Research Methods in Psychology

As step one of the major learning outcome ladder was described as being able to demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends.  If a student successfully completes this major outcome they then would know how to apply psychology concepts, language and theories as well as be able to explain major perspectives and demonstrate understanding of its breadth and depth.  After successfully completing this major learning outcome by taking both introduction to psychology (PSY100) and introduction to research methods and data analysis (PSY200/200L) students are then able to take courses to complete the second major learning outcome.

The second step to the major learning outcome ladder is titled research methods in psychology.  This major learning outcome is described by the department as being able to understand and apply basic research methods, including research design, data analysis and interpretation.  Outcomes of this major learning outcome include being able to differentiate research methods, evaluating aptness of research conclusions, designing and conducting basic studies and generalizing research conclusion appropriately.  There are two courses that are required for this major learning outcome.  There are two course options for the first requirement, which include either advanced psychological statistics (PSY301/301L) or psychological testing and measurement (PSY305/305L).  The second requirement is psychological research methods and data analysis (PSY302/302L).

During the spring of 2011 I enrolled in PSY301 lecture and lab and later in the fall of 2012 I enrolled in PSY302 lecture and lab.  First off, advanced psychological statistics also known as PSY301 is where students learn traditional, scientific strategies for the statistics evaluation of psychological laboratory experimental designs and methodology primarily using human subjects.  We completed this portion by conducting research experiments and used fellow students to collect data so that we could analyze and use SPSS to make an analysis including t-test, analysis of variance, and regression.  This course is supposed to prepare students to use current technology like using SPSS software for analysis rather than doing the analysis by hand.  Students also learn how to use nonparametric statistics as well as quasi-experimental designs.  While in lecture we learned about how to conduct research experiments, how to use SPSS, learned different psychological statistical terms, learned how to do t-test, analysis of variance, z-score, etc. by hand as well as solve it by using the SPSS software.  During the lab part of this course we focused on using SPSS to analyze data and to create graphs to analyze our data.  We also learned how to write up summaries about the data we were able to conclude and how to report it correctly.  Overall this class was an important step of this major learning outcome and without this class students would have a hard time being successful in PSY302, which was the second required course for this major learning outcome.

As stated above PSY302 is research methods in psychology and data analysis.  This class is said to be one of the main cornerstone courses for psychology majors because it emphasizes the science of studying human behavior and mental processes.  While taking this course students learn traditional, scientific strategies for the statistics evaluation of laboratory experimental designs and methodology used in psychology.  If students successfully complete this course they will be able to construct and evaluate strengths and limitations of experimental paradigms, including quasi-experimental designs.  It is required for each student in this course to write an American Psychological Association (APA) style research proposal.  There is a link to a research proposal that I wrote during this class on wordpress.com.  I came up with an APA research proposal as well as research question.  My research question was: can social media be used as an academic source in a four-year college course.  After successfully completing this course students are then able to move onto the next step of the ladder, which would be to take courses that fulfill the third major learning outcome.