Course Syllabus
ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641
PSYC 385 Research Methods
Sponsoring Institution: Lewis-Clark State College
3 Credits
Instructor Information
Course Instructor: Teri Rust
- Email: rust@uidaho.edu
- Phone: 208.792.2276
- Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu on all communications.
I am a Professor of Psychology at Lewis-Clark State College. I received my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1991. My areas of emphasis included Statistics, Research, Cognition, and Motivation. In 2005, I also received a M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Idaho. I have taught research courses periodically. For over 15 years I have served on, or chaired, the Institutional Review Board at Lewis-Clark State College, reviewing hundreds of research projects.
You may contact me at rust@uidaho.edu or 208.792.2276.
Take care!
Dr. Teri Rust
Course Description
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the basics of research design. There will be an emphasis on quantitative research employing a variety of methods. The process will be examined from conceptualization, design, analysis, to generalization and the issues that arise at each step. There will be an emphasis on identifying and critiquing designs.
Develops students' ability to design an empirical study within the ethical constraints of human research and to understand the results of research in professional journals. Specific research designs covered include archival research, experimental designs, naturalistic observation, participant observation, quasi- experimental designs, single subject designs, and survey research. Integrates (1) analytical and evaluative thinking, (2) descriptive, explanatory, and critical writing, and (3) basic knowledge of the theory and application of qualitative and quantitative research design. Cross-listed with SS-385
Corequisite/Prerequisite: The equivalent of ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II or ENGL 109 College Writing and Research, and a total of 24 credit hours in the LC State General Education Core or instructor permission.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student:
- will demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal considerations in research;
- will be familiar with sources of reference materials (e.g., journals);
- will understand threats to internal and external validity and reliability;
- will distinguish between experimental and non-experimental research and the limitations of conclusions drawn from each;
- will recognize a variety of experimental and non-experimental research designs and know the advantages and disadvantages of each;
- will be able to identify and differentiate independent variables, dependent variables, and participant variables;
- will demonstrate an understanding of important statistical terms, methods, and values commonly used in research design and analysis;
- will be able to read and correctly analyze a variety of types of research.
Required Materials
Cozby, P. C., & Bates, S. C. (2018). Methods in Behavioral Research (13th edition). McGraw-Hill.
- Loose leaf: ISBN10: 1259898784 | ISBN13: 9781259898785
- Hardcopy: ISBN10: 1259676986 | ISBN13: 9781259676987
- Digital: ISBN10: 125989875X | ISBN13: 9781259898754 (WARNING! 6 month access!)
Course Rules and Requirements
12 graded assignments, 5 self-study assignments, 4 proctored exams
Students may submit 3 assignments per week; however, assignments and exams must be submitted consecutively, in the order outlined in the course. Students are advised to wait for grades and feedback on assignments before taking exams.
ALL assignments and exams must be submitted to receive a final grade for the course.
Lessons Overview
Each lesson includes lesson objectives, a reading assignment, key terms, a “lecture” to complement or clarify the text, which may be written information or videos. The lessons correspond to each chapter in the text. Some include recommended self-study, and some include an assignment.
There are 4 units in the course. Each unit has 3 assignments to be submitted for points, and self-test practice multiple-choice items for the unit. One assignment for each unit is a “frame game,” which is designed to help you see and learn the relationships among the concepts in the unit. In Unit 1 there will be a video explaining the assignment. There is only 1 “writing” assignment for the course.
Self-Study Assignments
- Some lessons contain self-study assignments in Canvas, and answers are provided.
Study Hints:
- Keep a copy of every assignment submitted.
- Complete all reading assignments.
- Set a schedule allowing for course completion two weeks before your personal deadline.
- An instructor may take up to two weeks to grade.
- Web pages and URL links in the World Wide Web are continuously changing. Contact your instructor if you find a broken Web page or URL.
Exams
Exams will be a combination of multiple-choice, short answer (similar to the worksheets completed in the different units), and perhaps matching.
Practice Exams
- Each unit has self-study practice multiple-choice questions. Answers are provided in Canvas. The final course grade is issued after all assignments and exams have been graded.
Proctor Selection/Scheduling Exams
- All exams require a proctor.
- To submit your Proctor Information Form online, visit the ISI website and select Forms, Proctor Information Form. Submit this form at least two weeks before your first exam. Refer to Exam Proctors on the ISI website for information on acceptable and unacceptable proctors.
Grade Information
The course grade will be based upon the following considerations:
- The total weight of all exams exceeds the weight of all assignments combined. You must AVERAGE at least 70% on the assignments and at least 70% on the exams in order to pass with a C-.
- High scores in one area cannot compensate for less than 70% performance in the other.
- Each assignment will be weighted in the final grade so that they each equal 3.5 percent of the final grade.
- Please pay attention to this fact when looking at the point values for each assignment.
- Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism, are considered a very serious transgression and may result in a grade of F for the course.
| Assignments | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | ||
| Ethics Module | 21 | 3.5 |
| Experiment v. Non | 22 | 3.5 |
| Frame Game 1 | 34 | 3.5 |
| Unit 2 | ||
| Questionnaire | 30 | 3.5 |
| Confound Assign. | 30 | 3.5 |
| Frame Game 2 | 58 | 3.5 |
| Unit 3 | ||
| Factorial Design ID | 28 | 3.5 |
| Interp. Factorial | 44 | 3.5 |
| Frame Game 3 | 51 | 3.5 |
| Unit 4 | ||
| Assign. Ch. 12-13 | 9 | 3.5 |
| Research Critique | 45 | 3.5 |
| Frame Game 4 | 30 | 3.5 |
| Total | 42% |
| Exams | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 75 | 14.5 |
| Unit 2 | 75 | 14.5 |
| Unit 3 | 75 | 14.5 |
| Unit 4 | 75 | 14.5 |
| Total | 300 | 58% |
Course Policies
Refer to the ISI website's Current Students page for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services.