Introduces experimental design in psychology, data analysis and interpretation of results, and literature reports.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and explain the general process of research in psychology by defining the scientific method, distinguishing between a hypothesis and a research question, identifying the limitations and strengths of the major categories of research design, explaining the rationale for random sampling, and so forth.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and scientific reasoning by testing claims using appropriate psychological research methods.
- Evaluate the quality of evidence in published psychological research.
- Practice doing research in psychology by formulating hypotheses, collecting small data, analyzing data, and communicating results.
- Apply APA guidelines for writing style and formatting to their own academic writing.
- Distinguish science from pseudoscience by identifying the norms and characteristics of each.