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PIA 245: Psychological Research
4 credits
This course reviews applications of different research methods used by psychologists. A major objective is to design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions using appropriate research methods. Students design, collect data, analyze and interpret results of research studies and review research ethics and appropriate use of human subjects. (Learning Goals:Q,L;Distribution Reqs:Social Sciences)
Learning Goals
(1) Describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology. (2) Explain different research methods used by psychologists. a. Describe how various research designs address different types of questions and hypotheses b. Articulate strengths and limitations of various research designs c. Distinguish the nature of designs that permit causal inferences from those that do not (3) Evaluate the appropriateness of conclusions derived from psychological research. a. Interpret basic statistical conclusions b. Distinguish between statistical significance and practical significance c. Evaluate the validity of conclusions presented in research reports (4) Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions using appropriate research methods (information literacy objectives are in italics)a. Locate and use relevant databases, research, and theory to plan, conduct, and interpret results of research studies b. Formulate testable research hypotheses, based on operational definitions of variables c. Select and apply appropriate methods to maximize internal and external validity and reduce the plausibility of alternative explanations d. Analyze, interpret, and report data using appropriate statistical strategies to address different types of research questions and hypotheses e. Recognize that theoretical and sociocultural contexts as well as personal biases may shape research questions, design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation (5) Follow (and/or know how to follow) the APA Code of Ethics in the treatment of human and nonhuman participants in the design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of psychological research. (6) Generalize research conclusions appropriately based on the parameters of particular research methods. a. Exercise caution in predicting behavior based on limitations of single studies b. Recognize the limitations of applying normative conclusions to individuals c. Acknowledge that research results may have unanticipated societal consequences d. Recognize that individual differences and sociocultural contexts may influence the applicability of research findings (7) Be able to write a research paper in APA style.INFORMATION LITERACY LEARNING GOALS AND ASSESSMENTInformation Literacy Learning Goal: Lectures and ActivitiesLectures and activities relating to this goal will be integrated into the course. The topics to teach information literacy include the following (handouts are available on Moodle):1. Using Library Resources a. Finding Booksb. Finding Journal Articlesc. Finding Review vs. Research Articlesd. Limiting Research results to research articles e. Searching various databases: PsycNet, SocINDEX, EBSCO f. Finding a study within a review articleg. Retrieving Full Text2. Database Search Strategy Worksheeta. Topic to researchb. Identifying key conceptsc. Choose Databases to search3. How to conduct a literature search for research purposesAssessment of Learning Goala) APA Style Research Paper
*The learning goals displayed here are those for one section of this
course as offered in a recent semester, and are provided for the purpose of
information only. The exact learning goals for each course section in a
specific semester will be stated on the syllabus distributed at the start
of the semester, and may differ in wording and emphasis from those shown
here.