Introductions Why take research methods Because it is

Introductions

Why take research methods? “Because it is required” n Other good reasons: n n n Psychology is a science You may need to conduct a study Reading and evaluating other studies Becoming better “consumers” of science Become a “better thinker” • Making decisions in your daily lives

Course Format n Large Lecture Sections (MW 1 -1: 50) n n n Given by me (Dr. Cutting) Overview of the main issues in research methodology Exams (3) are in the lecture sections Class research project Labs on Th, F (depending on your section) n Given by your TAs • Amanda De. Vore (sections 02 & 05) • Rosaury Hernandez (sections 03 & 04) n “Hands on” experiences with research • In-lab exercises • Group research project

Your syllabus n It is on-line. n Reggie. Net available through My Illinois State portal n Backup: Write down the following address (in a couple of places) and bookmark it. n http: //psychology. illinoisstate. edu/jccutti/psych 231/f 19 syllabus. html

Textbooks n Required n The Process of Research in Psychology, 4 th Edition (Mc. Bride) n Lab Manual for Psychological Research, Revised 4 th Edition (Mc. Bride & Cutting)

Course Objectives & Topics n Basically the "nuts and bolts" of putting together and completing a research project in psychology. n n n Learning to review the primary literature Getting a research idea & formulating testable hypotheses Development and execution of a research plan • Selecting the methods for your study n n Basic analysis and interpretation of research results Presentation of the results (including APA style)

Course Requirements n 3 Exams (35%) n n Homework exercises (10%) n n n May take each up to 5 times, best score counts Lab Assignments (30%) n n n CITI ethics training (2%) 2 Journal article summary assignments (4% each) • research participation alternative for second On-line Quizzes (10%) n n Each is cumulative. First two are each worth 10% of your final grade. The final exam is worth 15% of your final grade. Lab exercises (15%) Lab Group research project (15%) Class Research project (15%) n n Project Proposal (5%) Final APA style manuscript(10%)

Experiments can be fun! n Are elephants afraid of mice? n Mythbusters: • n n n long (~8 min) Testable hypotheses Control groups Replication

n Are elephants afraid of mice? n Accept the myth or Test the myth n n long (~8 min) Testable hypotheses – is the phenomenon something that can be observed and tested Method – what is best way to make the observations to be tested? n n Control groups – comparisons are key Replication – are you more likely to believe something that happens once, or happens multiple times The Science of Mythbusting

Next time n n n Ways of knowing The Scientific Method Psychology as a Science n Chapter 1