An extension of the basic research designs and methods introduced in 42.251 Research Methods in Psychology I. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses for various designs are introduced, including analysis of variance, correlational techniques, and chi square. Students will read and critique examples of published research. The requirements adopted by the American Psychological Association for scientific writing will continue to be stressed. Prerequisites: 43.117 Intro to Statistics and 42.251 Research Methods in Psychology I.

Format: The format of this course will be a mix of lecture, out-of-class data collection & management, in- and out-of-class computer use, and professional writing. A great deal of independence will be expected in this course in terms of scheduling and meeting of deadlines. Students are expected to keep up with all assignments and attend all class meetings. Late work will not be graded.

Grading: Grades will be based on attendance, quizzes, a final exam, 14 SPSS lab-reports, a research proposal, & oral presentation. The highest score on each part of the course requirements will be summed and used to create a curve for the class. From that point, the following percentiles will be applied in determining letter grades: 100-97% = A; 96-93 = A-; 92-90 = B+; 89-87 = B; 86-83 = B-; 82-80 = C+; 79-77 = C; 76-73 = C-; 72-70 = D+; 69-67 = D; 66-63 = D-; <63 = F.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken at the start of each class period. Students with "perfect attendance" will be awarded 25 points at the end of semester. Perfect attendance is defined as no more than one missed class period, including late arrivals or early departures! After missing one class, 10 points will be deducted for class meeting missed. Missing 5 or more classes will result in course failure. Late arrivals or early departures will count as misses. Explanations of absences/lateness/early departures are not necessary; all absences count as nonattendance. Missing a class is not an excuse for turning in an assignment late or making-up an exam. Total points = 25

Exam: Depending on class performance as a whole, one exam will be given. The final exam format will require the ability to manage data and read/interpret SPSS print-outs. There is no make-up exam for any reasons. Total points = 200.

Quizzes: Unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester. These quizzes will be related to the SPSS topic under discussion. It is strongly recommended that students keep up with assignments - as familiarity will be a key to doing well on the quizzes. APA style and basics of research design may also appear on the quizzes - you might consider reviewing your Research Methods I notes. Quizzes will range in value from 5 to 25 points depending on length and difficulty. Total points = 150.

SPSS Lab-Reports & Notebook: Students will complete 14 research-related assignments through which they will master the basics of SPSS. Each of the assignments will result in a lab-report. Lab-reports must be typed and print-outs, where appropriate, must be attached and highlighted. Students will complete the assignments individually, although assistance from peers or TA's is acceptable/ advisable. Late reports will not be accepted. Grading of lab-reports will be based on completeness, accuracy of interpretations, and professional quality. A final notebook of previously graded and corrected lab-reports must be submitted by May 2nd at noon. The notebook will be graded in terms of organization and neatness. A name and table of contents are required. Lab-reports are worth from 15 to 50 points. The SPSS notebook is worth 25. Total points = 435.

Research Proposal: Students will select a topic on human psychology and prepare a doable\realistic research proposal. The proposal must include: a thorough (8-10 year) literature review, methods section, reference list, and appropriate appendices. A minimum of 15-20 journal articles must be appropriately cited in the literature review.

In writing the final proposal, three (3) drafts will be prepared. Due dates are listed in the course outline. APA style must be followed in writing all drafts. When grading, after 5 APA errors are found, editing will cease and a grade of zero will be given for that draft. Additionally, for all submissions, the references cited within the text of the paper must be highlighted and the matching citations checked-off in the reference list. Failure to complete this check of sources will result in a 10 point deduction per submission. Late draft submissions will not be graded. It is strongly recommended that students visit the writing tutors at CASA.

Each draft is worth 50 points. The final proposal will be submitted by the last class meeting and is worth 100 points. The attached appendices are worth 50 points. Total points = 300.

