The assignment:

Project Proposal includes an introduction w/ literature review, hypotheses/predictions, the methods section for an experiment, and the references.

The paper must be typed (neatness, spelling, and grammar are important), must follow APA format, and must be brief and concise (at most 10-12 double-spaced pages, inclusive of header page and figures). Placement of headings, titles, paragraph indentations, content of sections, etc. must follow the pattern used in APA journals. The final authority on format is the APA Publication Manual (but most questions you may encounter can be answered by reference to several of the APA style web pages).

Papers will be evaluated by comparison to minimal assignment requirements.

EVALUATION CRITERIA (Each criteria is worth 20 points)

1. Relevant Introduction and Discussion (including References)
2. Adequate Method statement (e.g., for replication)
3. Appropriate Interpretation of assigned data analysis (especially description)
4. Moderate deviation from APA format
5. Readable use of the language (including grammar, spelling, paragraph structure, etc)

LETTER (NUMBER) GRADE

A (90-100)
B (80-89)
C (70-79)
D (60-96)
F (0-59)

Introduction: It is necessary that you do some library research to write the Introduction. Any secondary source like an introductory psychology text will provide a minimal background. You must also cite at least three primary sources (e.g., journal articles). The Psychological Abstracts are a good way to find recent primary sources. Be sure you state clear reasons for doing the experiment (i.e., hypothesis; see below) in your Introduction. Specifically, I want you to develop and provide background for the idea that inspired the experiment that the class designed (or research that is relevant to the experiment that we designed). Be sure that the references you cite fit with your hypotheses.

Methods: Your Method section is intended to communicate with people who know very little about what was done. Be certain, however, that you include enough information so the study could be replicated. Note also that you should use the second person, passive voice as well as past tense throughout your paper.

Discussion: In your Discussion section, discuss your predictions. What pattern of results do you expect and what would they mean.

Reference: Your References section must include at least the three primary references you have cited in the text of your paper and no references can be listed here which are not cited in your paper. Consult the APA Manual or published reports for examples how to report citations.

Purpose: This assignment introduces you to writing journal reports in psychology and is especially important for psychology majors who will be required to write reports in future courses (but it will also increase the ability of nonmajors to read research reports too).

The assignments:

Part 1 Project Proposal (20% of course grade): includes an introduction w/ literature review, hypotheses/predictions, the methods section for the experiment, and the references.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Introduction Problem of interest Link between problem and past research Summarize the past research Describe the basic purpose of the current experiment Describe hypotheses	__/25
Method Thoroughness of the description Participant description Design -IVs and DVs, operational definitions Materials - description of the stimuli Procedure - how the experiment was performed	__/25
Discussion What pattern of results do you expect? What are the implications of the results? Future directions	__/20
References Are all the appropriate references cited? Are all the references cited in the text? Are the citations in the appropriate APA format?	__/10
Writing Overall clarity Grammar & Spelling APA format	__/10 __/5 __/5

Return to Fall 2008 syllabus