PSYCHOLOGY 211 - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Dr. Rosalyn M. King
DETAILED TOPICAL OVERVIEW AND WORKING SYLLABUS
CLASS 1: INTRODUCTIONS
Topics:
Organization of Course
Review of Course Syllabus
What is Research?
Why Do Research?
Role and Importance of Research
Purpose of Research
Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Review abstract of Thomas Kuhn (1970). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (University of
Chicago Press). Discuss the following:
a. Kuhn argued that science is not the neat, orderly process that outside observers perceive it to be.
Why not?
b. What is a “scientific revolution”? How does it differ from “normal science”?
c. Why do researchers need to replicate the results of their studies?
2. Review Chapter 1 in your main text, “What is Research?
a. Read and discuss what research is .
b. Define the research cycle?.
Assignments: Research Idea Notebook
Begin the Research Idea Notebook.
This exercise helps you to develop the habit of looking for research possibilities. Begin to put your ideas for research and your research questions in a small notebook or notepad. Keep it with you all the time, including by your bed table at night while you sleep. Jot down every idea that you get. This will be helpful when you meet to brainstorm about research possibilities. You will share these ideas in class. Further, after your individual or team project is underway, the notebooks can be used as a repository for planning details, taking notes, drafting schedules, etc. for the project. Your instructor may want to review your notebook from time to time. Delimit topics to 5 possibilities.
Find a Research Study and Evaluate its Quality.
Identify a research study from a scholarly journal or book. Use the checklist in Chapter 1 of your main textbook . Answer the questions. Share with the class in discussion.
CLASS 2: TOOLS AND PROCESSES OF RESEARCH - Chapter 2
Topics:
Habits of Mind of Research Psychologists
The Library as a Tool
The Internet as a Tool
Measurement as a Tool
Statistics as a Tool
Analysis as a Tool
Communication as a Tool
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Review the guidelines on writing to communicate in your main text.
Summarize and discuss the important points.
Assignment: Exciting Scholarly Writing
1. Find examples of exciting writing. Reflect on authors whose writing really excited you.
Bring in examples. This could be a paragraph or two that you believe is clear and well-written.
You will read these aloud to the class. The class should listen intently and then describe what
they hear (see the discussion on “sayback” in your text). You will begin to get a sense of how
others hear or interpret the writings you have selected.
CLASS 3: GENERATING RESEARCH TOPICS AND QUESTIONS AND DEFINING THE RESEARCH PROJECT - Chapter 3
Topics:
Report on research ideas and brainstorming for possible research topics
Class reactions to ideas of others
Critical thinking and reflection about possible topics
Final selection of topic
Stating the research problem/questions
Defining independent and dependent variables
Developing Hypothesis Statements
Share examples of exciting writing. (See previous class assignment).
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Determine whether you will work independently or with team. Designate Research Team.
2. Brainstorm to generate project ideas with peers using research ideas notebook.
3. Share ideas with class for class critique and reactions.
4. Narrow your research idea to 1-2 topics.
5. Review guidelines on stating the research problem/questions, main text). Complete checklist on
“Evaluating the Research Problem”. Share your preliminary problem/question with the class.
6. See guidelines and checklist on “Evaluating Your Proposed Research”.
Answer questions and share with class.
7. Reevaluate your research problem by using the guidelines in the chapter.
8. Define what an independent and dependent variable is. In the following examples,
identify the independent and dependent variable(s).
a) Two groups of children were given different types of physical fitness programs to see if the programs
had an effect on their strength.
b) A group of 100 heavy smokers was divided into 5 groups, and each group participated in a different smoking
cessation program. After 6 months of program participation, the number of cigarettes each participant smoked
each day was ounted.
c) A university professor was interested in determining the best way to teach introductory psychology and ensure that
his students would learn the material.
9. Distinguish between the research hypothesis and the null hypothesis? Why is the null hypothesis
always statement of equality? Why can the research hypothesis take on many different forms.
10. Write the null and research hypotheses for the following paragraph:
A group of middle-aged men was asked to complete a questionnaire on their attitudes toward work and family. Each of these men are married and have at least two children. Another group of men who have no children also completed the same survey.