Proposal Notebook: Along with the final draft, a notebook must be submitted that includes: the student’s name, a table of contents, the final proposal, the 3 graded proposal drafts, copies of all cited journal articles - alphabetically ordered and with information cited highlighted, & copies of materials used in the oral presentation (overheads, handouts). Tabs marking the various sections of the notebook are recommended. Grading will be based on completeness and organization of materials. Due the last day of class on May 7^th. Total points = 25.

Oral Presentation: Each student will present to the class his/her research proposal. Presentations will be 12 minutes in length and must be conducted in a professional manner. The presentation must include: a brief overview of pertinent literature, method used to investigate the topic, potential problems/concerns, and implications of the findings. Students are expected to prepare appropriate visual aids fitting to their planned procedures. Handouts and illustrations will be provided by the instructor. The instructor will randomly assign the order of presentations. Approximately 4 students per class will present. Make-up dates will not be available. Presentations will be graded by the instructors (50 points) and by the class (class average - 50 points). Total points = 100.

Oral Evaluations: Students will evaluate the research proposals of their classmates. This information may be useful to students as they prepare the section on potential problems and plan their research for 42.450 Experimental Psychology. Students must rate the overall performance of each presenter, as well as provide at least one positive and one negative criticism of the proposed study. Failure to complete an evaluation or submission of an incomplete evaluation form will result in a loss of 5 points per presentation. Forms will be provided. Total points = -150.

Note: Given time limits of the semester and grading turn-around time, due dates for drafts are separated by only a few weeks. Start your searches ASAP! Early submissions are always welcome. Drafts turned in early will be edited and returned first. Late submissions will not be accepted.

SPSS Assignment Dates & Point Values

	Value	*Requirement*
Assignment 1	15	Typed list of suggested deletions, additions, rearrangments, modifications ... of directions, items, scales, & format.
Assignment 2	15	Types copy of letter of informed consent reflecting class study issues.
Assignment 3	25	Soliciting of adult participants appropriate to the class-specified demographic traits.
Assignment 4	15	Typed sections of code book as assigned in class.
Assignment 5	50	Data appropriately entered onto coding sheets & checked; 20% double-checked by classmate.
Assignment 6	50	Data entered and saved on diskette using SPSS. Min/Max checking completed in class.
Assignment 7	15	Label all variables and values, matching codebook exactly.
Assignment 8	15	Recode necessary values & then compute required scale & subscale scores. Compute additional scores as interested.
Assignment 9	35	Select 10 variables. These are the only variables you may use in Assignments 10-14. Five must be continuous measures (interval or ratio) & 5 categorical measures (nominal or ordinal). The continuous variables must be normally distributed. The categorical variables must pre-exist as or allow for creation of 2 or 3 level variables/IVs that are approximately equal in size (n).These may also be created by recoding non-normal continuous variables. Do not recode normally distributed measures! At least one categorical variable must have 3 levels.
Assignment 10	35	3 t-tests: appropriate write ups & print-outs
Assignment 11	35	3 one-way ANOVAs: appropriate write ups & print-outs
Assignment 12	35	A 2X2 & a 3 X 2 ANOVA: appropriate write ups & print-outs
Assignment 13	35	2 correlations: appropriate write ups & print-outs
Assignment 14	35	A 2X2 & a 3 X 2 Chi Square: appropriate write ups & print-out

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	SPSS Survival Guide - J. Pallant
	Research Methods texts from RMI!!
	American Psychological Association (1983). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (2nd ed.). Washington D.C.:Author.
	FSC Journal of Behavioral Sciences (any volumes)

Jan. 27	First class	Review of requirements & of Research Methods I final. Introduction to class study = Assignment 1.
Feb. 3	Proposal topics	All topics due & must be cleared with instructor.
Feb 26	Draft 1	Full literature review & hypotheses - due.
Mar 26	Draft 2	Revised literature review, method section & beginning of appendices (demographics & consent) are due.
April 23	Draft 3	Revised literature review & methods and full appendices are due.
April 30	SPSS Orals	All SPSS assignments & notebook due. Oral Presentations begin.
May 5-14	Orals	Orals continue.
May 9		Final proposal & notebook due. Final Exam - as needed.