Psychology 330 Experimental Methods

Fall 2022 / Course ID 000574

Psy 330 Tentative Course Schedule

Course Information

 Required Texts:

·         Gravetter F.J. & Forzano, L.B. (2016)  Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences  (5th ed.), Cengage Publishing.  ISBN: 9781305104136.  The 6th edition will work, too. 

·         Galvan, J.L. & Galvan, M.C. (2017) Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences (7th ed.),  Taylor & Francis.
    ISBN: 9780415315746

·         There are also several readings added to the schedule throughout the semester. These readings will be available as pdf files on the course website.

Course Description:  Course emphasizing report writing (APA editorial style), and application of research methodology and statistics. 

Prerequisite:  PSY 230 with a passing grade

Student Learning Outcomes:  As a result of taking this course, you will be able to:

1.  Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
2.  Read and review psychological research more critically.
3.  Become aware of ethical concerns and guidelines regarding the use of human and animal participants in research.
4.  Write a coherent literature review.
5.  Plan an experiment to investigate a specific question using scientific methods.
6.  Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
7.  Present scientific information effectively in both written and verbal formats.
8.  Incorporate technology into research presentations.

Writing Intensive Designation:  Psy 330 Experimental Methods carries a writing intensive course designation (“W”), and addresses all six written communication competencies of the Dragon Core/Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum.
The writing competencies that are extended are as follows:

1.  Psy 330 employs a “coherent writing process” that requires students to submit early drafts of sections of the final paper for editing and revisions.
2.  Psy 330 requires you to meet and consult with your professor to “produce quality written products.”
3.  Psy 330 requires that you read, analyze, synthesize and integrate appropriate research and diverse readings for assignments and your research proposal.
4.  Psy 330 requires you locate, use and cite appropriate primary and secondary research articles using APA style formatting for your research proposal.
5.  Psy 330 requires that you make logical, effective and engaging, writing critiques and papers for a scientific audience.
6.  Psy 330 requires the use of correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling in all written papers.

Assignments and Grading:
There will be two take-home quizzes in this class.  We will also have multiple in-class and out-of-class assignments.  Assignment requirements and point totals will be announced in class and posted in D2L.  This is a writing intensive course.   All quizzes and assignments must be typed with proper grammar and sentence construction.  All late assignments without proper documentation will be penalized five percent for each calendar day late in addition to typical grading deductions.

The final project for this class is the development of an APA-style research proposal.  You will be required to begin working on this paper almost immediately, as sections of it will be due throughout the semester. 

The smaller application assignments will culminate in and prepare you for completing the final project. As such, it is extremely important to keep up with the course content and assignments, immediately communicating any questions or obstacles to your professor.  Falling behind or not understanding the smaller assignments will negatively impact your final project grades or prevent you from completing the final project assignments. Since this course is the second course in a three-course sequence and the pre-requisite for the third course, failing this course will delay your graduation by at least one semester. 

There will be an estimated 340 total points available in this course. Here is a general list of assignments for this semester:

·         Seven 10-point assignments/activities to apply class content: 70 points

·         Three 20-point assignments to apply focus areas (article summaries, ethics training, and stats practice): 60 points

·         Two 20-point take-home quizzes requiring essay or other open-ended responses: 40 points

·         Written Research Proposal: 130 points total (5 points for topic choice/explanation, 20 points for outline, 50 points for draft of introduction and references, and 55 points for final proposal)

·         Research Proposal Presentation: 40 points

Grades will be assigned using the following scale:

A = 90-100% of total points         B = 80-89%          C = 70-79%          D = 60-69%          F = less than 60%

Student Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of each student to:

·         Be aware of all information in the syllabus, including dates and procedures for assignments and grading

·         Frequently check the D2L course page for class announcements/ or changes

·         Complete the reading assignments

·         Take an active role in learning the material by using posted lectures, notes, and activities to their fullest extent. 

·         Manage time and abide by due dates for all assignments, quizzes, papers, and presentations.

·         Seek out help from the professor in a timely fashion 

·         Communicate any illness or difficulty with online access to the professor immediately. Consult with the professor to formulate a make-up plan as appropriate. 

·         Monitor your performance in this class, including keeping track of your grades

·         Inform the professor at the start of the semester of documented special needs/accommodations

Incompletes: No incompletes will be given unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. University policy requires that the student sign a “Removal of Incomplete” contract with the instructor for completion of the work. Under this policy, an incomplete will automatically be converted to an F if the work is not completed in one semester.

Accessibility Statement: Minnesota State University Moorhead is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students and strives to make courses inclusive and accessible in accordance with sections 508, 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Accessibility Resources (AR) is the campus office that collaborates with students in need of accommodations and assists in arranging reasonable accommodations. 