Assignments: Developing Hypothesis Statements and Literature Reviews
1. Read & review the supplemental reader on “Writing Literature Reviews” by Jose L. Galvan. Complete exercises at the end of the chapter. Select one sample literature review in the appendix and make a critique for discussion in class. (Note: Instructor may assign specific chapters to several students.)
2. Read Chapters 1-4 in supplemental text: Writing Empirical Research Reports. Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Chapter 1: Writing Simple Research Hypotheses
Chapter 2: A Closer Look at Hypotheses
Chapter 3: Writing Research Purposes, Objectives, & Questions
Chapter 4: Writing Titles
CLASS 4: SEARCHING AND READING THE RELATED LITERATURE - Chapter 4
Role of the Literature Review
The Periodical Literature
General, Primary & Secondary Sources
Searching the Literature: Manually & Online
Using Abstracts
Developing Critical Reading Skills
Reviewing the Literature
Evaluating Research Articles or Book Chapters
Criteria for Judging a Research Study
The Importance of Using and Selecting Sources Effectively
Avoiding Plagiarism
Using Note Cards/Taking Notes
Writing the Literature Review
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Why are journals so important to research and the field of psychology?
2. Distinguish between primary and secondary sources. Cite examples.
3. What is a literature chain? Why is it helpful to researchers?
4. Name four characteristics of good references in psychology.
5. How can being organized enhance the search and use of the psychological literature?
Name several ways researchers can become more organized?
6. In your own words, define plagiarism Distinguish between two types of plagiarism -
accidental(unintentional) and intentional. Is one type worse than the other? Why or why not?
7. What does a research article look like? What are its components?
8. What are the criteria for judging a research study?
9. Read & Review Chapter 5 on writing introductions and literature reviews in you supplemental reader,
Writing Empirical Research Reports. (P.41). Complete Part A of the exercise at the end of the chapter.
Discuss your answers.
10. Read & review the supplemental reader on “Writing Literature Reviews” by Jose L. Galvan.
Complete exercises at the end of the chapter. Select one sample literature review in the appendix
and make a critique for discussion in class. (Note: Instructor may assign specific chapters to
several students.)
Assignment: Basics of APA Style and Publication Manual
1. Read and Review the APA Publication Manual. Go online to APA and review style updates.
[Introduction, Research Topics, Questions, & Hypothesis Statement Due]
CLASS 5: SEARCHING AND READING THE RELATED LITERATURE (continued);
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE APA FORMAT
The Role of Effective Communication (Issues)
Using the APA Format in Writing
Headings and Subheadings
Style Errors
Developing Outlines
Writing Abstracts
Drafting & Revisions
Receiving Feedback
Examples of Good Writing
Activity: Group Discussion
1. You will be engaged in a variety of activities using the APA format.
Assignment: Develop Key Words for Data Searches
1. Develop Key Words for your research topic to prepare for online data searches in the library next class
2. Identify other data sources in preparation. Begin to develop literature chain as you do your library searches.
3. Use this library time wisely, so you can be prepared to move forward with developing your outline for your literature review and begin writing.
[Research Topics, Questions, & Hypothesis Statement Due]
CLASS 6: USING THE LIBRARY FOR RESEARCH-LIBRARY VISIT
Library Orientation:
-Use Computerized Search Bank. Keep search record printouts.
-Identify the online data bases you can use for research.
-Search the Internet (Print at least 2 pages). Find 5 references on any of the topics you are interested in.
-Cite shortcomings. Identify available Internet references, journals on line.
-Conduct physical search of psychological & related journals housed in the library.
Locate journals which are: 1) useful, 2) too technical, 3) for specialized audiences.
Look for other factors such as the type of editorial board, table of contents,
contributors’ guidelines
Find the Psychological Abstracts and Index - What are they designed to do for you?
Begin to identify pertinent articles for your research.
Develop list of references for your research topic.
Assignment: A Review of Ethics & Writing Mechanics
1. Read Section of Chapter 5 on Ethical Principles and answer discussion questions below for next class. See also the web course online links on ethical principles. Go to Psy 211 “Related Learning Links.”
2. Read & Review Supplemental Reader: “Writing Empirical Research Reports”- Chapters 6, 7, & 8. Writing Definitions; Writing Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations; and, Writing Method Sections. Complete exercises at the end of each chapter. Be prepared for class discussion.
