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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 210-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Research Methods"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Angelo Brandelli Costa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PS 101 with a grade of C- or above
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is designed to improve students’ skills both as consumers and producers of science. Thus, a major goal of the course is to enhance students’ ability to read, interpret, and evaluate scientific evidence presented in academic journals, as well as evidence communicated through popular press and other media outlets. Another major goal is to develop students’ ability to produce original research. The course includes a laboratory component where students will learn to search for and locate relevant literature, formulate testable hypothesis, identify and implement the appropriate research design, and effectively communicate research findings.
Sample topics include: the role of scientific inquiry in psychology, ethics in research with human participants, reliability and validity, essential elements of research designs, writing a research report
Minimum passing grade for students enrolled for the BA in Psychological science: C-
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course explores the foundations of scientific research in psychology. Key topics include: the role of scientific inquiry in psychological research; ethical considerations in human subject research; measurement; essential elements of research design and sampling; critical reading and evaluation of empirical literature; and the basics of APA style. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will develop a strong understanding of the research process and its application to psychological inquiry.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Understand advantages and disadvantage of different research methods used by psychologists. Define and explain key research concepts.
2. Identify individual and socio-cultural factors that can influence the generalizability of research findings.
3. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.
4. Demonstrate effective writing and presentation skills including communication of quantitative data. Write using APA style.
5. Be familiar with key regulation for protection of human research participants and apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Research Methods in Psychology | Glynis M. Breakwell, Daniel B. Wright, Julie Barnett | Sage Pubns Ltd | 1526488914 | | | | | |
| Research methods in psychology | John J. Shaughnessy, Eugene B. Zechmeister, Jeanne S. Zechmeister | McGraw-Hill Education | 1259252965 | | | | | |
| Methods in Behavioral Research | Paul C. Cozby, Scott Bates | McGraw-Hill College | 1260205584 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Assignments | These will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts in research methodology and their applications (goal 1 and 2). Assignments (1, 2 and 3 - Midterm) will consist of some multiple choice as well as short answer questions. A Final Exam (Assignment 3) will also be available to improve on a previous exam. Exams will be mostly non-cumulative although concepts from earlier sections may be included. | 80 |
| Writings | These assignments will allow students to apply the concepts learned in class to interpret, evaluate, and summarize primary sources. | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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1
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Introduction to PS 210 |
| Defining Science, Truth, Method, Knowledge, Research, Validity, Data, Reliability |
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2
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What does psychology research? |
| Ethics and integrity in research |
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3
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Scientific communication |
| Scientific communication / Finding sources |
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4
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How to classify research in Psychology based on objectives
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5
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How to classify research in Psychology based on technical procedures
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6
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How to classify research in Psychology based on the form of analysis
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| Assignment 1 |
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7
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Review for midterm |
| Midterm |
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8
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Community-Based Participatory Research |
| Assignment 2 |
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9
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Quasi-experimental designs (including observational methdos)
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10
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Experimental designs
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11
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Interviewing and focus groups
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12
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Questionnaire design, variables and descriptive statistics 101
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13
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Sampling and inferential statistics |
| Content analysis, Thematic Analysis and Discourse Analysis |
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14
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Review for the final |
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15
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Final Examinations
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