Required (1) (2) McBride, D. (2013). The Process of Research in Psychology, 4th Edition, Sage Publishing (required) McBride, D.M. & Cutting, J. C. (2013). Lab Manual for Psychological Research, 4th Ed, Sage. (required) Optional Sternberg, R. J. (2003). The Psychologist's Companion: A guide to scientific writing for students and researchers. Cambridge Univeristy Press. (recommended) American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6thEdition.).Washington, DC: Author. (recommended). Note: There will also be assigned readings from articles that will be accessible through the Milner library web page. More information will be given about these articles in class.

Catalog Copy. Philosophy of science and inquiry with emphasis on experimental methodology and some application of principles through laboratory experimentation and demonstration.

Prerequisites.

Course Description & Objective.

This course is designed to introduce students to philosophy of science and inquiry with an emphasis on experimental methodology. This will be accomplished by combining traditional lectures with application of principles through laboratory experimentation and demonstration. The main course objectives include:
• Learning to review the primary literature (improving library research skills, increase familiarity with scientific writing and reading scientific journals)
  
• Getting a research idea (specification of a testable research idea, develop hypotheses on several topics in psychology)
  
• Development and execution of a research plan (choosing the appropriate research method to test specific hypotheses, ethical guidelines, how to collect data)
  
• Basic analysis of research results.
  
• Presentation of the results (including both a verbal and written presentation).
  

  Department objectives

Roughly we will cover the "nuts and bolts" of putting together and completing a research project in psychology. To this end we will cover all fourteen chapters of the textbook. Classes will consist of both lectures and discussions and/or exercises related to the assigned readings. So it is critical that students read the assigned chapters prior to class. Homework and/or on-line quizzes will be assigned to facilitate learning and in-class discussions.

Course Requirements.

Each student will be evaluated based on several exercises, exams, and the planning, execution, and presentation of a research project. The grading is broken down below.
• Exams (35%) - There will be three exams. Each is cumulative. The first two exams are each worth 10%, the final exam will be worth 15%.

• Online quizzes (10%)  - 10 quizzes corresponding roughly to 1 per chapter.
• Homework exercises (10%)
  • CITI ethics training (2% )
  • 2 Journal article summaries (4% each) *there is an experiment participation alternative assignment

• Lab Assignments (30%)
  • Lab exercises and participation (15%)
  • Lab Group research project (15%)
  
  
• Class Experiment project (15%)
  • APA style first draft (5%) - includes literature review, the design of the experiment(s) hypotheses/predictions, and the references.
    
  • Final APA style manuscript(10%) - A complete write-up of the class research project using APA format.

  Extra-credit policy

Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed by contacting the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access by email at EqualOpportunity@IllinoisState.edu, by calling (309) 438-3383, or by mailing to the office at Illinois State University, Campus Box 1280, Normal, IL 61790.