1. Introductions PSY 231: Research Methods in Psychology Dr. Cutting
Fall 2018
Dr. Cutting
Lecture section 001
Lab sections 2, 3, 4, 5
Introductions

2. 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”

3. Course Format Large Lecture Sections (MW 11-11:50)
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 Th, F (depending on your section)
Given by your TAs
Jennifer Gavin (sections 02 & 05)
Rosaury Hernandez (sections 03 & 04)
“Hands on” experiences with research
In-lab exercises
Group research project

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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 (10%)
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%)

8. 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

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

10. The Science of Mythbusting
Are elephants afraid of mice? long (~8 min)
Accept the myth or Test the myth
Testable hypotheses – is the phenomenon something that can be observed and tested
Method – what is best way to make the observations to be tested?
Control groups – comparisons are key
Replication – are you more likely to believe something that happens once, or happens multiple times
The Science of Mythbusting

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