Research Methods 5070 version
Spring, 2011
9:10-10:05 MWF, PH 204
 
[Syllabus] [Lab Syllabus]

Instructor:  Dr. William Langston
Office:  JH 348
Phone:  898-5489 (office)
email:  wlangsto@mtsu.edu
Office Hours:  12-1 T, 3-4 W, drop in anytime, calling first is a good idea, email for appointments. 
 
[Text] [Description] [Responsibilities] [Grading] [Policies] [Calendar]
 
Required Text:
 
Ray, W.J.  (2009).  Methods Toward a Science of Behavior and Experience (9th Ed.).  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth.

Options to purchase eBook or chapters: https://www.ichapters.com/tl1/en/US/storefront/ichapters?cmd=catProductDetail&showAddButton=true&ISBN=978-0-495-59491-8

Chapters I recommend (the bare minimum):
2: Propositional logic, terms
8-9: Experimental design, factorials, the outcomes of a 2X2
 
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Course Description:
 
In this course we will discuss how to design and conduct research in psychology.  We will focus on several types of design including observation, correlational studies, surveys, and “true” experiments.  We will also focus on how to report the results of experiments to others, and on how to interpret the results of experiments.
 
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Course Responsibilities:
 
1.  Exams:  We will have three exams spaced evenly throughout the semester.  These exams will be cumulative (that’s just the way this material works).  Exams are worth 100 pts. each.
2.  Final:  There will be a comprehensive final covering everything in the course.  The final is worth 200 pts.
3.  Quizzes/Exercises:  We will have a quiz or homework each week.  I will count your top 10 quiz/exercise scores, so there will be no make-ups for missed quizzes or late homeworks.  These assignments are worth 10 pts. each.
4.  Research report:  You will write one report based on a lab project.  In addition, you will write a research report on your independent project, and that report will play a role in your grade.
 
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Points/Grades:
 
Assignments: Description: Points:
Exams
 3 @ 100 each
 300
Final
200
Quizzes/Homeworks
 10 @ 10 each
 100
Research report
100
Lab
graded separately (see lab syllabus)
TOTAL
700
Your grade will be based on the number of points earned. 

Totals: >630 = A, >609 = B+, >581 = B, >560 = B-, >539 = C+, >511 = C, >490 = C-, >469 = D+, >441 = D, >420 = D-, >0 = F.

The grade for the lab will be determined using the policies outlined on the lab syllabus.  It may appear on the surface that 1/4 of the course (the lab) accounts for only 1/8 of the grade.  However, all of the work on the paper will be done in the lab, so those points are also lab points.  The category labeled "lab" accounts for the leftover lab activities (attendance, project, etc.).
 
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General Policies:
 
1.  Attendance:  Attendance is mandatory.  I will pass around a sign-up sheet every day.  Only people with perfect attendance will be allowed to take advantage of extra credit opportunities.
2.  Late policy:  Complete assignments on time.
 
 Type of assignment: Penalty
Homeworks
 Not accepted after Friday of the week they’re due
Quizzes
 No make-ups offered 
Papers* 

     Late, but doesn't inconvenience me 
 No penalty
     Some level of inconvenience 10% - 100%
*Papers turned in before I start grading are not late, regardless of the due date.
 
3.  Grading guarantee (my late policy):  Exams will be returned within one week of the exam date.  Papers will be returned within two weeks of the final due date.  Bonus points will be awarded at the rate of five points per incomplete exam/paper per day until they are graded.  Bonus points will be divided equally amongst all assignments turned in to me on time, for anyone with perfect attendance.
4.  Missed exams:  If you know in advance, notify me to make arrangements.  Make-ups will only be given in cases where some emergency forced you to miss the exam.
5.  Course notes are available on the web at www.mtsu.edu/~wlangsto/RM.html
6.  Drop deadlines:  The last day to drop without a grade is January 26.  The last day to drop is March 25 (you will receive some sort of grade).  If you stay in the class after March 25, you will not be able to drop unless you experience a major tragedy or emergency.  I am not the person who makes that determination.  Incompletes will only be given if you have successfully completed the majority of the coursework and were prevented from finishing by a major tragedy or emergency.
7.  Any student engaging in any form of academic misconduct will lose credit for the relevant assignment and will be subjected to the appropriate university judicial proceedings.
8.  If you experience problems in the course, see me.  You’re welcome in my office anytime.
9.  Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities:  If you require assistance or accommodation (e.g., testing, note-taking, etc.) due to a disability, or you have questions related to such accommodations, speak to me as soon as possible.  Also, the office of Disabled Student Services (898-2783) can provide information about such accommodations.
 
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Schedule of events:
 

Week of:  Topic: Notes: Read: 
1/10
 Course introduction 
 1
 Ch. 1
1/17 Holiday, Monday, 1/17


Science 2
1/24 Hypotheses
 3
 Chs. 2 (pp. 41-47), 3, 7
1/31
Ethics 4 Ch. 4
2/7 Measurement 
5 Ch. 5, 6

Exam 1 Friday, 2/11

2/14 Kinds of design 
6 
 Ch. 2 (pp. 26-41)

Observation research
 7
 Ch. 12 (pp. 292-298)
2/21 Surveys
 8
 Ch. 14
2/28
Simple experiments
 9
 Chs. 8, 9, 10, 11

Within participants designs
 10
3/7 S P R I N G  B R E A K


3/14 Multiple groups designs 11
  

Exam 2 Friday, 3/18

3/21 Start factorial designs 
12 Ch. 9
3/28 More factorial designs


Strong inference 13
4/4 More factorial designs


Exam 3 Friday, 4/8

4/11 Non-experimental designs
 14
 Chs. 12 (pp. 269-292), 13

Interpretation


MTPA, Saturday, April 16th, 8:30 AM, MTSU

4/18 Correlational vs. experimental approaches


4/25
 Wrap-up





Final
 Final examination due Wednesday, 5/4, by 12:00 PM

Please note:  Some due dates and topics may shift to later dates.  In no event will due dates be moved to an earlier date. 

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Research Methods Syllabus 5070
Will Langston
 
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