Psychology 2801F 001 FW24

Research Methods in Psychology I

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 2801F Section  001

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I

 

1     Calendar Description

 

This course will introduce students to the variety of ways to conduct research in psychology. Topics to be covered include the scientific approach to testing psychological theory; ethical issues in psychological research; developing and planning research projects; basics of measurement; survey research; best practices in research conduct.

 

Antirequisites: the former Psychology 2800E, the former Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2855F/G, Psychology 2856F/G, Health Sciences 2801A/B.

 

Prerequisites: At least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level; a passing grade (i.e., at least 50%) in Data Science 1000A/B and a passing grade (i.e., at least 50%) in 0.5 credit of Year 1 Math from among the following courses: Calculus 1000A/B, Calculus 1301A/B, Calculus 1500A/B, Calculus 1501A/B, Mathematics 1225A/B, Mathematics 1228A/B, Mathematics 1229A/B, Mathematics 1600A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1201A/B, or registration in Year 2 of an Honours Specialization in Neuroscience with special permission from the program administrator. Math 1228A/B is recommended. Students who have completed Statistical Sciences 1024A/B (or other introductory statistics course in addition to 0.5 credit of Year 1 Math) instead of Data Science 1000A/B may enrol after completing an introductory programming class from the following list: Computer Science 1025A/B, Computer Science 1026A/B, Computer Science 2120A/B, Data Science 1200A/B, Digital Humanities 2220A/B, or Engineering Science 1036A/B. Data Science 2000A/B may be substituted for Data Science 1000A/B for students entering the program with 1.0 credits of Year 1 Math courses.

 

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. Samantha Joel

Office Hours:                 see Brightspace for details

Email:                           sjoel2@uwo.ca

 

Teaching Assistants: TBA

Office:                               TBA

Office Hours:                 TBA

Email:                               TBA

 

Time and Location of Classes: See Student Timetable. Labs will be held every other week (see Section 7 below). Check the OWL course site for your lab section’s day/time.

 

3     Course Materials

 

This class uses an open textbook that is free to download:

 

Jhangiani, R. S., Chiang, I. A., Cuttler, C., & Leighton, D. C. (2020). Research Methods in Psychology (4th edition). Kwantlan Polytechnic University.

 

A PDF of the book is available on OWL. Alternatively, you can read it or download it in your preferred digital format from this website: https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/psychmethods4e/

 

If you prefer to read your textbooks in hardcopy, you can order this book on Amazon, or print the book at one of Western’s libraries for 10 cents a page (https://www.lib.uwo.ca/services/printingandphotocopying.html).

 

Lessons 7 and 9 include additional readings that can be found on the OWL course website.

 

 

4     Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

 

This course introduces the ways in which research is conducted in psychology. We shall consider a range of available research methods, including observation, archival research, questionnaire surveys, case studies, and experimentation. We’ll also consider topics closely allied to research design, such as ethics, report writing, and data presentation. In addition to providing training in research techniques needed for third- and fourth-year psychology courses (e.g., Psychology 4850), it is expected that Psychology 2801F will contribute significantly to the development of scientific thinking skills that students can apply to their future careers and in everyday life.

 

 

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge

·       Find and interpret original empirical research.

Lectures, readings, lab activities, lecture activities, and discussions

Generate research questions assignment, term paper, exams

Knowledge of Methodologies

·       Evaluate the appropriateness of different methodological approaches for specific research questions.

Methods assignment, peer review assignment, term paper, exams

Application of Knowledge

·       Generate your own research ideas and hypotheses.

·       Critically evaluate original empirical research.

Generating research questions assignment, theory assignment, peer review assignment, term paper

Communication Skills

·       Communicate accurately and clearly, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology

Term paper

Autonomy and Professional Capacity

·       Ensure that research adheres to ethical standards.

Term paper, exams

 

5     Evaluation

 

The course requirements, along with relative weightings in the determination of final grades, are:

  • Midterm                                         16%
  • Final Exam                                    26%
  • Class Participation                    8%
  • Laboratory Activities              20%
  • Term Paper                                   30%

 

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.

 

Exams. Students who receive academic consideration for an exam will be given an opportunity to write a makeup exam. The makeup may adhere to a different format from the original exam.

 

Class Participation. The class participation grade will be based on in-lecture poll participation using iClicker. You may miss up to 20% of in-class polls without a grade penalty. That is, you will receive a 100% attendance grade if you respond to at least 80% of the in-class polls. 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 missed elements.

 

Laboratory Activities. Laboratory activities will have a 24-hour submission window after the end of your lab session, after which submissions will not be accepted. If you receive academic consideration of a longer duration, the weight of a missed laboratory activity may be reassigned to the remaining ones within that semester.

 

Term Paper. The term paper will be docked for lateness at 5% per day, including weekends. Extensions may be granted with academic consideration. In the interest of fairness to the teaching assistants, extensions cannot be granted for more than two weeks past the original deadline.

 

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

 

 

Exams

Relevant Material

Worth

Date/Time

Midterm

Lectures & readings from Lessons 1 – 6

16%

Thursday, Oct. 31
2:30 – 4:30 PM

Final Exam

All lectures & readings from Fall semester, emphasizing material from Lessons 7 – 11

26%

TBA* (Dec. 10 – 22)

 

The midterm and final exam will both be held in person.

 

*For the final exam, the date and time are set by the Office of the Registrar. You can view the active exam schedules here: https://registrar.uwo.ca/academics/examinations/exam_schedule.html

 

 

Lab

Assignment Topic

Worth

Due Date

2

Generating Research Questions

5%

Sept. 23 – 28

3

Literature Reviews

5%

Oct. 7 – 11

4

Theory

5%

Nov. 4 – 9

5

Peer Review

5%

Nov. 18 – 23

 

Research Proposal

30%

Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024

 

 

 

 

7     Class Schedule

 

 

Week of

Lecture

Readings/ Listenings

Lab Session

Sept. 5

1: Introduction

---

---

Sept. 12

No Class

---

1. Lab Introduction

Sept. 19

2: Psychology as a Science

Chapter 1

---

Sept. 26

3: Your Own Research I

Chapter 2

2: Generating Research Questions

Oct. 3

4: Your Own Research II

Chapter 2

 

Oct. 10

5. Research Ethics

Chapter 3

3. Literature Reviews

Oct. 17

FALL READING WEEK (NO CLASSES)

Oct. 24

6: Theory

Chapter 4

 

Oct. 31

MIDTERM EXAM (Lessons 1 – 6)

Nov. 7

7: Open Science

Ep. 4 of Four Beers Podcast

4: Theory

Nov. 14

8: Measurement

Chapter 5

 

Nov. 21

9: Interpreting Graphs

Graphs

5. Peer Review

Nov. 28

10: Survey Research

Chapter 9

 

Dec. 5

11: Professional Development

---

 

TBA
(Dec.10 - 22)

FINAL EXAM (Lessons 1 - 11)

 

 

 

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

 

You may use laptops or tablets in this class to consult online readings or to take notes. Please keep in mind, however, that use of technology can be distracting – not only for you, but to others in the class. Please avoid the temptation to text, check social media, etc. in class.

Use of electronic devices is strictly prohibited during exams, with the exception of devices that have been approved for accessibility/accommodation purposes.

 

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.

 

Personal Response Systems (“Clickers”)

 

In classes that involve the use of a personal response system, data collected 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.

 

 

 

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.