Psychology 3184F 001 FW24

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

Fall 2024

 

Psychology 3184F  Section 001

 

Research in the Psychology of Language

 

 

1     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): Both Psychology 2801F/G and Psychology 2811A/B, or both the former Psychology 2800E and the former 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 both Psychology 2801F/G and Psychology 2811A/B, or 70% or higher in the former Psychology 2820E (or 60% or higher in the former Psychology 2800E and the former 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, 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:                      Dr. Laura Batterink

Office & Phone:            Western Interdisciplinary Science Building 6124, x85409

Office Hours:                 Friday, 11-12 PM (held on Zoom) or by appointment

Email:                               lbatter@uwo.ca

 

Teaching Assistant:   TBA

 

Time and Location of Classes: see Student 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

 

No textbook is required for this course. Required articles will be posted on OWL.

 

4     Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

 

Include a table of specific learning outcomes for the course (edit the one below as you see fit), including the learning activities that support the outcome and the method(s) by which you will assess that learning outcome. NOTE: learning outcomes should be broadly aligned with the WESTERN DEGREE OUTCOMES (for a helpful alignment chart and more information, visit   https://teaching.uwo.ca/curriculum/wdo.html All classes do not need to cover all outcomes – but as classes become more advanced, it is expected that the more advanced outcomes will be covered.

 

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

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.

 

Final exam (2 new articles and questions)

 

Research project report (esp. Introduction)

Application of Knowledge.

 

 

Evaluate the appropriateness of different methodological approaches to address a specific psychological question

Group research project

Research project report

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

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

Awareness of Limits of Knowledge

 

Use evidence to support claims

Instruction in writing Introduction & Discussion sections

Research project report

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

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

Autonomy and Professional Capacity.

Apply ethical standards to the practice of their own research

Ethics instruction in class

Ethics forms for group project

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

Autonomy and Professional Capacity.

 

Work collaboratively with others to achieve a project goal

Group research project

Research project report

 

 

5     Evaluation

 

Course performance will be evaluated based on the following sources:

  1. Methods and results section for three pre-programmed experiments – combined 15%
  2. 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%

  1. Midterm data analysis test – 10%
  2. Final exam – 20%
  3. Class participation and low-stakes group assignments – combined 5%

 

The written report is expected to be at least 2500 words in length. A number of additional “low-stakes” assignments 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).

 

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

 

 

Late Assignments: Without submitted documentation (academic consideration from Academic Counselling), 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.

 

Midterm and final exams and oral presentations will be rescheduled only with documented academic consideration.

 

If you are ill and cannot attend class to complete one of the “low-stakes” group assignments, you may either Zoom in with your group to complete the assignment, or else simply skip the assignment. Because some student absences are expected, the lowest mark for the group assignments will be dropped from the final score.

 

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.

 

6     Assessment/Evaluation Schedule

 

Lab 1                                                      Sept 27

Lab 2                                                      Oct 4

Lab 3                                                      Oct 25

Data Analysis Test                          Oct 30

Proposal Presentation                  Nov 13

Complete Project Presentation Dec 4

Written Report                                 Dec 6

Final Exam                                        TBA – scheduled by Office of the Registrar              

 

 

7     Class Schedule

 

9-Sep

Course Introduction, software logistics

 

11-Sep

Overview of experimental methods

 

16-Sep

Excel spreadsheet instruction

 

18-Sep

Lab 1: Lexical decision task

23-Sep

Lab 1 analysis

 

25-Sep

Lab 2: Priming

 

30-Sep

National Truth and Reconciliation Day – No Class

 

02-Oct

Lab 2 analysis

 

7-Oct

Group project: initial research, select topic

 

9-Oct

Lab 3: Self-paced reading

 

14-Oct

Fall Reading Break (No class)

 

16-Oct

Fall Reading Break (No class)

 

21-Oct

Lab 3 Analysis

 

23-Oct

Speech processing; class experiment on effects of speaker gender on spoken word recognition; gender biases in AI voice recognition

 

28-Oct

Consultations on projects: research question

 

30-Oct

Data Analysis Test

 

4-Nov

Human Ethics

 

6-Nov

Introductions + Consultations on projects: methodology

11-Nov

Experiment programming tutorial session

 

13-Nov

Group project proposal presentations

18-Nov

Final experiment programming help session

 

20-Nov

Mechanisms of language learning: statistical learning and word segmentation

25-Nov

Participant Testing; peer review deadline for Intro & Methods (optional)

 

27-Nov

Consultations on Projects: data analysis

 

2-Dec

Event related potentials

 

4-Dec

Final project presentations

 

 

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

 

Computers will be used in this class. Students can use the laboratory computers or their own laptops. For some sections of tests and exams, computers will not be permitted, as indicated in the instructions

 

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.