Research Methods in Psychology (205-0-23)
Instructors
Karen Rose Konkoly
Gayathri Subramanian
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-410: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
This course serves as an introduction to applying scientific methods to psychological questions and topics. We will focus on how to formulate research questions and evaluate research claims in everyday life. We'll cover different aspects of designing experiments, including how to select participants, choose independent and dependent variables, control for confounding variables, and consider ethical and equitable research practices. This course will also help students learn to communicate scientific ideas through presentations and research papers. By learning to conduct a research project from start to finish, students will learn to think holistically about research to become better scientists or consumers of science.
Registration Requirements
Students must have taken PSYCH 201 or an approved substitute before enrolling in PSYCH 205. Students with AP credit for STAT 202 or AP credit for STAT 210 need to contact psych-advising@u.northwestern.edu about permission to enroll, because CAESAR does not automatically accept that as the prerequisite.
Please see the department website for more information.
Learning Objectives
- Develop your ability to pose informed research questions in psychology. Practice designing experiments to test those questions, carrying out those experiments, analyzing the data, and reporting your results
- Learn how to locate relevant research articles and credible sources of information
- Critically evaluate research methods and conclusions that you come across in both academic and everyday life.
- Develop skills to present your ideas and findings in a clear and concise manner.
Teaching Method
2 80-minute classes each week. A combination of lectures, class participation, demonstrations, discussions, films/videos, group work, guest speakers, presentations, readings, research projects and writing assignments.
Evaluation Method
Final exam (20% of grade), attendance, class participation, group projects, group work, homework, final paper, mid-term paper, peer assessment, presentations, quizzes, research project, and writing assignments.
Class Materials (Required)
Gorvine, B., Rosengren, K., Stein, L., & Biolsi, K. (2018). Research methods: From theory to practice. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-020182-1.
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description
SDG Innovation & Infrastructure
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: REQ: To register, students must have completed PSYCH 201 with a C- or higher, STAT 202 with a B or higher, Stat 210 with a B or higher, or have AP credit (score of 5) for STAT 202.