Research Methods in Psychology (205-0-20)
Instructors
David H Uttal
Meeting Info
Elder Hall 030 Seminar Room: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
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 learn 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.
Evaluation Method
Evaluation is based on completion of 3 APA style research reports, along with two essay exams and several short papers
Class Materials (Required)
Textbook: The course will use a free, open source Research Methods Textbook: Research Methods in Psychology, 4th American Edition by Cutter at al. (2019). This book is available as a free Ebook at this web site: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/75. You will want to use some sort of eBook reader, such as Amazon Kindle (available as a free app for Mac, Windows, Android, and IPad/IPhone), to help in formatting the book and reading it on your computer or tablet. Note, hard (printed) copies of the book ARE available from Amazon, but they do cost money and are not required. We will also supplement this textbook with additional, free, online articles that will be available through Canvas.
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Empirical and Deductive Reasoning Foundational Dis
Formal Studies Distro Area
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.