[Outlines Due for Literature Review]
CLASS 7: PLANNING THE RESEARCH PROJECT AND RESEARCH ETHICS -Chapter 5
Topics:
Overview of Ethical Standards in Psychology
Controversial Research in Psychology that Challenges Ethics
Institutional Review Boards.
Writing an informed consent form.
Video Clips
Developing methodological approach
Determining instrumentation
Deciding on use of qualitative vs. quantitative methodology
Determining method of data collection
Judging the feasibility of the research project.
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Case Scenarios: Serving on an Institutional Review Board.
2. Generate a list of topics that are ethically sensitive
3. What are the most important points in the APA Ethical Guidelines?
4. What ethics will you need to consider in conducting your own research?
5. Develop draft of your informed consent form.
6. Review guidelines for deciding whether to use qualitative or quantitative methods (p.105).
Determine which you will use.
7. Evaluate your plans and determine whether your research project is realistic and practical,
using the guidelines and checklist on page 107.
Assignment: Develop First Draft of Research Design
1. Write a first draft of your research design. Consult the guidelines in your chapter.
[Outlines Due for Literature Review]
CLASS 8: DEVELOPING THE RESEARCH DESIGN - Chapter 6
Topics:
Characteristics and Components of a Research Design
Organization
Weaknesses in Research Designs & Proposals
Putting Your Design Together
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Present your first draft of the research design. Get feedback from classmates and instructor.
2. Review the checklist for strengthening your design in your chapter.
Share draft design with classmates. Revise design, based on input and checklist.
3. Review and critique research proposal in your chapter.
[Literature Review Due]
CLASS 9: NON EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH - QUALITATIVE & HISTORICAL RESEARCH METHODS (Applied and Field Research Approaches) - Chapter 7 & 8
Topics:
Case Studies
Observation (Naturalistic & Participant)
Ethnography
Archival Research
Interviewing
Phenomenological Study
Grounded Theory Study
Content Analysis
Organizing & Analyzing Data
Historical Research & Psychohistory
Activity: Group Work - Research Teams
1. Read and evaluate one of the qualitative research cases to be distributed by your instructor.
2. Brainstorm and develop a historical study topic. What would be involved in carrying out the study?
Discussion Questions:
1. Are field and applied research the same thing? Why or why not? How do they differ from basic
research?
2. What is naturalistic observation? How is it similar to but different from participant observation?
3. You are a museum curator, what sorts of unobtrusive measures can help you determine what the
public thinks of your exhibits?
4. What is ethnography? How can it be used to explore psychological issues?
5. Why can a given research method employed by a researcher affect the results he or she obtains?
Does the method one chooses also affect interpretations of the data?
6. How are interviews conducted and what are some of the guidelines for developing good interview
schedules?
7. How might you evaluate the worth of a qualitative research study?
Assignment: Field Research
Visit a shopping mall, museum, library, dormitory, cafeteria, hospital, beach, or some other place where people frequent. Spend at least one hour. Develop several research questions based on your observations in that setting. What specific topics and research questions are good possibilities for study? How might you approach each topic or question methodologically? Identify who will be observed and what sort of behavior or behaviors will be examined.. How will the behavior(s) be coded? What sorts of interpretations can be offered? Be certain to discuss the strengths and limits of naturalistic observation.
[Literature Review Due]
CLASS 10: DESCRIPTIVE/QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH - Chapter 9
Topics:
Observation Studies
Correlational Research
Developmental Designs
Survey Research: Developing Good Survey Questions
Field Testing Questions
Sampling
Using Checklists and Rating Scales
Activity: Group Discussion
1. Develop a short survey on a current campus or community issue or controversy. Use guidelines in
Chapter 9 on constructing and administering a questionnaire (pl90). Write open-and closed-ended
questions. Do this for about 20 minutes. Share your items with the class. Based on feedback from
class members and the instructor, revise your questions. After questions are finalized, decide on
what demographic data should be included.
