Psychology 430 Advanced Experimental Psychology
Fall 2008 / Section 001220

                        Tentative Schedule

Required Texts: 

Kantowitz, B. H., Roediger, H. L., & Elmes, D. G.  Experimental Psychology (8^th ed.), Wadsworth.

Rosnow & Rosnow (7th ed.). Writing Papers in Psychology. (Should have this from Psy 231/232).

Galvan, J. L.  Writing Literature Reviews (3^rd ed.), Pyrczak Publishing--for reference only--not required.

There will also be several readings added to the schedule throughout the semester. These readings will be made available at the library reserve desk.
 

Course Description:  Course emphasizing report writing (APA editorial style), and application of research methodology and statistics.  Prerequisite:  A passing grade in Psy 330, and an APA-style research proposal. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

As a result of taking this course, you will be able to:

1. Read and review psychological research more critically.
2. Understand major topic areas within experimental psychology.
3. Develop research stimuli and surveys.
4. Prepare an application for the Institutional Review Board
5. Develop and implement a research protocol.
6. Collect and analyze data to answer a specific research question.
7. Present scientific information effectively in both written and verbal formats.
8. Incorporate technology into the research process.
    

Special Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Assignments and Grading:  

There are no formal exams in this class.  However, we will have two small quizzes.  We will also have several in-class and out-of-class lab assignments.  Assignment requirements and point totals will be announced in class.  The major assignment for this class is the development of an APA-style research paper.  Here is a list of major assignments for this semester:

• Area Article Presentation: 40 points
• 2 Quizzes: 25 points each (50 points total)
• 5 Lab Reports: 20 points each (100 points total)
• Final Research Presentation: 60 points
• Research Paper: 200 points total
• You will also be graded on the extent to which you actively participate in class (50 points)
   

Research Paper: (200 pts.) Students are required to complete an experiment in the content area of the course, preferably a study that does not constitute a direct replication. Students should discuss the concept and methodology with the instructor before proceeding.  Consult the course schedule for due dates.  You are expected to meet with the instructor as needed to discuss your project and oral presentation. 

Two written products will be worth a total of 200 points. Each student must submit (1) completed ethics forms with all required attachments plus the on-line training certificate (90 points), as well as (2) a final research report with an IRB completion report (110 points). Specific requirements and expectations will be discussed at length in class. See the course schedule for due dates. Late paper submissions will incur an automatic deduction of one letter grade for each calendar day they are late—no exceptions.

Final Research Presentation: (60 pts.)  In addition to the written product, students are expected to make an oral presentation of their final research project to the class (60 points).  The presentation should be 10 minutes long. These presentations should be treated as if you are presenting your study at a psychology conference.  It is expected that students will use PowerPoint for their presentations.

You are solely responsible for determining the time schedule for project completion.  The following sequence is suggested to help conceptualize the steps in the process. Major deadlines will be posted in the course schedule. You will need to construct and adhere to a time line to meet the deadlines. Early paper assignments (e.g., IRB materials, final papers) are encouraged and welcomed.  It is expected that you should have begun the first three steps in the 330 class.

·        Define the problem
·        Review the literature
·        Write the proposal
·        Revise the proposal with instructor’s suggestions and prepare department form (Professor is considered principal investigator and, therefore, has final say on what is submitted to the Ethics Committee.)
·        Obtain Ethics Committee’s Approval (allow one to two weeks to receive approval, as well as time for possible revisions)
·        Recruit participants
·        Collect data
·        Revise/complete literature review as data are collected
·        Data analysis
·        Revise Method section of proposal to reflect any changes and use past tense
·        Organize and write the results section
·        Organize and write the discussion section
·        Submit the completed research paper (two copies of final paper, a copy of your data on disk, consent forms, and IRB Project Completion Form) 
    * Also, remember to post a summary of the results on the bulletin board. Be sure to include your name and the name of your project

            Class participation: (50 pts) Class participation in the form of attendance, discussion, and presentation is an absolutely essential component of this class. Psychologists must learn and practice communication skills necessary to present, persuade, and discuss with colleagues, both in casual and professional interactions.  Be prepared to discuss assigned readings and the questions in the homework assignments. Also be prepared to summarize, evaluate, and generate discussion regarding your research project and those of your class mates.

Grades will be assigned using the following scale:

A = 90-100% of total points

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = less than 60%

Student Responsibilities:

As a student in this class, you have certain responsibilities.  You are responsible for:

1. Knowing all information in the syllabus, including due dates and procedures for assignments and grading. 
2. Checking the course website for class announcements or changes.
3. Completing the reading assignments before each class and taking an active role in learning the material. 
4. Seeking assistance from the instructor in a timely fashion. 
5. Monitoring your performance in this class, including keeping track of your points.
6. Informing the professor ahead of time in the case of special needs. 
7. Arriving to and leaving class on time so as not to disturb the professor or other students.  Also, all electronic devices, such as cell phones, must be turned off upon entering the classroom. 

Academic Honesty:  The MSUM Student Handbook (http://www.mnstate.edu/sthandbook) discusses student conduct code issues including academic integrity such as cheating or plagiarism. If you have any questions regarding this conduct code or your rights, please review the handbook.

Copying papers from classmates or other sources (including the web) is not only cheating, but is plagiarism and the equivalent of scholarly or “literary” stealing.  You must cite your sources!  In the event that you are caught plagiarizing or copying, you will fail this course.