues in human and animal research, specific experimental and non-experimental designs, and APA writing style.

https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/academics/timetables.html

 

Antirequisites: Psychology 2800E, Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2840F/GHealth Sciences 2801A/B.

Prerequisites: A mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level.

 

2 lecture hours; 2 laboratory hours; Course Weight: 0.5

 

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     Course Information

 

Instructor:                  Caroline Strang

Office & Phone:          519.661.2111 ex.89759

Office Hours:              see Brightspace for details

Email:                          cstrang@uwo.ca

 

Teaching Assistant:   TBA

Office:                         TBA

Office Hours:              TBA

Email:                          TBA

 

Time and Location of Classes: see Student Centre for Timetable

 

For courses that include an online component, students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.

 

3     Course Materials

 

Research Methods in Psychology – 4th edition

Authors: Rajiv Jhangiani, I-Chant A. Chiang, Carrie Cuttler, & Dana C. Leighton This is an OPEN ACCESS textbook available online at https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/

A hard copy version is available for purchase. ISBN – 10: 1085976920

 

4     Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge

·         Analyse published articles and experiments in psychology

lectures, laboratory activities, group discussions, readings

Analyse and present a published research paper

Knowledge of Methodologies

·         Recognize and compare experimental and non-experimental designs in psychology

Tests, exam, lab activities, ethics documents

Application of Knowledge

·         Critique experimental work and formulate new research ideas

Research Proposal

Communication Skills

·         Identify and describe the important aspects of published research articles in psychology

Research proposal, group presentation

Autonomy and Professional Capacity

·         Develop oral and writing communications skills

·         Understand the ethical standards for research in psychology

Research proposal, group presentation, ethics documents

 

5     Evaluation

 

Essay Requirement: Evaluation consists of two components: (1) exams that cover lecture material and (2) lab work (research proposal). Each is worth 50% of the course final mark. Students must pass both the class component and the lab component to receive a final passing mark in the course.

 

Lecture component

Tests cover lecture material: There will be two non-cumulative tests in this course. Tests are based on lecture material and the course textbook. Tests are equally weighted, so each contributes 25% to the final course mark (2 tests x 25% = 50% for class component). Tests may include questions in several formats, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, definitions, and short answer. All tests are closed book with no aids allowed.

 

Lab component

Oral presentation (12%): The oral presentation will be performed in groups to be assigned by the instructor. Each group will pick a primary research article from a provided list of preapproved articles to present to the class using PowerPoint. In addition, the group should note any shortcomings in the study’s design and the interpretation by the authors and propose new research to address shortcomings and/or extend the work to a further research question of interest. Groups have the option of presenting live or prerecording their presentation, but all group members must be present to answer questions following the presentation. Every member of the group will receive the same mark.

 

Research Proposal (34%): Each student will individually generate an original research proposal of approximately 6 pages/1500 words (excluding title page and references). The proposal will follow APA style guidelines and build on published research on a topic in psychology of the student’s choice. All written work in this course must be submitted electronically through the course website.

 

The proposal will be completed in a series of assignments:

  1. Topic & Annotated Bibliography (3%): Topic & list of 2 relevant references with one sentence justification for their inclusion
  2. Abstract and Proposal Outline (6%): Abstract and Outline of the full proposal
  3. Ethics Documents (3%): Each student must complete ethics documents for their proposal. These documents will be submitted prior to the research proposal, reviewed, and then the final revised version must be submitted with the final research proposal.
  4. Final proposal, including ethics documents (22%): 2% of this grade is for submission of revised ethics documents

 

Participation (4%): For 9 of the labs there will be .5 participation grades for completion of in class activities. Only 8/9 lab participation grades will count towards the final 4% participation grade.

 

 

The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in section 4 and are necessary for meeting these learning objectives

 

Policy on Missing Coursework

University policy on academic considerations are described here. This policy requires that all requests for academic considerations must be accompanied by a self-attestation. Further information about academic considerations, and information about submitting this self-attestation with your academic consideration request may be found here. Please note that any academic considerations granted in this course will be determined by the instructor, in consultation with the academic advisors in your Faculty of Registration, in accordance with information presented in this course outline.

 

Test 1: Students who are approved for accommodation will be able to write a makeup test. The makeup may be a different format that the original test.

 

Test 2: Test 2 takes place in the final exam period and is subject to the university rules for examinations scheduled by the registrar (i.e. supporting documentation is required for accommodation).

 

Presentation: Please note that this assessment is considered to be central to the learning objectives for this course. Accordingly, students seeking academic consideration for this assessment will be required to provide formal supporting documentation. Students who are granted academic consideration for this assessment will be provided with the following opportunity to make up this work: alternate presentation format.

 

Participation: Participation grades will be awarded based on work completed during labs. You can miss 1 of the graded labs and still obtain 100% on the participation grade. Please note, because not all elements of this assessment are required in the calculation of the final course grade, the instructor reserves the right to deny academic consideration for these missed elements.

 

Ethics documents: Late penalties will not be applied for the first 48h past the deadline and will then be applied at 5% per day, with weekends counting as a single day. Please note, assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a numerical grade, but may not receive written feedback.

 

Annotated bibliography: Late penalties will not be applied for the first 48h past the second deadline and will then be applied at 5% per day, with weekends counting as a single day. Please note, assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a numerical grade, but may not receive written feedback.

