Psychology 2820E 001
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
LONDON CANADA
Department of Psychology
2021
Psychology 2820E Section 001
Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Psychology
Summer Evening (May 3 – July 23, 2021)
- CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the design, conduct, and statistical analyses of psychological research. The intent is to provide students with knowledge of how to implement and evaluate research in both laboratory and applied settings. Design and statistical analysis will be taught in the context of specific studies and data sets from correlational, experimental, quasi-experimental and qualitative research. Written research projects will be required.
Antirequisite(s): Biology 2244A/B, Economics 2122A/B, Economics 2222A/B, Geography 2210A/B, Health Sciences 3801A/B, MOS 2242A/B, Psychology 2800E, Psychology 2810, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2850A/B, Psychology 2851A/B, Psychology 2855F/G, Psychology 2856F/G, Social Work 2207A/B, Sociology 2205A/B, Statistical Sciences 2035, Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2143A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2858A/B.
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. If you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
Prerequisite(s): One full course in mathematics plus a mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level. To fulfill the mathematics requirement, you must complete a full course equivalent by taking 1.0 courses from among the following courses: Applied Mathematics 1201A/B, Applied Mathematics 1413, Mathematics 0110A/B, Mathematics 1120A/B, Mathematics 1225A/B, Mathematics 1228A/B, Mathematics 1229A/B, Mathematics 1600A/B, Calculus 1000A/B, Calculus 1301A/B, Calculus 1500A/B, Calculus 1501A/B,Statistical Sciences 1024A/B. If Mathematics 0110A/B is selected, then either Statistical Sciences 1024A/B or Mathematics 1228A/Bmust be taken. The combination of Mathematics 1228A/B and Statistical Sciences 1024A/B is strongly recommended.
2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory/tutorial hours; Course Weight: 1.0
Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Krista Macpherson, Phd
Office Hours: By Appointment via Zoom
Email: kmacphe6@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Classes: Tuesdays and Thursday, 6:00pm-9:00pm
This course is ONLINE and SYNCHRONOUS Lectures and Labs held online via Zoom
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness @Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Text (required): Revel for Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods -- 7th ed. Author: Mark R. Leary REVEL Access ISBN: 9780134416939
About REVEL:
-REVEL is a fully digital textbook that has interactive figures and built-in quizzes, so the most current edition of the textbook will be required.
-The concept of REVEL is “learn some, do some” (read a little, check your understanding)
-REVEL has a mobile app; Alerts (i.e., reminders) can be found under the Settings -REVEL has an audiobook feature that can read you the textbook on all devices
-REVEL Registration Instructions (student invite link) will be posted to OWL and emailed
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, we will discuss several of the methods used to conduct research in psychology and how to analyze and report data. We will discuss the generation of research ideas, ethical aspects of research, the philosophy of science, experimental design, issues of validity and reliability, and how to form the sample to be used in the research. Additionally, we will examine multiple common analytic procedures for testing hypotheses within each design. These procedures will be taught with the aid of specific examples using real data in class. You will gain first-hand experience in the steps involved in designing and conducting a research project and in writing a journal style paper.
4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth of knowledge Access, interpret, and critically evaluate appropriate research in psychology
|
Lectures Lab exercises |
Tests/Quizzes |
|
Knowledge of Methodologies. Evaluate the appropriateness of different methodological approaches to address a specific psychological question |
Lectures Lab exercises |
Tests/Quizzes |
|
Application of Knowledge. Formulate a research hypothesis to address a psychological question and design a research project to test that hypothesis
|
Research Project |
Final Paper |
|
Communication Skills. Apply ethical standards to the practice of their own Research. |
Research Project |
Final Paper |
|
Awareness of Limits of Knowledge. Use evidence to support claims |
Research Project |
Final Paper |
|
Autonomy and Professional Capacity. Communicate in writing accurately, clearly and logically, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology |
Research Project |
Final Paper |
5.0 EVALUATION
Lab/Written components:
Weekly Quiz—Best 10 of 12 (20%)-as noted in the lecture schedule
Research Paper (30%)-Due July 22nd
Lecture components:
Midterm Exam (25%)-In class on June 17th
Final Exam (25%)-Scheduled during the final exam period (July 26/27th)
Quizzes will be conducted on a weekly basis (unless otherwise noted) via REVEL. Quizzes will be done in class, at the end of the lab session. Each quiz is worth 2% of the final Quiz mark, and the best 10 of 12 quiz scores will be used. There is a strict policy that NO MAKEUPS will be permitted for missed quizzes.
