Introduction to Research in Psychology (PSCH 242)

Course Schedule


Date  Topic  Assignment

Week 1: M Jan. 8  Course Introduction
W Jan. 10  Scientific Method  Chapter 1
F Jan. 12

 Scientific Method

Week 2: M Jan. 15  Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. No classes.
W Jan. 17  Research Ethics  Chapter 2 (pp. 42-71), Belmont Report
F Jan. 19 

Research Ethics
(Last Day to add/drop classes)

Week 3: M Jan. 22 Observational Research Chapter 3
W Jan. 24  In-class Observational Research Project   Choose topic and Design study

F Jan. 26

  In-class Observational Research Project  

Collect observational data

Week 4: M Jan. 29 Survey Research: Sampling and Survey Designs 
W Jan. 31 Survey Research: Sampling and Survey Designs 
Guest Lecture
: Jennifer Parsons, Assistant Director, UIC Survey Research Laboratory
F Feb. 2

 Survey Research: Wrap-up

Chapter 4

Week 5: M Feb. 5 In-Class Test #1
W Feb. 7  The Basics of Experimental Research  Chapter 6 (pp. 209-238)
F Feb. 9 Between Groups Designs: Random Groups  Observational Report Due

Week 6: M Feb. 12 Between Groups Designs: Matched and Natural Groups
W Feb. 14 In-class Experiment
Data Analysis: Null Hypothesis testing 
Chapter 6 (pp. 238-250)
F Feb. 16

Data Analysis: Statistical Significance and Limits of  Null Hypothesis Testing

Last day to bring extra credit articles

Week 7: M Feb. 19 Data Analysis: Analysis of Variance
Analysis of In-class Experiment
Chapter 6 (pp. 250-256)
W Feb. 21 Writing APA Style Reports   NOTE: Appendix C is not assigned reading, but you will want to use it as you write your papers.
F Feb. 23  Being Critical, Informed Consumers of Research

Week 8: M Feb. 26  Repeated Measures Designs Chapter 7 (pp. 267-289)
Last day for Rough Drafts of APA Paper
W Feb. 28 Repeated Measures Designs
F Mar. 2 Repeated Measures Designs

Week 9: M Mar. 5 

Exam Review

W Mar. 7 In-Class Test #2
Return rough drafts
F Mar. 9 Introduce Complex Designs

 

March 12-16: Spring Vacation

Week 10: M Mar. 19 Complex Designs  Chapter 8 (pp. 299-311)
W Mar. 21 Complex Designs: Interactions & Main Effects
F Mar. 23  Complex Designs: Analysis of Complex Designs Chapter 8 (pp. 312-320)
In-class Experiment Paper Due

Week 11: M Mar. 26 Complex Designs: Interpreting Interactions Chapter 8 (pp. 320-330)
W Mar. 28 Complex Designs: Mixed Designs
F Mar. 30  Complex Designs: Wrap-up

Week 12: M Apr. 2  Describe Poster Presentations
Begin Case Studies and N = 1 Designs
 Chapter 9
W Apr. 4 Case Studies and N = 1 Designs
F Apr. 6  Lab Experiments vs. Experiments in Natural Settings Chapter 10 (pp. 369-376; 380-383)
Poster Presentation Topic Due

Week 13: M Apr. 9  Quasi-experimental Designs Chapter 10 (pp. 383-400)
W Apr. 11 Quasi-experimental Designs
F Apr. 13 Being Critical, Informed Consumers of Research

Week 14: M Apr. 16 Exam Review
W Apr. 18 In-class Test #3
F Apr. 20 Work on Poster Presentations in Class

Week 15: M Apr. 23 Work on Poster Presentations in Class
W Apr. 25  Work on Poster Presentations in Class 
Class Evaluations
F Apr. 27 Research Proposal Poster Session

 Final: Thursday, May 5 at 10:30-12:30

Note: Conflicts between final exam times for 2 UIC courses, will be dealt with as stated in the Spring 2001 Timetable.

 

This schedule is subject to change as the semester progresses.
If major changes are needed, students will be notified in class.

 

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