PY 283 - Research Methods

Description
This class is an examination of basic research methods in psychology. Students will be introduced to the logic of psychological research, the formulation and testing of hypotheses, research design, sampling procedures, data collection, and data analysis. This class will also cover the consumption and critique of research, ethics in conducting research, and how individual values and cultural context influences scientific research.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: PY 201 (C or Higher) and [PY 281 (C or Higher) or MA 215 (C or Higher)]
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Psychology, A.A. (General Transfer)

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Interpret complex statistical findings and graphs in the context of their level of statistical significance, including the influence of effect size, and explain these findings using common language.
Describe, evaluate, and discuss research methods used by psychologists including their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Design descriptive methods of research studies (e.g., observational and survey) to describe operationally defined phenomenon.
Design simple, complex, and applied scientific studies to confirm a hypothesis based on operational definitions.
Use quantitative and/or qualitative analyses to argue for or against a particular hypothesis.
Relate examples of how a researcher’s value system, sociocultural characteristics, and historical context influence the development of scientific inquiry on psychological questions.
Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.
Use well-designed search strategies to gather data and information.
Identify quality sources for data and information pertinent to a problem or issue being examined.

Course Outline:

I. Introduction to the Scientific Method

II.Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Psychological Research

III. Elements of Observation Research

IV. Conducting Survey Research

V. Experimental Methods: Independent Groups Designs

VI. Experimental Methods: Repeated Measures Designs

VII. Experimental Methods: Complex Designs

VIII. Applied Research: Single-Case Designs, and Small-n Research

IX. Applied Research: Quasi-Experimental Designs and Program Evaluation

X. Data Analysis and Interpretation: Describing Data, Confidence Intervals, Correlation

XI. Data Analysis and Interpretation: Tests of Statistical Significance

XII. Communication of results

XIII. Consider issues of individual values and cultural context in scientific inquiry

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
40% - 60% Lecture

20% - 40% Group Work

10% - 30% Software Guided

20% - 40% Application/Experiential
Mandatory Course Components:
Analyze peer reviewed scientific articles Design research studies Implement research studies Critique existing research in terms of validity and application
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 104647
Course CIP Code: 42.01
Maximum Course Enrollment: 28
School: School of STEM
Department: Psychology
Discipline: PY
First Term Valid: Fall 2015 (8/1/2015)
1st Catalog Year: 2015-2016
Name of Course Author:
Frank Conner

Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Evidence in practice and credentials of post-graduate level research in the behavior sciences

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250224T20:23:27
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030