2. Name several characteristics of good surveys.
3. Discuss some of the sampling issues and biases that confront researchers in field settings.
4. Review section on sampling. Complete checklist on “Analyzing a Population.”
[Research Design Plan Due]
CLASS 11: EXPERIMENTAL & EX POST FACTO RESEARCH DESIGNS - Chapter 10
Topics:
History of Experimentation
Problem Identification and Hypotheses Formation
Variables Used in Experimentation: Independent and Dependent Variables
Assigning Subjects & Control Groups & Sampling
Models of Experimental &Ex-Post Facto Designs
Activities: Group Discussion
1. Present to class your findings from examination of articles/studies using experimental designs.
2. Answer questions below.
Assignment: Exploring Experimental Psychology Journals
1. Scan the most recent issues of a psychological journal. Review one current issue of a journal
and answer the following questions:
-What type of design was used to address what sort of research question?
-Does the design use vary by subfield of psychology ? For example, do cognitive or
developmental psychologists rely on within-subjects designs with greater frequency than
social or personality researchers? Why? Present findings to class.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is a balance between external validity and internal validity necessary for acceptable research?
2. A group of children with emotional disorders is placed in a special program to improve the quality of
their social interactions based on their extreme test scores. At the end of the program, the average
increase in the quality of their interactions is 57%. What threat to internal validity negates the value
of this finding, and what can you do to remedy the situation?
3. List the steps you would go through to ensure that two groups participating in a study of attitude
toward divorce are equally matched.
4. What are the ethical considerations for assigning first graders to different experimental learning groups? Does it affect your ethical concerns if the assignment is random?
5. What are some examples of pre-experimental research you see in the real world?
6. What are some benefits of using pretests?
7. What are the threats to external validity? How could each threat affect you as a researcher?
Come up with a research example for each threat to external validity. What are some methods
to increase external validity?
CLASS 12: DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS
USING STATISTICS- Chapter - 11
Defining Populations & Samples
Methods of Measuring Behavior: Tests & Questionnaires
Measurement, Reliability & Validity
Getting Ready for Data Collection
-Develop Data Collection Plan
-Constructing Data Collection Instruments and Forms
-10 Steps in Data Collection
Developing a Data Analysis Plan
Understanding Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
-Scales of Measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)
-Measures of Central Tendency
-Variability
-Statistical Significance
-Parametric & Non parametric Tests
Some Common Statistical Tests
-Chi Square
-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
-T-Test
-Pearson Product Moment
Correlation
Ways to describe & present statistical & other data
Use of statistical software to analyze data
Activity: Research Teams
1. Develop a Data Collection and Analysis plan.
2. Present overview to class.
Assignment: Good vs. Bad Examples of Data Presentation
1. Go to the library, search psychological journals for good and not so good examples
of data presentation. Bring to class for presentation and discussion.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why should statistical analysis be viewed as a tool for researchers?
2. Why should researchers plan their data analyses in advance of data collection?
3. What is an analysis plan? Why is it an important research tool?
4. How does the statistical technique called “meta-analysis” help clarify research results?
[Research Design Plan Due]
CLASS 13 & 14: INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM WORK (IN CLASS OR LIBRARY)
This is an opportunity for individuals or teams to meet to develop and carry out research.
It is encouraged that all class members continue to meet during the designated class period.
You may use the classroom or the library.
CLASS 15: RESEARCH PRESENTATION - Chapter 12
Key elements of good presentation (written & oral)
Role of Audience
Organizing Student Research Symposium
Publishing and Presenting at Conferences
Discussion Questions:
1. Why should researchers share their research results through presentations or publications?
2. Describe 8 rules of thumb used by seasoned speakers. Explain how these techniques
could improve a psychologist’s presentation.
3. What is a journal’s statement of purpose? How does it differ from a journal’s submission
guidelines? Why should researchers read and follow these two editorial guides before
submitting a manuscript to a journal?
4. Why is presentation of research a creative process? Why does a researcher’s opinion
about a topic or results change across time? Why is psychological knowledge not static?
5. List the 5 questions Sternberg (1997) believes that students should ask themselves as
they evaluate research questions.
[Final Research Paper Due]
CLASS 16: RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
You are required to formally present your research and findings to your peers and to a group of professionals. This is a very formal process and you should behave as if you were presenting your findings to a regional or national conference. You are also encouraged to produce your final research for formal submission to a psychological journal for publication.
Teams are encouraged to develop presentation materials using computer software, such as Power Point, Harvard Graphics and other presentation packages. The use of slides and the overhead projector also is encouraged and will improve your grade.
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