Experimental Psychology
Instructor: Dr. John Vessey
Meets: TR,
Office: BGC M61
Office Hours: MWF
Office Phone: 752-5761
Email: John.T.Vessey@wheaton.edu
Texts:
Larry Christensen, Experimental Methodology 10th Ed. Allyn &Bacon (Required)
Keith Stanovich, How to Think Straight About Psychology 8th Ed. Allyn & Bacon (Required)
Course Objectives:
Psychology as a social science relies heavily on research findings to develop, test and evaluate theories about a variety of phenomena. We will go over a variety of commonly used methods, including non-experimental and quasi-experimental methods. However, the experimental method will be focused on in this course. The experimental method has many advantages and disadvantages that we will examine in light of conducting psychological research. The research experience is a valuable aspect of undergraduate training in that it helps students understand the 'nuts and bolts' of the theories that we read about in textbooks for other classes. Additionally, the active participation of students in research helps them to learn first-hand how to think critically to develop research projects to answer significant questions, evaluate the literature, and critically examine what experimental results do (and do not) say. We will engage you in an experiment that will also give you insight as to whether or not research is a calling for you individually. Ultimately, our hope is that you will approach your research (and the research of others) with an informed mind to interpret it from a Christian perspective.
Course Requirements:
1. Individual
Research Proposal (50 pts):
Students will design and propose a research project that utilizes a recognized
research method. A digital copy
should be e-mailed to the professor in
the form an MS Word attachment. A prototypical proposal is available on the
website.
2. Proposal
Review (10pts): Each student
will be required to review the research proposal selected for the research
group to which they have been assigned (more on this in class). A review
outlining comments and concerns about the study's design and ethical nature as
well as suggestions for enhancing the proposed study are to be e-mailed to the
professor in the form of an MS Word attachment.
3. Group
Proposal Revision (25 pts):
After the reviews, each research group will submit a revised proposal along
with a summary sheet detailing how review comments and concerns have influenced
the revision The group should submit a digital copy (e-mailed to the professor.
4. IRB Application and In-Class Review ( 15 pts)
Each group will engage in an
in-class review of another group’s protocol and a summary of the application
will be completed in class.
5. Exams
(150pts): Three exams will
be given during the semester. Questions will be taken from the readings as well
as from lectures. Exams will be multiple-choice.
6. Final
Group Paper (25 pts): After
the review process, each research group will revise their study and conduct the
experiment. Data collection and statistical analysis will be conducted and a
manuscript (hardcopy or digital copy) will be submitted that presents the
findings of the study.
7. Powerpoint
Presentation (25pts): During
the Final Examination period, each group will present the results of their
study in powerpoiont form.
8. Reaction
Papers and Discussion(60 pts):
Each student is to write a one-page reaction paper for each chapter in the
Stanovich book. These will be used in
class to stimulate discussion. Students
will need to be present in class to receive credit for that days paper and
discussion. Each day a few students may be chosen at random to read portions of
their papers to the class and have the class respond.
Grades:
Grades will be assigned on a 90/80/70 % scale
with the upper and lower 2% of each grade range assigned + and - grades
accordingly. Scores falling between 60 and 70% will be assigned a grade of D
(no + or - possible), and all scores falling below 60% will receive a failing
grade.
Class
Attendance and Participation:
All students are expected to attend the
lectures, and bring their assignments to class. Students are expected to have
read the assigned text and any other readings relevant to the topic(s) to be covered
prior to coming to the lecture. It is the student's responsibility to be aware
of additional information covered in the lectures not found in the book as well
as any changes in the syllabus announced in class.
Plagiarism:
A definition of plagiarism may be found in
the student’s handbook. Any student found to have committed plagiarism will
receive a failing grade for the assignment.
Tentative Class Schedule:
|
Date |
Subject |
Text |
Notes |
|
Jan 13 |
Intro |
|
|
|
15 |
Science |
C1, S1&2 |
|
|
20 |
Science |
C1, S3 |
|
|
22 |
Non-experimental approach |
|
|
|
27 |
Research Ideas |
|
|
|
29 |
Research Ideas—Meet in Library |
||
|
Feb 3 |
NO CLASS |
|
|
|
5 |
Experimental approach |
Topic Idea Due |
|
|
10 |
Exam 1 |
|
|
|
12 |
Ethics |
C5, C13 |
|
|
17 |
Reliability and Validity |
|
|
|
19 |
Validity in Research |
|
|
|
24 |
Control Techniques |
||
|
26 |
|
S4,S5 |
Groups Assigned |
|
Mar 3 |
Exam 2 |
|
|
|
6 |
Consultations |
|
|
|
17 |
|
S6 |
|
|
19 |
Experimental Designs |
Revised Group Proposal Due |
|
|
24 |
In-Class IRB |
|
|
|
26 |
|
S7, S8 |
|
|
31 |
Consultations |
|
|
|
Apr 2 |
Quasi-Experimental Designs |
|
|
|
7 |
Consultations |
|
|
|
9 |
No Class-Work on Project |
|
|
|
14 |
Consultations |
|
|
|
16 |
Single-Case Designs |
|
|
|
21 |
|
S9,S10 |
|
|
23 |
Consultations |
|
Preliminary Results Due |
|
28 |
Psychology’s Image |
S11,S12 |
|
|
30 |
Exam 3 |
|
|
*Scheduled Consultations: At times during a scheduled lecture hour, each lab group will be required to meet with me for a 15-20 minute session to discuss the progress that they are making and to deal with logistical matters. Sign up sheets for consultations will be available outside my office (BGC M254).