Research Design & Statistical Measurement II – Spring 2008
PSYC 6037.01& 02
SOCI 6037.02& 02

1) Administrative Information

Class

PSYC/SOCI Section 01: Monday from 1 - 4 Delta Building room 204
PSYC/SOCI Section 02: Thursday from 7 - 10 Delta Building room 204

Instructor

S. Camille Peres, Ph. D.
Office: B-2617.09
Phone: 281-283-3412
Email: PeresSC@uhcl.edu
Office Hours: Monday 9a - 12p, Thursday 4p - 7p, or by appointment
(this can be face to face, by phone, or instant messaging)

Textbook and Materials (same as those from Fall semester - no new books necessary)

Required
• Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 7th edition by Frederick Gravetter and Larry Wallnau
• Online Statistics: A Multimedia Course of Study http://onlinestatbook.com/
• WebCT for assignments, announcements, and discussions
• How to Use SPSS by Brian C. Cronk (Pyrczak)

Suggested
• Concise Rules of APA Style (APA)

2) Course Objectives

I have designed this course to introduce you to the scientific method and how it is used in Psychology and other Behavioral Sciences (e.g., Sociology). While not all of you are planning to conduct research in the future, a solid understanding of the scientific method will nevertheless prepare you for critically evaluating research in your field of study. For those of you considering or planning on going on to a doctoral program in Psychology or another Behavioral Science, this course will prepare you for conducting scientific research, interpreting the results, and disseminating those results to the scientific community.

Specifically, the goals of this class are for you to:

Research Design
• Establish a comprehensive understanding of the scientific method and research procedures
• Develop an understanding of how research informs your field of study
• Develop your skill in preparing a research proposal

Statistical Measurement
• Develop a basic understanding of statistical measurement for the social sciences
• Develop the ability to calculate statistical measurement for the social sciences
• Develop the ability to interpret statistical measurement for the social sciences

3) Assessment/Evaluation Procedures (All assessment procedures are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes made, however, will be announced in class and posted on the class website)

Assignments for the first semester of the course:

• Project—The major part of your grade for this class (both the Fall and Spring semester) will consist of an evaluation of your work on a research project. You will present the results of the study either as a formal paper (in APA format for submission to journal) or as a poster/presentation at a research conference (e.g., UHCL’s Student Research and Creative Arts conference in the Spring). You can do this project individually or with one or two other students (groups may not be larger that three students). More detail regarding the project will be presented as the semester progresses but it will essentially consists of the development of a original research study including:
     (a) the background literature review (Fall Semester)
     (b) a testable research question or hypothesis (Fall Semester)
     (c) the method to test the question (Fall Semester)
     (d) the results from the statistical analysis of the data collected
     (e) a discussion regarding the impact of the results presented on the literature reviewed.

• Poster Critique—a short critique of a poster (or presentation) made at the UHCL student conference.

• Participation—Completion of practice problems assigned for homework
    - Daily, in-class quizzes
    - Class participation (including discussions, bringing in examples of research in the public press, having questions about the reading assignments, etc.)
    - Web discussions (e.g., relevant questions about the readings and/or homework, links to pages with examples of research, etc.)

• Mid-term/Final Exam—there will be a mid-term and a final in this class. Both will evaluate your understanding of the topics and information presented as well as your ability to apply this knowledge. The final will be cumulative.

Grade Calculations:

•All grading is done on a point system (500 total possible):

•The grades are calculated by adding together the points awarded on each assignment. The final grade will be based on the following point distribution (rounding will occur to the nearest whole number).

If you want to question the score you receive on a particular assignment, you are welcome to do this. However, you must do this within 10 working days of receiving the score. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Written Assignments
•All assignments are to be your own work or, if group assignments, work of the group in which you provide input and participation in completing the assignment.

•Assignments are due as assigned. No late work will be accepted except for severe illness or prior arrangements with the instructor, and then no more than one assignment will be accepted late.

•For all assignments, you are bound by the university honesty code. Failure to follow this code will result in having the grade for that assignment or exam withheld and your name sent to the Dean of Academic Affairs, in your school, for disciplinary action.

1. Preamble and Code
Academic honesty is the cornerstone of the academic integrity of the university. It is the foundation upon which the student builds personal integrity and establishes a standard of personal behavior. The University can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of the highest ethical standards. The University expects and encourages all students to contribute to such an atmosphere by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. This policy is designed to encourage honest behavior and is jointly administered by faculty and students.

2. Honesty Code
The Honesty Code is the university community's standard of honesty and is endorsed by all members of the University of Houston-Clear Lake academic community. It is an essential element of the University's academic credibility. It states: I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.

•If a student misses an exam for any reason, there will be NO MAKE-UP exam. Instead, if a make-up exam is necessary, the grade for the comprehensive exam given at the end of the semester will count as the grade for the first test. The grade for the final exam can be used to replace the grade on the first test if a student desires.

Attendance
•Although attendance will not be taken each day, I strongly encourage you to attend all lectures. It is extremely difficult to keep up with this type of course without attending class. Additionally, class will start on time, so please arrive on time. If, for some reason, you are not able to attend class regularly and punctually, it is recommended that you drop the course.

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•Adjustments to the schedule and assignments will be given during class. It is EACH STUDENT'S responsibility to find out about any such changes and/or assignments given if he or she is absent or late to a regularly scheduled class.
NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDING THIS POLICY!
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•In the event of an absence, it is necessary that you find out what was covered and what announcements were made in the class you missed. You can do this by calling or e-mailing another student to get the assignments and notes missed during your absence. The instructor and IAs will not be able to provide this information to you.

Learning Disabilities
•Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain confidential. Students with disabilities should also contact Disability Services in the Student Services Building.

5) Miscellaneous

Important Dates:

Also see the Outline and Calendar

Home | Syllabus | Outline and Calendar | Notes

email: PeresSC@uhcl.edu