The midterm will take place during class hours, and the final exam will take place during the final exam period. Exams will not be proctored. If an exam is missed, students must go through the appropriate procedures for accommodation (see section 9.0), and a makeup exam will be scheduled.
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations, you must pass the essay component to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines, which are as follows (see: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf)
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
Grades will not be rounded up.
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
Midterm Exam: Thursday June 17th (in class)
Final Exam: As scheduled by Registrar
Final Paper: Due July 22nd at 11:59 pm, submitted to OWL (Turnitin will be used)
Weekly Quizzes: Every Thursday at the end of lab, unless otherwise noted.
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
|
Week: |
Dates: |
Lecture Readings |
Lab Assignment |
|
1 Introduction; Behavioural Variability |
May 4th May 6th |
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 |
Chapter 1 Quiz Chapter 2 Quiz |
|
2 Ethics, Scientific Writing; Measurement |
May 11th May 13th |
Chapter 15/16 Chapter 3 |
Chapter 15/16 Quiz Chapter 3 Quiz |
|
3 Approaches to measurement |
May 18th May 20th |
Chapter 4 Chapter 5 |
Chapter 4 Quiz |
|
4 Selecting Participants |
May 25th May 27th |
Chapter 5 Chapter 6 |
Chapter 5 Quiz |
|
5 Descriptive Research |
June 1st June 3rd |
Chapter 6 Chapter 7 |
Chapter 6 Quiz |
|
6 Correlation |
June 8th June 10th |
Chapter 7 Chapter 8 |
Chapter 7 Quiz |
|
7 Advanced Correlation approaches |
June 15th June 17th |
Chapter 8 Midterm |
Chapter 8 Quiz |
|
8 Design Issues |
June 22nd June 24th |
Chapter 9 Chapter 9 |
Chapter 9 Quiz |
|
9 Experimental Design |
June 29th July 1st (no class) |
Chapter 10 |
|
|
10 Analyzing stat |
July 6th July 8th |
Chapter 10 Chapter 11 |
Chapter 10 Quiz |
|
11 Statistical Analysis |
July 13th July 15th |
Chapter 11 Chapter 12 |
Chapter 11 Quiz |
|
12 Single-Case & Quasi-Experiments |
July 20th July22nd |
Chapter 13/14, review |
Chapter 12 Quiz Final Paper due @11:59pm |
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule is tentative and subject to change:
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf
If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:
- Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
- For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
- For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
Students seeking academic consideration:
- are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;
- are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
- must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.
10.0 CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR RETURN TO LOCKDOWN: IN-PERSON & BLENDED CLASSES
In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the term that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online, as determined by the course instructor.
11.0 STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE
In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:
- please “arrive” to class on time
- please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
- please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
- to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
- In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
- In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
- Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting
The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:
- If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
- Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
- Self-identify when speaking.
- Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).
General considerations of “netiquette”:
- Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
- Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
- Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
- Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.
Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.
12.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2021-2022 Calendar References
If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf
Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).
Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
Policy on the Recording of Synchronous Sessions: All of the remote learning sessions for this course will be recorded. The data captured during these recordings may include your image, voice recordings, chat logs and personal identifiers (name displayed on the screen). The recordings will be used for educational purposes related to this course, including evaluations. The recordings may be disclosed to other individuals participating in the course for their private or group study purposes. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns related to session recordings. Participants in this course are not permitted to record the sessions, except where recording is an approved accommodation, or the participant has the prior written permission of the instructor.
