Research Design and Analysis: Syllabus

Summer 2011

Course Information

Course Number.Section Class Times

PSY 3392.0U1 Tues/Thurs 12:00 – 1:50 p.m.
(3 credits) GR 4.301

Instructor Teaching Assistant

Kate Shepard, M.S., CCC-SLP Sunny Patel, M.S.
Office: GR 4.304 Office: GR 4.712
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (or by appt.) Office Hours: Mon 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Email: kateshepard@utdallas.edu Email: slpatel@utdallas.edu

Course Description
This course covers the methods used by research psychologists to test hypotheses. You will learn how to:
1) identify and frame a research question; 2) design an appropriate study to address this question; 3)
implement statistical analysis strategies for examining generated data; and 4) report study findings in a
proper format. Along the way, the course will prepare you to critically evaluate psychological research for
your academic and research careers and your daily life as a research consumer.

Pre-requisites
You must have completed PSY 2317 or STAT 1342 in order to take this course.

Student Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand and apply the scientific method, including developing testable hypotheses.
2. Differentiate descriptive, experimental, and applied research methods.
3. Apply descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques.
4. Understand the structure and function of research reports in sharing empirical knowledge.

Required Textbooks
Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2008). Research Methods in Psychology, 8th
Edition, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. [blue striped cover]

Suggested Course Materials

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Edition)

Required Research Exposure Credits

All students enrolled in this course are required to complete 2 research exposure credits this semester. Go
to the following link for more information:

http://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/undergraduate/pdf/requirements.pdf
Assignments
Evaluation of student performance will be based upon exams, in-class activities, and attendance.

Exams: A total of four exams will be given that will include material from both lectures and the textbook.

 Each exam will be a combination of multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and short-

answer questions. Exams will not be returned to students, although you may review your
exam performance with the instructor or the TA during office hours.

 Your lowest grade from Exams 1, 2, and 3 will be dropped. If you are satisfied with your
grades on Exams 1 and 2, you may choose to miss Exam 3 for a grade of zero.

 The final exam (Exam 4) will be a cumulative exam that covers important concepts from the
first three exams, as well as material covered after Exam 3. The cumulative material on the
final exam will be concepts and terms deemed by the instructor to be the most critical
components of the course. Completion of this exam is mandatory, therefore, your grade from
Exam 4 cannot be dropped.

 Make-up exams will NOT be offered. Missing one of the first three exams for any reason
(e.g., illness, personal/family problems, death in the family) will result in a grade of zero that
may serve as your dropped exam grade.

In-Class Activities: A total of six in-class written activities will allow students to demonstrate knowledge
of the concepts discussed in the course.

 Activities will be completed in small groups of 4 students each, and each member of the
group will receive the same grade on the activity.

 Your lowest activity grade will be dropped. If you miss an activity day (see calendar below),
you will receive a zero for the missed activity. Make-up activities will not be offered.

Attendance: Attendance will be monitored throughout the semester, as attendance is a critical component
in performing well in this course. Lectures and activities will enhance your understanding of
concepts that will be covered on exams.

Grading Policy
Final grades will be calculated based on the following scale.

Letter Grades
Letter Percentage Letter Percentage
A+ 100 C 73-76
A 93-99 C- 70-72
A- 90-92 D+ 67-69
B+ 87-89 D 63-66
B 83-86 D- 60-62
B- 80-82 F 59 or lower
C+ 77-79 I Incomplete

PSY 3392 Course Syllabus Page 2

 Course Points
Assignment Available Points Final Points
Exam 1 100 100
Exam 2 100 0 (example: Exam 2 dropped)
Exam 3 100 100
Final Exam 100 100
Activities (20 pts. x 6) 120 100 (1 activity = 20 pts. dropped)
Attendance (17 classes) 100 100
TOTAL 620 500

Note: Extra credit assignments will not be offered.

Course & Instructor Policies

Classroom citizenship: It is the responsibility of the instructor and students to promote a comfortable
environment that promotes learning. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

 If you will be late to class or will be leaving early, please do so quietly as to not disrupt the
lecture.

 Please turn cell phones and laptops to “silent mode” during class.

 Please respect other students’ questions and comments. Students enter the classroom with
varying levels of knowledge. It is important to respect individual differences and opinions.

Policies and Procedures for Students

The University of Texas at Dallas provides a number of policies and procedures designed to provide
students with a safe and supportive learning environment. Brief summaries of the policies and procedures
are provided for you at http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/index.php/syllabus-policies-and-procedures-text
and include information about technical support, field trip policies, off-campus activities, student conduct
and discipline, academic integrity, copyright infringement, email use, withdrawal from class, student
grievance procedures, incomplete grades, access to Disability Services, and religious holy days. You may
also seek further information at these websites:
 http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm
 http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html
 http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm
 http://www.utdallas.edu/disability/documentation/index.html

Course Calendar
 Textbook chapters: Assigned readings from the textbook should be completed before lectures.

 Lecture slides: Copies of lecture slides will be available on eLearning prior to each lecture. It
is recommended that studies bring a copy of the slides to class so lectures flow smoothly.

 Activity days: Your attendance on activity days is encouraged, as activities make up 20% of
your final grade.

PSY 3392 Course Syllabus Page 3

 Month Date Topic Chapter
May 24 Introduction Syllabus
Tues. History of Psychological Research 1
26
The Scientific Method 2
Thurs.
31 Activity 1
3
Tues. Ethical Issues
June 2 Activity 2
Thurs. Exam Review
7
Exam 1 1, 2, 3
Tues.
9 Observational Designs 4
Thurs. Survey Research 5
14 Physical Trace and Archival Data 6
Tues. Activity 3
16 Descriptive Statistics 12
Thurs. Exam Review
21
Exam 2 4, 5, 6, 12
Tues.
23
Inferential Statistics 13
Thurs.
28 Writing Research Reports / APA Style 14
Tues. Activity 4
30
Experimental Designs 7
Thurs.
July 5
Repeated-Measures Designs 8
Tues.
7 Activity 5
Thurs. Exam Review
12
Exam 3 13, 14, 7, 8
Tues.
14
Complex Designs 9
Thurs.
19
Single-Case Designs 10
Tues.
21
Quasi-Experimental Designs 11
Thurs.
26
Activity 6
Tues.
28 Applying your knowledge: Using a dataset
Thurs. Exam Review
August 2
No Class - Reading day
Tues.
4 9, 10, 11
Final exam at 11:00 a.m.
Thurs. Main Concepts

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

PSY 3392 Course Syllabus Page 4