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Research Design and Analysis

Fall 2010
PSY 3392 501 Room: CR 1.202 Monday 7:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Instructor Contact Information


Kristin Kuhlman Atchison, Ph.D.
E-mail: Kkatchison@utdallas.edu Office: CR 1.320 or GR 2.410 Office Hours: By appointment.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions


PSY 2317, 3390 or STAT 1342

Course Description:
This course covers the methods used by research psychologists to test hypotheses. You will learn
how to 1) identify and frame a research question, 2) design an appropriate study to address this
question, 3) implement statistical analysis strategies for examining generated data and 4) report
study findings in a proper format. Along the way, it is my hope that the course will also better
equip you to critically evaluate psychological research.

Textbooks and Materials


• Required Textbook: Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S. (2009). Research
Methods in Psychology, 8th Edition, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
• Recommended: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th Ed.) (2001).
Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association.
o There is a new 6th edition, however, we will be using the 5th edition from 2001
• Additional required readings will be assigned and posted on the eLearning site for our class.
• On Hold at the Library: Bordens, K. S. & Abbott, Bruce, B. (2008). Research and Design Methods: A
Process Approach, 7th Edition, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
• Required materials: CALCULATOR (cell phones and communication devices are not permissible
calculators). STAPLER (Assignments MUST be stapled to be accepted!)

NOTE: All written assignments are to be in APA style. A portion of the grade for each assignment will be
devoted to adherence to APA style in accordance with the APA manual. Students are responsible for turning in
assignments in APA style regardless of whether they own the manual or not.

Course Website: New assignments, revisions to the syllabus, announcements, and your grades will be posted
on the eLearning site. You are then responsible for checking this site frequently (at least twice weekly) in order
to remain aware of new activities, announcements, etc. Make sure that you have a UTD email address on this
account (see info below on UTD email policy). All email correspondence with students enrolled in this class
will be through UTD email.

The timeline that follows is an estimate, and is subject to change at the lecturer’s discretion. Other
assignments may be added.

PSY 3393 Syllabus - Atchison Page 1


Date Topic Required Reading Assignments Due
BOLD – Individual
homework
Italics – In-class group
assignment
Monday Introduction to course. Introduction to Ch. 1 & 2
8/23 Psychological Research. Scientific Method.
Monday Research Ethics. Ch. 3 Internet research
8/30 participation &
summary
Monday Labor Day – University Closed
9/6 No Class
Monday Communication in Psychology Ch. 14 Protecting Human
9/13 Research Participants
Literature Review
Sources
Monday EXAM 1
9/20
Monday Observation Ch. 4
9/27
Monday Survey Research. Unobtrusive measures of Ch. 5 & 6 Constructing a
10/4 behavior. Questionnaire
Monday Data Analysis Part I Ch. 12 Data Analysis Part I
10/11
Monday EXAM 2
10/18
Monday Independent Group Designs Ch. 7
10/25
Monday Repeated Measures Designs Ch. 8
11/1
Monday Complex Designs Ch. 9 Research Design
11/8 Assignment
Monday EXAM 3
11/15
Monday Single-Case & Small-n research Ch. 10
11/22
Monday Quasi-Experimental Designs Ch. 11
11/29
Monday Data Analysis Part II Ch. 13 Data Analysis Part II
12/6 Last day for: Oral
presentation summary
Monday EXAM 4
12/13

Course & Instructor Policies


1. Course Assignments. There will be at least 8 assignments. Some of the assignments will be individual
assignments, others will be in class group assignments. One activity will be turned in for each small
group, and the entire group will receive the same grade. If a group member is absent, that member will
be given a zero for the assignment. The lowest 2 assignment grades will be dropped. The remaining
grades will contribute equally to the 30-point total.

PSY 3393 Syllabus - Atchison Page 2


• Quizzes. In class quizzes may be given to assess student knowledge of the assigned readings.
These will be given at my discretion. Quiz grades will be included with the course assignment
grades.

2. Exams. You will have 4 exams that will contribute equally to the final 60 point total. For each exam
all material covered in the course may be evaluated, but will heavily emphasize material covered since
the previous exam.

3. Participation. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, complete the assigned readings before
each class, and participate in class discussions and assignments. If you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to acquire missing lecture notes, assignments, and announcements from a classmate.
a. Group/Self Evaluation on Group Participation. Working effectively in a group is an
important skill. Your group members will evaluate your participation in the group. You will
also evaluate yourself. Evaluations will contribute to your participation grade.

Grade Assignment Policy:


The course grade will be based on the above assignments.
Assignments/Quizzes 30
Exams 60
Participation 10
TOTAL 100
Final grades will be calculated as follows: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, and 60-69% = D. Plusses
and minuses may be given for borderline cases at my discretion. If you are concerned about your grade, see
me as early as possible.

Research Exposure Credits Requirement:


As part of your course requirements in all Psychology Core Courses, you are required to come into direct contact with
the process of behavioral research. You are required to earn two Research Participation Credits (RPC) for each
Psychology Core Course you enroll. If you fail to complete this requirement, you will receive a grade of “Incomplete”.
For more information visit: http://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/students/advising/pdf/requirements.pdf

Late policy:
Because of the importance of understanding one assignment before moving on to the next, it is imperative that work be
turned in on time. All assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the class period, and they must be turned in
proofread and typed.

Assignments and quizzes: There are at least 8 homework assignments/quizzes. Assignments are due at the beginning
of class, and will not be accepted after the break. The lowest 2 assignment/quiz grades will be dropped. No excuses
for late assignments or missed quizzes will be accepted, for ANY REASON!

Make-up exam policy: DO NOT MISS AN EXAM! Make-ups exams will only be given if you notify the instructor
prior to the exam. Failure to do so may result in a grade of ZERO on the exam. Documentation must be provided to
grant make-ups (doctor’s note, etc.). Planned vacations or non-university travel is not sufficient reason to miss an
exam. It is your responsibility to make up the exam within one week of the scheduled exam time. Be prepared—make-
up exams are designed to be more difficult than regular exams to compensate for having more study time.

Extra credit: There will be no individualized extra credit given for this course.

Classmate contact information: Students are strongly encouraged to obtain contact information from a classmate.
This is extremely helpful if you miss class. Notes will not be provided by Dr. Atchison.

Classmate’s name: ________________________

Classmate’s email address: ________________________

PSY 3393 Syllabus - Atchison Page 3


Student Conduct & Discipline retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to
Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is
business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student
to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal
is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint
registered students each academic year. and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be
within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures distributed to all involved parties.
are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist
on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist Incomplete Grade Policy
students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391). As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course
responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight
local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed
whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. automatically to a grade of F.

Academic Integrity Disability Services


The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with
and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers.
the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours
imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday,
or her scholastic work. 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As PO Box 830688
a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis
other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom
under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be
possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a
student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility
Email Use impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-
efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through taking, or mobility assistance.
electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the
and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability
U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all
individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD Religious Holy Days
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy
Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under
Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts. Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor
Withdrawal from Class as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or
withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period
that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student
is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may
class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or
proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that
course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the
Student Grievance Procedures absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable
Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or
Procedures. the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must
evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and
of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.
instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members Professor.

PSY 3393 Syllabus - Atchison Page 4

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