Syllabus: Psychology 301

Research Methods in Psychology

Fall, 2001

Instructor: G. Janet Yun

Office: Robinson B210

Phone: 933-3706 (ex. 4)

Office Hours: Tuesday 4:30 ~ 6:00; or by appointment

E-mail:

Class Web Page:

Class Hour and Room: Wednesday 7:20 ~ 9:10 pm, Robinson A208

Required Textbook:

Shaughnessy, J., Zechmeister, E., & Zechmeister, J. (2000). Research Methods in Psychology (5th Edition), McGraw-Hill Higher Education: Boston. (Required)

MELLAB. Psychological Software. (Required). Be sure to purchase only new copies of this software.

Thaiss, C., Sanford, J. F. (2000). Writing for Psychology. Allyn & Bacon. (Recommended)

Course Overview and Objectives

  • This course focuses on research methods used in psychology.
  • The major goal of the course is to provide students with a strong foundation in the study of the various methods that psychologist use to study human behavior.
  • Using a variety of content areas (e.g., clinical psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, developmental psychology), we will explore the way experimentation is applied to the development and refinement of our understanding of human behavior.
  • Each chapter/lecture will present a type of research methodology and we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods.
  • This process will then enable the student to critically evaluate the nature of the evidence obtained using each method.
  • We will examine some of the basic ways in which data are compiled and analyzed for the various research methodologies.
Attendance and Participation

While class attendance will not be taken, you are responsible for all material covered in class, including all notes, and announcements. Participation is strongly encouraged.

Extra Credit

Students may participate in experiments for up to five (5) hours for extra credit. One point will be awarded per hour. Extra credit points will be added to your final grade for the lecture portion of the course. To sign up to participate in an experiment, go to the following website:

Grading Policy

  1. The lecture portion of the course will constitute 60% of your final grade. The lab grade will constitute 40% of the final grade.
  2. There will be 4 exams in total. But, only 3 top scores will be considered as 60% of the final grade. Therefore, you will be allowed to drop one exam, and no make-up exams will be given.
  3. Your lab instructor will be totally responsible for conducting the lab sessions and for assigning a grade to you for lab (which is 40% of your total grade). A separate syllabus will be provided for the lab.
  4. The GMU Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this class.
  5. Summary

Lecture Assignment / Points

3 Exams

/ 3 X 100 = 300
Psychology Experiments (Extra Credit)* / 1 point per hour (5 hours max)
Class Schedule
Date / Material to be Covered / Reading
08-29-2001 (1) / Introduction to Research Methods / Chapter 1
09-05-2001 (2) / Ethics/ Observational Methods / Chapter 2 & 3
09-12-2001 (3) / Correlational Research / Chapter 4
09-19-2001 (4) /
Exam 1
/ Chpts: 1 ~ 4
09-26-2001 (5) / Intro to Experimental Methods/ Independent Group Designs / Chapter 6
10-03-2001 (6) / Within and Between-subject designs/Analysis of Experiments / Chapter 6
10-10-2001 (7) / Repeated Measures Designs /

Chapter 7

10-17-2001 (8) /
Exam 2
/ Chpts: 6 ~ 7
10-24-2001 (9) / Complex Designs and Analysis of Experiments/ Complex Designs / Chapter 8
10-31-2001 (10) / Complex Designs / Chapter 8
11-07-2001 (11) / Single Case Study / Chapter 9
11-14-2001 (12) /

Quasi-Experimental

/ Chapter 10
11-21-2001 (13) /
Exam 3
/ Chpts: 8 ~ 10
11-28-2001 (14) / Review
12-05-2001 (15) /
Final Exam
/ Chpts: 1 - 10

Note: Dates are subject to change if necessary. Any revisions to this syllabus will be announced during class time. It is your responsibility to make note of any changes in this syllabus.