Research Methods in Psychology Certificate

PSY 105 Introduction to Research in Psychology 4 Credits

Students will be introduced to the basic research methods used in psychology including surveys, experiments, and observation. Students will collect data and learn to describe this data using basic tools of analysis including graphic display and statistical analysis. Students will read original psychological research and learn to write using the conventions of the American Psychological Association.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131.

PSY 105L Introduction to Research Methods Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken concurrently with PSY 105.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131.

PSY 201 Statistics and Research Design 3 Credits

Introduces students to statistics and research methods in the behavioral sciences. Covers the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics, a variety of issues in research design, selected research designs including the case study, correlational and experimental designs. In addition, students will explore the literature in psychology in order to examine the use of statistics and research design in real research problems.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 105/105L.

PSY 302 Research Methods: Cognition 4 Credits

Provides students with an in-depth coverage of the expanding field of cognition and memory. Addresses issues and research within the field. Emphasis is on current views of human memory. Students learn how to design and conduct their own experiments from the topic areas of information processing, psycholinguistics, problem solving, learning and memory, social cognition, and cognitive neuroscience. Laboratory skills include programming computers, developing multimedia stimuli, recording psycho- physiological data, and composing an APA-format research report in a network-based writing lab.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 302L Research Methods: Cognition Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131) and 30 credits and a minimum grade of "C" in PSY 201.

PSY 303 Research Methods: Social Psychology 4 Credits

Covers research methodology within the context of social psychology (i.e., topics include altruism, aggression, attraction and social perception). Both experimental and descriptive methodologies will be covered. Students learn about various aspects of the research process (e.g., design and execution of a social psychological study, analyzing and interpreting the results). Students also learn to integrate their research findings to produce an APA-style paper. Students use computer-based word processing and statistical analysis packages to achieve these goals.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 303L Research Methods: Social Psychology Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisites(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 306 Research Methods: Sensation & Perception 4 Credits

Provides instruction in research design, research methods, and integration of data analysis and methodology within the content framework of sensation and perception. All the general psychology research methods are taught. Special emphasis is given to the study of human vision and audition. Students design, conduct, and report laboratory research in the areas of sensation and perception. The computer-based components of the laboratory include lessons on interactive software instrumentation for research, and network-based technical writing using APA format. Projects are conducted during the term. Each student will: a) develop and generate research stimuli and procedures, b) analyze and report research data, and c) write formal research reports.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 306L Sensation & Perception Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201

Corequisite PSY 306.

PSY 315 Psychological Tests 3 Credits

Examines the history of psychological testing. Issues concerning the construction of psychological tests are discussed, including concepts concerning reliability, validity, and item analysis. The rationale and structure of the major tests of intelligence, aptitude, and personality are reviewed, including the Rorschach, WAIS, TAT, MMPI, and Bender- Gestalt. In the last section of the course, students are given hands-on experience in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a standard test battery.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 45 credits.

PSY 329 Research Methods in Organizational Psychology 4 Credits

This course covers general area of research methods such as experimental and non-experimental methods, measurement, statistics, and preparation of reports for presentation and publication. In addition, research topics common in the area of organizational psychology such as worker motivation, job satisfaction, stress and burnout, communications in the workplace, productivity, decision-making, leadership style, and organizational structure will also be discussed. Students gain hands-on experience conducting empirical research.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201 or MSD 205.

PSY 329L Research Methods in Organizational Psychology 0 Credits

This course covers the general areas of research methods such as experimental and non-experimental methods, measurement, statistics, and preparation of reports for presentation and publication. In addition, research topics common in the area of organizational psychology such as worker motivation, job satisfaction, stress and burnout, communications in the workplace, productivity, decision-making, leadership style, and organizational structure will also be discussed. Students gain hands-on experience conducting empirical research.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201 or MSD 205.

PSY 335 Research Methods: Human Cognitive Neuroscience 4 Credits

Covers the interdisciplinary study of the nervous system integrating neurobiology, physiology, pharmacology, and psychology as explanations for both normal and pathological human behavior. Topics integrate molecular levels of analysis, such as neuron structure and function, neurotransmitters, action potentials, and receptors, with molar levels, such as sensory and hormonal processes, learning and memory, emotions, drug use, and biological rhythms. Introduces research techniques used to study the function of the nervous system and the neural bases of behavior in humans. Neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, pharmacological, and neuropsychological assessment techniques may be explored as part of laboratory or field research projects designed in collaboration with the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 335L Research Methods: Human Cognitive Neuroscience Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 336 Research Methods: Animal Learning & Behavior 4 Credits

Provides a comprehensive overview of the acquisition and modification of the behavior of animals, especially on laboratory strains of rodents and pigeons. Core topics include respondent and operant conditioning, animal cognition, observational learning, animal safety and welfare, single-subject and between-groups approaches to methodology, and the statistical analysis of the results of studies of behavior. The laboratory component of the course provides a comprehensive overview of animal handling and maintenance, animal welfare, and the recording of experimental results. Two substantial projects are undertaken; demonstration of a conditioned taste aversion and its effect upon the acquisition and extinction of an operant (bar press) response and subsequent discrimination and reversal learning. Results of both projects are written into APA-formatted reports.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 336L Animal Learning and Behavior Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 339 Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis 4 Credits

This upper-level laboratory course will provide students with an in-depth study of the principles and applications of Applied Behavior Analysis. Students will examine behavioral principles, ethical considerations, and real-life applications of ABA. Each student will design and implement a self-management plan to alter the behavior of their choosing.

Prerequisite(s): (Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131) and 30 credits and (PSY 212 or PSY 225) and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 339L Research Methods in ABA Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course. (Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131) and (PSY 212 or PSY 225) and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 340 Research Methods: Group Dynamics 4 Credits

Focuses on selected issues pertaining to group dynamics. Emphasizes an understanding of the personality and social factors that influence the functioning of unstructured and task-oriented groups. Students participate in a task group for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive research project on selected issues in group dynamics and the psychology of groups. The task group prepares an APA-style paper describing their research as well as an in-class presentation. Each student also submits a midterm and final written analysis of the interactional processes and development of the task group.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

Corequisite: PSY 340L.

PSY 340L Group Dynamics Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 350 Research Methods: Developmental Psychology 4 Credits

Focuses on one or more research areas in cognitive, personality, or social development. Includes an overview of major theoretical approaches to age-related change. Students review original research on selected aspects of behavioral change. The laboratory component of the course presents an overview of developmental research designs and methods focusing on the measurement of age-related changes in psychological functioning. Students conduct research projects designed in collaboration with the instructor and prepare an APA-style research report.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 350L Developmental Psychology Lab 0 Credits

This lab is a co-requisite and must be taken with the corresponding course.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 30 credits and a minimum grade of C in PSY 201.

PSY 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression 1-4 Credits

Provides students with an opportunity to design and carry out original research in an area of their choice. Students designate a faculty supervisor and work closely with him/her during the semester. All students must have approval from the department and the dean to register for PSY 490.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or PSY 102 or PSY 110 or PSY 131 and 75 credits.