May 02, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PSY 289 - Psychology Research Methods [SUN# PSY 2290]

4 Credits, 6 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 3 lab periods

Introduction to scientific methodologies used in psychological research. Includes experience in using a range of psychological research methods for students.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 , PSY 230 , and WRT 101  
Recommendation: Designed for students planning to major or minor in psychology.
Information: Prerequisite(s) may be waived with consent of instructor before enrolling in this class.
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe and discuss the methods used in most psychological research including experimental, correlational, and naturalistic approaches.
  2. Locate research literature in the field of psychology.
  3. Identify the appropriate statistical analysis for different research designs.
  4. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses (in terms of internal and external validity) of the methods employed in selected studies.
  5. Describe the logic of experimentation.
  6. Describe the main themes of the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines on ethics.
  7. Conceptualize and design a research study and report it in a formal research proposal.
  8. Write research reports using APA publication format.

Outline:
  1. Introduction to Research Methods
    1. What is science?
    2. Different types of research methods
  2. Research Problem Formulation
    1. Developing the hypothesis
    2. Library research
  3. Statistics
    1.  Descriptive
    2. Inferential
  4. Hypothesis Testing
    1. Statistical hypothesis testing
    2. Threats to internal validity
    3. Threats to external validity
  5. Experimental Design and Control
    1. A. Between-subjects designs
    2. Within-subjects designs
  6. Non-Experimental Designs
    1. Correlational designs
    2. Naturalistic research
    3. Surveys and sampling
  7. Single-Subject Designs
    1. Case study designs
    2. . Experimental single-subject designs
  8. Research Ethics
    1. Rights of research participants
    2. Ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association
  9. Reporting Research
    1. Sentific article
    2. American Psychological Association publication format


Effective Term:
Summer 2009