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Research Methods in Psychology (205-0-21)

Instructors

Gregory Evan Miller
847/467-5755
Swift 104b

Meeting Info

Technological Institute MG51: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course will introduce students to methods used in psychological research. Through readings, lectures, discussion, and hands-on activities (specifically the handling of a statistics program used for data collection and analyses), students will earn about the scientific approach to research designs and about the analysis and interpretation of data. They will participate in novel research projects and will write a report on each in the style used by research psychologists. Primary goals are for students to learn (1) testing hypotheses, including data collection and statistical analyses, (2) writing effectively about research plans and findings, and (3) critically evaluating psychological research done by other people.

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.

Teaching Method

Lecture, class participation, demonstrations, discussion, group work, lab, research project, writing assignments

Evaluation Method

Class participation, final paper, papers, final project

Class Materials (Required)

Pelham, B. W. & Blanton, H. (2018). Conducting research in psychology: Measuring the weight of smoke, Fifth Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 978-1544333342.

Class Materials (Suggested)

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). ISBN: 978-1433832161

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description

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.