 

Abstract & Outline: Late penalties will not be applied for the first 48h past the deadline and will then be applied at 5% per day, with weekends counting as a single day. Please note, assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a numerical grade, but may not receive written feedback.

 

Final Proposal: Late penalties will not be applied for the first 48h past the deadline and will then be applied at 5% per day, with weekends counting as a single day. Please note, assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a numerical grade, but may not receive written feedback.

 

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%.

 

The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines:  https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf

 

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

 

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.

 

6     Assessment/Evaluation Schedule

 

Component

Weight

Date/

Deadline

Test #1

25%

October 22nd (in class)

Test #2

25%

Final Exam Period

Presentation

12%

October 24 & 31

Participation

4%

See class schedule

Research Proposal

34%

See below for component deadlines

Annotated Bibliography

3%

October 24th

Abstract & Outline

6%

November 7th

Ethics documents

(initial submission)

3%

November 14th

Final Proposal &

revised ethics documents

22%

December 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

7     Class Schedule

 

Week/Class

Date

Description

Assignments and/or Readings Due

 

 

e.g., topic, content

e.g., quiz, paper, group project, exam.

1

Lab

Sept 5th

Introductions/Course Overview

 

 

2

Lecture

Sept 10th

Psychology as a Science/Scientific Method

Readings: Chapter I & Chapter II

Lab

Sept 12th

Scientific Method

Readings: Chapter I & Chapter II

 

3

Lecture

Sept 17th

Research Ethics

Readings: Chapter III

Lab

Sept 19th

Literature in Psychology

Special Instructions: presentation groups assigned

*Participation Grade*

 

4

Lecture

Sept 24th

Psychological Measurement

Readings: Chapter IV

Lab

Sept 26th

Presenting a Research Article/Literature Review

Readings: Chapter XI – 50.

Special Instructions:

computers will be used in class

*Participation Grade*

 

5

Lecture

Oct 1st

Experimental Research

Readings: Chapter V

Lab

Oct 3rd

Group Meetings

Special Instructions:

Each group will have a scheduled meeting time

*Participation Grade*

 

6

Lecture

Oct 8th

Non-Experimental Research & Correlations

Readings: Chapter VI

Lab

Oct 10th

No Lab

 

7

Lecture

Oct 15th

Reading Week

Lab

Oct 17th

 

8

Lecture

Oct 22nd

Test #1 (25%)

Test: during class, lecture & textbook material from weeks 1-6

Lab

Oct 24th

Presentations

Special Instructions:

Annotated Bibliography Due

*Participation Grade*

 

9

Lecture

Oct 29th

Quasi-experimental research & Single-subject designs

Readings: Chapters VIII & X

Lab

Oct 31st

Presentations

*Participation Grade*

 

10

Lecture

Nov 5th

Surveys & Sampling

Readings: Chapter VII

Lab

Nov 7th

Project discussions/Peer feedback

Special Instructions:

Abstract & Outline Due

*Participation Grade*

 

11

Lecture

Nov 12th

APA formatting & plagiarism

Readings: Chapters XI

Lab

Nov 14th

Ethics documents

Special Instructions:

Computers will be used in class

Ethics documents due

*Participation Grade*

 

12

Lecture

Nov

19th

Between-subjects designs

Readings: Chapter V

Lab

Nov

21st

Proposal Checklist & Computer Programming for Research

Special Instructions:

Computers will be used in class

*Participation Grade*

 

13

Lecture

Nov 26th

Using and interpreting statistics and graphs

Readings: Chapters XII & XIII

Lab

Nov 28th

Introduction to animal research: Bumblebees

 

Special instructions:

Live bumblebees will be in class

*Participation Grade*

 

14

Lecture

Dec 3rd

Review Session/Exam prep

Special Instructions:

Research Proposals & Revised Ethics Documents @ 11:55pm

Lab

Dec 5th

No Lab

 

Final Exam Period

Test # 2 (25%)

Test: Lecture and textbook material from weeks 9-13

 

 

8     Academic Integrity

 

Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.

 

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.

 

Statement on Use of Electronic Devices

 

Students can use electronic devices in class (laptops, tablets, cell phones). Please do so respectfully and avoid distracting classmates, the professor, or teaching assistant.

 

Use of electronic devices is prohibited during tests/exams unless specific accommodations have been given.

 

Plagiarism Detection Software

 

All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism.  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.

 

Use of AI

 

The use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to produce written work is not permitted unless permission is granted by the instructor for specific circumstances. Any work submitted must be the work of the student in its entirety unless otherwise disclosed. When used, AI tools should be used ethically and responsibly, and students must cite or credit the tools used in line with the expectation to use AI as a tool to learn, not to produce content.

 

Multiple Choice Exams

 

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.

 

9     Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education

 

View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link.

 

Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.

If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information.  Email: aew@uwo.ca  Phone: 519 661-2147

 

10  Absence & Academic Consideration

 

View Western’s policy on academic consideration for medical illnesses this link

 

Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.

 

Medical Absences

 

Submit a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for Academic Consideration.

 

Nonmedical Absences

 

Submit appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

 

Religious Consideration

 

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.

 

11  Other Information

 

 

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.

 

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 in writing 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.

 

12  Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.