Introductions

Why take research methods? “Because it is required” Other good reasons: Psychology is a science You may need to conduct a study Reading and evaluating other studies Becoming better “consumers” of science Making decisions in your daily lives Become a “better thinker”

Course Format Large Lecture Sections (MW 10-11) Given by me (Dr. Cutting) Overview of the main issues in research methodology Exams (3) are in the lecture sections Class research project Labs on M, Tu, W, Th, F (depending on your section) Given by your TAs Emilio Lobato (sections 02 & 05) Rachel Workman (sections 03 & 06) Sarah Caputo (sections 07 & 08) “Hands on” experiences with research In-lab exercises Group research project

Your syllabus It is on-line. ReggieNet available through My Illinois State portal Backup: Write down the following address (in a couple of places) and bookmark it. http://psychology.illinoisstate.edu/jccutti/psych231/f16/f16syllabus.html

Textbooks Required Lab Manual for Psychological Research, Revised 3rd Edition (McBride & Cutting) The Process of Research in Psychology, 3rd Edition (McBride)

Course Objectives Basically the "nuts and bolts" of putting together and completing a research project in psychology. Learning to review the primary literature Getting a research idea Development and execution of a research plan Basic analysis of research results. Presentation of the results

Course Requirements 3 Exams (35%) Homework exercises (10%) Each is cumulative. First two are each worth 10% of your final grade. The final exam is worth 15% of your final grade. Homework exercises (10%) CITI ethics training (2%) 2 Journal article summary assignments (4% each) research participation alternative for second On-line Quizzes May take each up to 5 times, best score counts Lab Assignments (30%) Lab exercises (15%) Lab Group research project (15%) Class Research project (15%) Project Proposal (5%) Final APA style manuscript(10%)

Topics The research process, from start to finish Get an idea Formulate a testable hypothesis Review the literature Design the study Collect data Analyze the data Interpret the results Present the results

Experiments can be fun! Are elephants afraid of mice? Mythbusters: long (~8 min) Testable hypotheses Control groups Replication

Next time Ways of knowing The Scientific Method Psychology as a Science Chapter 1