Laboratory in Social Psychology

PSY U 614: Laboratory in Social Psychology, Fall 2004
Dr. Judith A. Hall
Tuesday & Friday, 11:45-1:25

The goals of this course are:

to help you learn to think about research in an analytical and critical manner
to teach you how to read primary research publications
to acquaint you with how research on human social behavior is done
to convey the principles of experimental design
to give you an opportunity to design, conduct, and analyze studies
to teach you how to write a clear and accurate lab report in APA style.

Since the goal is to learn about doing research, there is no substitute for experience. Therefore, about half the classes will be devoted to lecture and about half to group discussion, exercises, conferences, and presentations concerning articles you read and your research projects. It is also important to note that not every important point can be covered in class, and therefore it is your responsibility to keep up with the readings. You are urged to visit the TA and/or professor regularly for review and special advice on your research projects and lab reports.

The required book is Stangor, C. (2004). Research methods for the behavioral sciences, 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. There will also be a packet of readings at Gnomon Copy.

Prerequisites are PSY 1271 (Social Psychology) and PSY 1212 (Statistics II), or their semester equivalents (PSY U 402 and PSY U 320).

Course requirements are: 3 lab reports, 1 midterm exam, 3 presentations (1 on an article, 2 on your research), and participation (see below).

Grading will be as follows:

3 lab reports (4-7 pp.). The first two each count 20% of the final grade, and the third one counts 25% (total = 65%)
Midterm exam, worth 20% of final grade.
Participation (in class contributions, attendance, citizenship on research teams, quality of presentations, data collected properly, data/lab reports turned in on time) (15%)

Academic Honesty
You will receive a course grade of F if you plagiarize or cheat on any assignments. If you have any confusion about the "line" that separates plagiarizing/cheating from honest conduct, you should ask the instructor. You must observe the instructor¹s rules about when collaboration with a team member is allowed and when it is not.

Contact Information and Office Hours
Dr. Hall¹s office is 225 NI, 373-3790, hall1@neu.edu. Her office hour is Monday, 10-11, or by appointment. The teaching assistant is Greg Willard, 243 NI, 373-3079, willard.g@neu.edu. His office hours will be announced, and also an appointment can be made with him.

Class Date	Reading	Research Schedule/Class Activity

Fri 9/10		Introduction: The nature of research in social psychology
Tues 9/14	Hinsz	Plan Study 1; the logic of experimentation
Fri 9/17	Chap 1 & 2	Get team assignments for Study 1; collect Study 1 data
Tues 9/21	Jordan, Gosling	The logic of experimentation; discuss articles
Fri 9/24	Saenz, Chap 9	Bring Study 1 data to class; discuss article; plan Study 1's analysis
Tues 9/28	Weigel, Chap 10	Discuss article; the logic of experimentation
Fri 10/1	Appendix A	Writing a lab report
Tues 10/5	Chap 11 & 12	Study 1 paper due; reliability and validity
Fri 10/8	Chartrand	Bring ideas for Study 2 to class (DON¹T FORGET!); plan Study 2; discuss article
Tues 10/12	Harkins	Plan Study 2; discuss article
Fri 10/15	Ch. 4 and 5	Get team assignments for Study 2; collect Study 1 data
Tues 10/19	Johnson	Bring Study 2 data to class; plan Study 2's analysis; discuss article
Fri 10/22		Review for Midterm
Tues 10/26	Midterm exam
Fri 10/29		Study 2 paper due
Tues 11/2	Petty	Discuss article; discuss exam; teams meet to discuss Study 3 ideas
Fri 11/5	Han	Teams meet to discuss Study 3 ideas; discuss article
Tues 11/9	Ch. 7	Observational research
Fri 11/12		Teams present ideas to class: Group 1
Tues 11/16		Teams present ideas to class: Group 2
Fri 11/19		Teams meet to work on Study 3
Tues 11/23	Anderson	Study 3 data analysis consultation day; discuss article
Fri 11/26	HOLIDAY
Tues 11/30	Chap 3	Ethics
Fri 12/3		Final Study 3 presentations and paper due for Group 1
Tues 12/7		Final Study 3 presentations and paper due for Group 2

NOTE: Read Appendix C and Chapter 7 as needed for doing your statistics

Article Presentations/Discussion
Every student will participate in the presentation of one of the assigned research articles. A student can sign up for more than one presentation, as an Extra Credit option. For each article, several students will divide up the sections of the article for presentation. THE ENTIRE CLASS IS REQUIRED TO READ EACH ARTICLE, NOT JUST THE PRESENTERS. OTHERWISE WE CANNOT HAVE A DISCUSSION.

Team Presentations
For Study 3, each team (consisting of 2 people) will make TWO presentations. The first is an informal one in which you present to the class your ideas for your study before you do it; this is a working presentation in that the class (and the instructors) will give feedback and there will be discussion of your ideas. The second presentation is the formal, final presentation of Study 3. This should be well prepared and rehearsed and should fit in the time allotment that Dr. Hall will announce. Team members may decide between themselves how to divide up their participation in the presentations, but it is required that both members participate.

Midterm Examination
The midterm exam will cover the textbook readings and associated class lecture material up to that point. You will not be tested on the assigned articles.