Overview
     This course is designed to teach you to use scientific methods to conduct psychological research. You will learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data, using a variety of empirical research methods. You will learn how to write a research report, describing what you did and what you found in a scientific manner. You will also learn to think critically about psychological issues.

     This course is likely to be more intensive and demanding than average.  Learning to become a good researcher takes practice, although the basic skills you need to master are simple:
      You must be systematic.
      You must be analytic.
Of course, these skills conflict with our usual habits of being non-systematic and intuitive. Our usual habits work well in many everyday instances, but they also often produce biases, errors of judgment, and mistaken information. By learning to recognize these limitations and how to reduce their impact, you will learn how to find out things for yourself.

     Part of learning to do research is learning how to write research reports, and initially you may find that writing research reports is difficult. However, research reports are simply a form of expository writing, and they follow a specific organization that is fairly straightforward, once you get the hang of it. Still, for most people, good writing requires writing more than one draft. Thus, you will do a lot of writing, and that takes time and effort.

     You may also find that learning to interpret data requires using problem-solving skills you don't use often. Empirical research does not come with an answer book of correct responses, and when unexpected events occur, you have to figure out what happened. The reward for this effort, though, is that you learn to solve real problems.

     You may feel this is the worst requirement in the department (except maybe for statistics), because it lacks relevance to your own interests. I disagree sharply with such a view. The methods we will study are an important part of one's education. These methods are powerful tools for understanding the world around us and are part of the fabric of modern Western culture. Those who understand the methods, whether they use them or not, have an advantage over those who don't.

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Specific Goals  
     This course is designed to help you achieve specific objectives with respect to (1) using research methods, (2) using computer technology, and (3) making public presentations.

The objectives for research methods are that you will know how to:
             1) use the Q-sort technique to evaluate qualitative data and use a Pearson r;
             2) do a field study and use a chi-square test;
             3) do a survey and analyze survey data;
             4) measure a sensory threshold and use a one sample t-test;
             5) calculate the speed of a mental process and use a regression line;
             6) measure how much is remembered from an experience;
             7)construct an ROC curve and calculate d';
             8) teach a rat to press a lever for food;
             9) measure the rate of learning a concept and use a paired sample t-test; and
            10) relate what people say they do to their performance on a task.

The objectives for computer technology are that you will know how to:
            1) write research reports in APA format on a word-processor;
            2) use Excel to analyze data and make graphs; and
            3) use Powerpoint to make a presentation.

The objectives for public presentations are that you will know how to:
            1) develop a poster presentation on a research project, and
            2) make an oral presentation on a research project.

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Logistics 
     This course includes two lecture sessions and two laboratory sessions each week. The lecture periods will be used to discuss important concepts and illustrate general approaches to psychological research.  The discussions and activities are intended to help you think critically about the purpose of research and the strengths and limitations of different research methods. Come to class prepared to discuss thoughtfully the research and methods assigned for that session.

     The lab sessions will teach you to use specific research methods and to analyze the results obtained from such methods.  Laboratory activities will usually require a written lab report (see Guidelines for Laboratory Reports) that will be due the week after completing the lab.  Exceptions to this general expectation will be announced in class.

     The Life Sciences Laboratory, in room B-23 in the basement of Armitage Hall, will be open for your use, especially for lab activities. Much of your computer work can also be done using the computers available on campus in the Business and Science Building, the Student Center, the Library, and the Law School.

     I will use WebCT as a means for you to submit your assignments.  Steps for signing on to WebCT are provided at the WebCT home page: http://webct.rutgers.edu. Be sure to sign on at the start of the semester.

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