CRN 70111 & 70121 PSYC 2: Research Methods

Course Information

Course Description

An introduction to research methods in psychology. This course presents how researchers in psychology use critical analysis, theories, and methods to generate usable information. Emphasis on research design, experimental procedures, instrumentation, qualitative methods, and the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings. Attention is paid to strategies to decolonize psychological research.

Adds and Drops

Please place an add request through your myRAM portal if you're interested in joining the class. This automated system allows me to manage space availability in a fair and efficient manner.

While I appreciate your enthusiasm for the course, using the portal rather than of emailing me speeds up the process for everyone and ensures all requests are treated equally.

Students may be dropped if they don't participate during the first week of instruction.

Materials

The course textbook is Research Methods 4th edition, which is freely available online. We follow the textbook material closely, so please take a look through it to get a sense of the course content.

I use Canvas for all assignments and grading.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe in a student-centric approach that encourages active learning, critical thinking, and the application of knowledge in real-world settings. I can promise you that you'll find this course challenging, but I'm committed to providing the necessary support for your academic success. I encourage proactive communication and collaborative problem-solving as keys to overcoming challenges.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

Critique research approaches through various lenses.
Summarize guidelines for the ethical treatment of diverse human and animal participants in research.
Explain key psychological research concepts.
Apply research methodologies to specific research questions.

Time Commitment & Course Difficulty

Expect to spend 9-12 hours a week on coursework, including readings, assignments, and research.

A typical week consists of reading the textbook chapter and watching a few supplemental videos to reinforce key concepts. Then, you'll have a discussion with your classmates and complete a quiz on what you've learned that week. Sometimes I'll give you another practice assignment in addition to the discussion and quiz.

Remember that psychology is a rigorous scientific discipline! Your focus and attention to detail matter here, not just for grades but for the integrity of scientific research and people's well-being. In this class, you'll learn how to conduct studies with the precision and rigor the field demands.

There are two research projects this semester. You'll work on them in groups. They're fun but will require considerable effort.

Important Dates

This class is entirely online, but there are two key dates:

Midterm must be submitted by 10/25/24. I'll give you a 2-day window to work on it.
Final exam must be submitted by 12/18/24. I'll give you a 2-day window for this as well.

There's no need to come to campus; everything happens in our online platform. But these deadlines are set in stone, so make sure to plan around them when you're organizing your semester.

I look forward to having you in the class!