PSY 410: Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

Course Description

This course will focus on the fundamental principles of behavioral science research. There will be an overview of the conceptual need for research and an analysis of the methods or designs commonly employed, as well as the procedures utilized to collect and analyze data. Students will review and design research in their areas of interest. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • MAT 105: Statistics
  • PSY 101: Psychology or SOC 101: Sociology

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Develop and refine a research topic that you are interested in.
  2. Conduct a literature search on the Internet and locate and retrieve Psychological articles that are associated with your research topic.
  3. Write an introduction for a manuscript based on a review the articles they retrieved.
  4. Become familiar with writing in APA style and will write an APA style manuscript, including title page, abstract page, introduction, conclusion and reference page.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

15%

Research Paper Assignments (Weeks 2, 3 & 5)

35%

Chapter Questions (Weeks 1-6)

20%

Research Paper (Week 8)

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 7th ed. American Psychological Association, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1-4338-3216-1
  • Gravetter, Frederick and Lori Ann Forzano. Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. 6th ed. Cengage Learning. 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1-337-61331-6

 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

Topics: Acquiring Knowledge and The Scientific Method & Research Ideas

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 1 & 2
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture Material
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums 1 and 2
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 1 and 2

2

2,4

Topics: Defining and Measuring Variables & Ethics in Research

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 3 & 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture Material
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums 3 and 4
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 3 and 4
  • Submit Research Paper Topic

3

1,2

Topics: Selecting Research Participants & Research Strategies and Validity

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 5 & 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture Material
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums 5 and 6
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 5 and 6
  • Submit Title Page of research paper

4

1,2

Topics: The Experimental Research Strategy & Experimental Designs: Between-Subjects Design & Experimental Designs: Within-Subjects Designs

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 7, 8 & 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture Material
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums for Chapters 7, 8, and 9
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 7, 8, and 9

5

1,2,3

Topics: Nonexperimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies & Factorial Designs

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 10 & 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums for Chapters 10 and 11
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 10 and 11
  • Submit references with at least three primary source articles

6

1,2

Topics: Correlational Research Strategy & Descriptive Research Strategy

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 12 & 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture Material
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums for Chapters 12 and 13
  • Complete Chapter Questions for Chapters 12 and 13

7

1-4

Topic: Research Week

  • Readings:
    • No required reading
  • No chapter assignments
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums for week 7
  • Continue work for Research Paper
  • Submit research paper to Turnitin

8

1-4

Topics: Conclusion and Summary

  • Readings:
    • No required reading
  • No chapter assignments
  • Submit Research Paper
  • Participate in Discussion Board forums for week 8
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.