PSY 4501

Description

Introduction to research methods in psychology. The primary emphasis is on behavioral research, but the approach can be applied in other fields as the broad basis of scientific thinking.

Objectives

1. Discuss the scientific method and its components.
2. Differentiate between descriptive and experimental research methods and their components.
3. Identify and evaluate the ethical principles governing research in psychology, including the role of the IRB, use of informed consent, debriefing, and the use of passive and active deception in research.
4. Identify the main characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
5. Compare and contrast types of research including naturalistic observation, types of observation in the laboratory, experimental approaches, and use of surveys. This may include analysis of the strengths and limitations of each of these types of research.
6. Differentiate between types of assessment measures including self-report, standardized, open-ended, fixed-choice, and personality tests.
7. Discuss the different types of validity and reliability in research.
8. Define and differentiate between various types of research designs including randomized and non-randomized experiments, within subject, factorial, and between subject designs, time series design, interrupted time series design, single case experimental research design, longitudinal research, and cross-sectional research.
9. Analyze types of samples and sampling, conditions that pose threats to internal validity, and the third variable issues in research.
10. Understand and apply statistical concepts and interpretation of data related to research including margin of error, error of estimate, interval estimates, use of graphs and tables to display frequencies, measures of central tendency, confidence interval, normal distribution, correlations, scatter plot, confidence interval, null hypothesis testing, Type I and Type II errors, one-tailed and two-tailed p values, effect size, and statistical power.

PreRequisites

PSY 1010: General Psychology or equivalent

Textbook(s)

* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the CSU Bookstore at bookstore@columbiasouthern.edu