Research Methods in Psychology (205-0-20)
Instructors
Diana Carolina Perez Rivera
Ellyn Rachel Butler
Meeting Info
Locy Hall 109: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This course serves as an introduction to applying scientific methods to psychological questions and topics. Through readings, lectures, discussion, and hands-on experiment design and data collection, students will learn about the scientific approach to research design and about the analysis and interpretation of data. We will focus on how to formulate research questions and evaluate research claims in everyday life. Students will generate their own research projects while learning different aspects of experiment design, 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 research results in the style used by psychologists through presentations and research reports. 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. The class will include three papers, plus regular smaller assignments, and a final project.
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 and formulate sound hypotheses 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, group work, guest speakers, presentations, readings, research projects and writing assignments.
Evaluation Method
Three papers, including a full academic paper, research project, attendance, class participation, homework, presentations, quizzes, 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
Advanced Expression
Empirical and Deductive Reasoning Foundational Dis
Formal Studies Distro Area
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.