Research Practicum: PSY 2503

Spring 2008

Course Description and Goals:

This course is not a lecture course. The class will consist of regular meetings with the instructor and research team as well as hands-on work outside of group meetings to complete team research projects. Through this hands-on approach, this course will provide you with an overview of the experimental research process as well as introduce you to specific research techniques in the field of psychology.

Your goals are to (a) gain a broad understanding of how research is conducted in psychology as well as (b) gain experience in specific aspects of research such as conducting background research, developing surveys, working with participants, designing research, setting up databases, analyzing results, interpreting results, and writing in the scientific style.

In addition, this course will provide you many opportunities to develop the following skills that employees and graduate schools most often seek.

a. oral communication skills

b. teamwork skills

c. interpersonal skills

d. leadership skills

e. adaptability

f. reading skills (e.g., extracting important ideas; applying information)

g. analytical skills

h. hands-on experience

i. self-management skills (e.g., taking responsibility for your goals and actions; motivating yourself; taking appropriate steps to achieve your personal and career goals)

j. research skills

I’m WARNING you:

I’m warning you that this class REQUIRES that you show initiative and motivation to get your time in and accomplish your goals. Excuses such as “I was just a sophomore,” “I didn’t have any experience with research,” “I didn’t know what to do,” or “I wasn’t sure how to do the work” are absolutely positively not acceptable. If at any time, beginning with day one, you are unsure of how to do something or you can’t seem to figure out how to put in your 2 to 3 hours of work each week, it is your responsibility to ask for help.

Work Log:

You will record your work in the Work Log, found in the Psych Lab. You should make entries in the Work Log each week. While I will be able to see the products of your work each week, this is simply an additional method for you to confirm your work. Students are expected to put in approximately 30 hours of work on projects outside of class. This averages out to 2 to 3 hours of work outside of class each week.

Self-Evaluations:

You should complete a Self-Evaluation form and turn it in on the following dates:

Friday, 2/15

Friday, March 7

Friday, April 4

Monday, April 28

Self-Evaluation Forms can be found in the Research Practicum Binder in the Lab.

Grades:

You will receive four progress reports throughout the semester. Each report will evaluate, using a 0 to 5 point scale, your performance on the following six criteria.

1. being present, as well as on time, for all class meetings and associated activities, such as outside meetings for

data collection or writing

2. contributing to class discussions and ideas EVERY day (Note that this does not say MOST days. It says

EVERY day.)

completing ALL work on time, as specified, and with high quality
being prepared for class EVERY day, whether with assignments ready to present and discuss or with thoughts relevant to our project(s).

5. showing initiative in completing work as well as in starting and keeping projects going (This one is hard. You

have to really take an active role looking outside of class assignments to make this happen.)

6. providing the appropriate amount of work time (i.e., an average of 2-3 hours outside of class each week)

Your final grade will be determined by averaging ratings on all criteria on each of the four progress reports. Your final grade will be based on the following scale.

> 89.5 = A 79.5-89.4 = B 69.5-79.4 = C 59.5-69.4 = D < 59.5 = F

Ethical Considerations:

An incident of academic dishonesty (e.g., falsifying the Work Log, claiming someone else’s work as your own) will result in your final grade being dropped by one letter grade, and the Academic Dean will be notified. A second incidence of academic dishonesty will result in failure in this course as well as notification to the Academic Dean.

All psychological research must conform to strict ethical principles as outlined by the American Psychological Association. While working in this research group, you will conduct all aspects of our research in an ethical manner. A violation of ethical standards will result in failure in this course, and the Academic Dean will be notified.

One ethical guideline that deserves special mention is that of confidentiality. Any data collected in this group is protected information. Neither names of participants nor information pertaining participants should be revealed.

Cell Phones:

Turn OFF all cell phones during class. If you have a sick family member or children who use your number in emergencies, please let me know. Then, you may leave your phone on vibrate or silent.

Assistance:

Any student with a diagnosed learning or physical disability who needs accommodations should discuss this with the instructor within the first week of class.

FREE tutoring is available to any student. At any time during the semester if you feel that a tutor could be of help to you, please contact the Learning Enrichment Center, which is located on the top floor of Hyde Hall, or ask the instructor who will help you make arrangements.

Self Evaluation: Due ______________

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Please rate yourself on each criterion listed in the table below. Use the descriptions of the point values below to help you assess your performance.

