PSY-255 Research Methods in Psychology

This course is the culmination of the AS degree in psychology. It will facilitate the hands-on exploration of scientific methods employed in the field of psychology and guide the conceptualization, design, and creation of a semester-long research proposal. This course will require students to examine, evaluate, and synthesize the knowledge and skills learned to this point, and to construct a meaningful reflective narrative of themselves as learners. It will also provide the opportunity to apply various topics with the field (e.g. , consciousness, motivation, learning, memory, cognition, etc.) to explain an aspect of behavior or propose a solution to a problem or challenge in the community.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Successful completion of PSY-100 with a C- or better.

Department

• Social Science

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer
• Winter

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

PSY 255: Research Methods in Psychology

Department

Social Science

Course Description

This course is the culmination of the AS degree in psychology. It will facilitate the hands-on exploration of scientific methods employed in the field of psychology and guide the conceptualization, design, and creation of a semester-long research proposal. This course will require students to examine, evaluate, and synthesize the knowledge and skills learned to this point, and to construct a meaningful reflective narrative of themselves as learners. It will also provide the opportunity to apply various topics with the field (e.g. , consciousness, motivation, learning, memory, cognition, etc.) to explain an aspect of behavior or propose a solution to a problem or challenge in the community.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Prerequisites

Successful completion of PSY-100 with a C- or better.

First Year Experience Course

No

Capstone Course

Yes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Explore the cultural, social, and ethical impact of different psychological theories and methodological approaches on both the individual and inclusivity in the community.
2. Design and propose an empirical research study based on critical evaluation of published psychological research on a specific topic.
3. Apply principles of psychological research methodologies to critically consume information and overcome cultural, social, and ethical challenges encountered in the student’s community and daily life.

Topic Outline

1. Sources of Information
   1. Reliable vs. Unreliable
   2. Research as the best route to reliable information
   3. Theory-data cycle
   4. Scientific process
2. Evaluating Research-Based Claims
   1. Frequency claims
   2. Association (correlation) claims
   3. Causal claims
3. Ethics in Psychology
   1. Ethical principles
   2. Ethical guidelines
   3. Ethical decision-making
4. Measurement
   1. Conceptual and operational definitions
   2. Dependent variables
   3. Scales of measurement
   4. Measurement validities
5. Surveys
   1. Developing well-worded questions
   2. Design for good participant responses
6. Sampling
   1. Populations vs. Samples
   2. Generalizability
   3. Cross-cultural concerns
   4. Sampling techniques
   5. External validity
7. Correlational Research
   1. Correlation is not causation
   2. Bivariate correlation
   3. Multivariate correlation
   4. Statistical validity
8. Experimental Research
   1. Independent variables
   2. Types of experimental design
   3. Internal validity
   4. Quasi-experimental designs
   5. Replication
9. Research Methods
   1. Developing a good research question
   2. Formulating hypotheses
   3. Designing a sound experiment
   4. Reading empirical research
   5. Writing a literature review
   6. APA format