This course is designed to give students an introduction into scientific methodology and scientific report writing as applied to major problem areas in behavioral research.
Course Objectives:
- Reflect on the function and purpose of the scientific method and psychological research
- Recognize the inherent strengths and problems associated with experimental, non-experimental and quasi-experimental designs
- Develop an empirically testable hypothesis and critically evaluate the validity of other experiments
- Describe ways to measure variables, issues in the measurement of variables, sources of extraneous variability, ways to control extraneous variability
- Consider the ethical issues related to the conduct of research
- Develop outlines and write drafts for a research proposal in APA format
- Critically examine and consider research-related information in the media