If you have or think you may have a disability or are currently registered and have questions/concerns, please contact the Director of Accessibility Resources at:  Charles.Eade@mnstate.edu.  Additional information is available on the AR website: http://www.mnstate.edu/accessibility 

The ADA Coordinator for students and ADA compliance issues is Chuck Eade, Director of Accessibility Resources; charles.eade@mnstate.edu.

Academic and Student Support Services

MSUM provides multiple student support services to help you through your academic career here.

• The Academic Support Center has resources to assist you with Advising, Registration, Academic Support and Tutoring, and Academic Enhancement. Visit their website for a list of services Academic Support Center, or call 218.477.4318. (mnstate.edu/asc/)
• MSUM Counseling Services offers free and confidential mental health care. (mnstate.edu/counseling-services/)
• The University Writing Support Center has trained writing tutors to offer constructive feedback on your writing assignments. (mnstate.edu/write/)
• The Student Handbook is a valuable reference available to you. (mnstate.edu/student-handbook/). Here you will find policies related to plagiarism, cheating, and more.
• eServices provides online registration and account management. (mnstate.edu/eservices/)
• Library Distance Ed Services are available to you as you research and study. (libguides.mnstate.edu/content.php?pid=448709)
• Accessibility Resources provides services to students with documented disabilities. (mnstate.edu/accessibility/)

Technical Support

In any online course, certain minimum technical skills are expected. In this course I expect you to be able to:

·         Navigate the course site hosted in D2L Brightspace to locate materials and participate in course activities.

o   Complete a computer check prior to the start of the course to ensure your computer software is compatible with D2L Brightspace.

·         Create written assignments in MS Word.

o   Make sure you have access to Word via Microsoft 365.

·         Join optional virtual meetings via Zoom as needed.

o   Join a test Zoom meeting and understand how to connect your audio and video for a meeting.

·         Set up and use remote access to SPSS on your laptop

o   Instructions for using remote apps:  https://www.mnstate.edu/it/remoteapps.aspx 

Should you need technical assistance, the IT Help Desk is available for by phone 218.477.2603, email support@mnstate.edu, or drop-in at their desk in the Library, room 122 (mnstate.edu/helpdesk/).

D2L Brightspace Tutorials are available for students: mnstate.edu/instructional-technology/desire2learn/#tabs-4. 

Sexual Violence:  Acts of sexual violence are intolerable. MSUM expects all members of the campus community to act in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others.  We are committed to eliminating all acts of sexual violence. 

MSUM faculty and staff are concerned about the well-being and development of our students. We are obligated to share information with the MSUM Title IX Coordinator in certain situations to help ensure that the students’ safety and welfare is being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law. These disclosures include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.

If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, services and resources are available. You may also choose to file a report. For further information, contact Lynn Peterson, Title IX Coordinator, petrsnly@mnstate.edu; 218-477-2967, or Ashley Atteberry, Director of Student Conduct & Resolution.

Safety/Emergency Plans:  As we prepare to start a new academic year and semester, the MSUM Facilities, Grounds & Safety Committee would like everyone to review the Emergency maps as well as the Emergency Preparedness Guide.  Even a quick look at this information can make a difference in how you may react/respond in an emergency.  If you have questions after reviewing this information, please contact Ryan Nelson, Director of Public Safety for further clarification.  Thank you in advance for taking time to help protect yourself and others.

Building maps showing emergency exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, and fire alarm pull stations are conspicuously located in classrooms, labs, conference rooms, departmental main offices and residence halls.  The Emergency Preparedness Guides (flip style booklets) are located with the maps.  Please review the floor plans as well as the guide so you know how to respond in an emergency situation to help protect yourself and others.    If you have questions, please contact Kevin Pallas, Director of Public Safety, at kevin.pallas@mnstate.edu or 218-477-5869.  https://www2.mnstate.edu/public-safety/  .

Anti-bias Statement: Minnesota State University Moorhead has an enduring commitment to enhancing Minnesota’s quality of life by developing and fostering understanding and appreciation of a free and diverse society and providing equal opportunity for all its students and employees. Incidents of hate and bias are inconsistent with the mission and values of MSUM.  

MSUM acknowledges that it occupies the ancestral land of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Dakota (Sisseton, Wahpeton) and Yanktonai Dakota First Nations.  We will strive to build toward better relationship between our university and the indigenous people still present with us.

A bias incident is an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation that is motivated in whole or in part by bias based on an individual's or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or familial status.

If you are a student who has experienced or witnessed a hate or bias incident, we want to address the incident and provide you with resources. Contact the Campus Diversity Officer, Jered Pigeon at jered.pigeon@mnstate.edu, 218-477-2047, 114 CMU or the Dean of Students, Kara Gravley-Stack at kara.gravleystack@mnstate.edu, 218-477-4222, 153 Flora Frick Hall. Additional information is available at: https://www2.mnstate.edu/oscar/