Point Values:

· 5 points = Excellent: showing effort and work quality at the peak, with little room for improvement

· 4 points = Above Average: showing effort and work quality that is above the average, but performing

slightly less than peak

· 3 points = Average: giving effort and producing work quality at the average (average means that

performance is in about the middle of the group)

· 2 points = Below Average: showing effort and work quality below average (as average is defined above)

· 1 points = Little Effort: showing very little effort to accomplish the criteria and/or producing work of

inferior quality

· 0 points = No Effort: showing no effort toward the criteria

CRITERION	Excellent (5 pts)	Above Average (4 pts)	Average (3 pts)	Below Average (2 pts)	Little Effort (1 pts)	No Effort (0 pts)
being present, as well as on time, for all class meetings and associated activities, such as outside meetings for data collection or writing
contributing to class discussions and ideas EVERY day (Note that this does not say MOST days. It says EVERY day)
completing ALL work on time, as specified, and with high quality
being prepared for class EVERY day, whether with assignments ready to present and discuss or with thoughts relevant to our project(s).
showing initiative in completing work as well as in starting and keeping projects going (This one is hard. You have to really take an active role looking outside of class assignments to make this happen.)
providing the appropriate amount of work time (i.e., an average of 2 to 3 hours outside of class each week)

Use the space below (or an additional sheet) to discuss your work in the areas described above. Also, discuss your impressions of others in the group in regard to the areas listed above.

Self Evaluation: Due ______________

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Please rate yourself on each criterion listed in the table below. Use the descriptions of the point values below to help you assess your performance.

Point Values:

· 5 points = Excellent: showing effort and work quality at the peak, with little room for improvement

· 4 points = Above Average: showing effort and work quality that is above the average, but performing

slightly less than peak

· 3 points = Average: giving effort and producing work quality at the average (average means that

performance is in about the middle of the group)

· 2 points = Below Average: showing effort and work quality below average (as average is defined above)

· 1 points = Little Effort: showing very little effort to accomplish the criteria and/or producing work of

inferior quality

· 0 points = No Effort: showing no effort toward the criteria

CRITERION	Excellent (5 pts)	Above Average (4 pts)	Average (3 pts)	Below Average (2 pts)	Little Effort (1 pts)	No Effort (0 pts)
being present, as well as on time, for all class meetings and associated activities, such as outside meetings for data collection or writing
contributing to class discussions and ideas EVERY day (Note that this does not say MOST days. It says EVERY day)
completing ALL work on time, as specified, and with high quality
being prepared for class EVERY day, whether with assignments ready to present and discuss or with thoughts relevant to our project(s).
showing initiative in completing work as well as in starting and keeping projects going (This one is hard. You have to really take an active role looking outside of class assignments to make this happen.)
providing the appropriate amount of work time (i.e., an average of 2 to 3 hours outside of class each week)

Use the space below (or an additional sheet) to discuss your work in the areas described above. Also, discuss your impressions of others in the group in regard to the areas listed above.

Self Evaluation: Due ______________

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Please rate yourself on each criterion listed in the table below. Use the descriptions of the point values below to help you assess your performance.

Point Values:

· 5 points = Excellent: showing effort and work quality at the peak, with little room for improvement

· 4 points = Above Average: showing effort and work quality that is above the average, but performing

slightly less than peak

· 3 points = Average: giving effort and producing work quality at the average (average means that

performance is in about the middle of the group)

· 2 points = Below Average: showing effort and work quality below average (as average is defined above)

· 1 points = Little Effort: showing very little effort to accomplish the criteria and/or producing work of

inferior quality

· 0 points = No Effort: showing no effort toward the criteria

CRITERION	Excellent (5 pts)	Above Average (4 pts)	Average (3 pts)	Below Average (2 pts)	Little Effort (1 pts)	No Effort (0 pts)
being present, as well as on time, for all class meetings and associated activities, such as outside meetings for data collection or writing
contributing to class discussions and ideas EVERY day (Note that this does not say MOST days. It says EVERY day)
completing ALL work on time, as specified, and with high quality
being prepared for class EVERY day, whether with assignments ready to present and discuss or with thoughts relevant to our project(s).
showing initiative in completing work as well as in starting and keeping projects going (This one is hard. You have to really take an active role looking outside of class assignments to make this happen.)
providing the appropriate amount of work time (i.e., an average of 2 to 3 hours outside of class each week)

Use the space below (or an additional sheet) to discuss your work in the areas described above. Also, discuss your impressions of others in the group in regard to the areas listed above.

Self Evaluation: Due ______________

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Please rate yourself on each criterion listed in the table below. Use the descriptions of the point values below to help you assess your performance.

Point Values:

· 5 points = Excellent: showing effort and work quality at the peak, with little room for improvement

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