PSY 211 Research Methodology for Behavioral Sciences

Section 041A Thursday 7:30 – 10:20 pm

NVCC, Alexandria Campus, Autumn 2007

Instructor: Dr. Raymond Brogan 

Email address: RBROGAN@nvcc.edu (This is the best way to contact me.)

Phone: 703-845-6242

Office location AA252 (Humanities and Social Science Division)

Website: http://www.psychmet.com

Office hours:     6:30 to 7:00 pm Thursday

Text: Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology (7^th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072986220

Nothing is due for class on November 29th.  You will receive the guidelines for your "Discussion Paper" (aka Section Three). Section Three will be due December 6th.

Article for first assignment summary and evaluation:

Course Description and Objectives:

The course catalog description of PSY 211: “Introduces the principles and processes of various research procedures for applying the scientific method to understanding behavior. Includes preparation for conducting, understanding, and interpreting laboratory and field studies; documenting principles through research; and applying critical assessment to generic research.” We will study the research methods listed below. You will also develop skills in reading about research findings, thinking critically, presenting ideas orally, and writing reports in APA style.

Course format:

            The course will be a combination of lecture and student activities. We will engage in class discussions and do small group activities. As a class, we will design and conduct one research study. You are expected to take notes on the lectures and additional exercises. 

Email:

            You are required to have an email account. You must use your VCCS email account for confidential information, such as grades, but you can use any email account for general questions or comments. Using email is the best way to contact your professor. Your emails should always include your name, class, and section.

Grading:

            Your grade will be based on 2 papers, a report with 3 graded sections, 2 quizzes, mid-term exam, a final exam and class attendance. Your final grade will be based on a percentage of the total points: 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D, and below 60% = F.

Papers:

            You will write two papers, each of which will be a critique (summary and evaluation) of a research article. These summaries will be written in APA style. 

Research report:

            Each student will write an individual report for the research study we do as a class. The report is based on group data, but each student will write separate reports. The reports will be written in APA style. Students will write the reports in sections before combining the sections into the final report. The grading will be: Section 1 (introduction and hypothesis), 10%; Section 2 (methods and results), 10%; Final report (compilation, discussion, & references), 10%.

Tests:

            You will have three in-class tests (two quizzes and one midterm). They will cover material from the reading and class notes. The questions will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer. Quizzes consist of 25 questions; midterm consists of 50 questions. Each test counts as 10% of your final class grade. No make-up tests will be given. You must attend class on test days to take the tests.

Final exam:

            You will have a cumulative final exam on December 18^th at 7:30 PM. The exam will cover material from all of the assigned reading and the class notes. The questions will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer. The final exam accounts for 10% of your course grade. The final exam is required and no make-up exams will be given.

Student success:

            Your success in this class depends on your own behavior. Psychology is a reading-intensive discipline. This class in particular is time consuming, with reading, collecting data, and writing reports.  You should expect to spend at least 8-12 hours per week outside of class reading, reviewing notes, working on assignments, studying, etc. It is your responsibility to keep up with readings, assignments, test dates, etc. The best way to do this is to attend class and check the web site.

Writing help:

For free, personalized, half-hour conferences on writing assignments (usually papers), call or go to the Writing Assistance Center in 340 Bisdorf. 703/845-6054.

Attendance:

You are expected to attend class and roll will be taken. We will spend class time preparing our research study and reports. I will not spend a lot of time repeating material from your book. We will discuss material in class that is not in the text. You will be responsible for class and text material. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the class notes from a classmate. Students are allowed one unexcused absence.  If there is a verified emergency and you contact the professor immediately, allowances for make-up work will be made for two more absences.  However, people who miss two or more classes risk being withdrawn from class even without warning. If you have four absences, you will be automatically dropped.  Class starts promptly on time. Being late two times equals being absent once.

Besides the obvious benefits of attending class regularly, attendance will count for 10 percent of your grade.

Participation:

            I encourage all students to participate. There will be many opportunities to voice your opinions and questions. I will often break the class into small groups so that people have a greater chance to participate. Your participation will increase the amount of material that you learn and in my experience, people who participate more tend to do better on tests and assignments.  

Electronic devices:

            When you enter our classroom, please turn off all electronic devices such as cell phones and beepers. If you have an urgent situation that requires you to be on-call, please sit beside the door so that you can leave as soon as your device rings.

Academic dishonesty:

            Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Cheating includes dishonesty of any kind on tests or assignments. Also, making up data rather than doing the work of actually collecting it is also dishonest. Plagiarism includes the failure to give credit to another’s work. Giving and taking unauthorized help on tests or assignments are both considered cheating. NVCC and I regard these as serious offenses. The minimum sanction for such behavior is an F on the assignment; the maximum sanction is dismissal from college. You may read the full policy on academic dishonesty in the Student Handbook.

Learning environment:

            In psychology classes, we discuss topics that people may be sensitive about. It is important that we all treat one another with respect. We will refrain from making negative comments about people or their opinions.

Security and safety:

            NVCC has adopted new security procedures. We will go over the procedures on the first day of class. In the event of any alarm or evacuation, you must listen to your professor’s instructions. Stay together as a class so that your professor can provide notice of any missing students to officials. If you have a disability or physical challenge, please notify the professor so that we can create an evacuation plan.

Special needs and accommodations:

            Please address with the professor any special problems or needs at the beginning of the semester. If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you should provide a disability data sheet, which can be obtained from the counselor for special needs (703-845-6208).

Weather related or other closings:

            If classes are cancelled due to weather or other situations, we will stick with the schedule below. You will be responsible for reading the material for that day. If we miss a test or assignment due date, it will be on the next class meeting instead.

Tentative schedule of readings. This schedule is subject to change and I will notify you of any changes in advance. Read the material before class so that you can participate in discussions.

October 29^th: Last day to withdraw without grade penalty.