PSYC 2111: Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Students use critical thinking to evaluate a variety of psychological research methodologies, including non-experimental, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs. Students discuss and actively apply key concepts in sound psychological research design, including operational definitions, variables, reliability, validity, and sampling procedures. Students conduct a literature search using peer-reviewed sources and communicate their findings by writing a short introduction to a research report using APA formatting. Students analyze quantitative data through the application of descriptive and correlational statistics and practice the appropriate communication of research results by graphing, interpreting, and discussing psychological data.
Learning outcomes
- Describe and apply the scientific approach in order to learn about human behaviour.
- Actively apply key concepts in sound psychological research design, including operational definitions, variables, reliability, validity, and sampling procedures.
- Apply and communicate the ethical principles that govern research in psychology and demonstrate social responsibility.
- Conduct a literature search using appropriate peer-reviewed sources and communicate their findings by writing a short introduction to a psychological research report using APA formatting.
- Describe and conduct both descriptive and correlational statistics and practice communicating psychological research results by graphing, interpreting, and discussing quantitative data.
- Communicate the strengths and limitations of research designs used in psychological research, including experimental, non-experimental, and quasi-experimental designs.
- Explain the purpose and appropriate application of inferential statistics such as t-tests and ANOVA.
Course topics
- Unit 1: Introduction to Research in Psychology
- Unit 2: Theories and Measurement
- Unit 3: Non-experimental Research Methods
- Unit 4: Experimental Research Methods
- Unit 5: Data Analysis and Reporting
Required text and materials
The following open textbook is required for this course:
- Price, P. C., & Jhangiani, R. (2015). Research methods in psychology (2nd Canadian ed.). Victoria, BC: BCcampus Open Ed.
Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/
This textbook is available to students online for free at https://collection.bccampus.ca/ . Students may also choose to download it in a variety of digital formats, including for desktop computer, tablet, or the most popular e-readers.
Students may choose to purchase a hard copy of the textbook by going to the Print-On-Demand page at https://collection.bccampus.ca/.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To complete this course successfully, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory final exam.
| Assignment 1: Introduction to Research | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Correlational Research | 13% |
| Assignment 3: Research Proposal | 16% |
| Assignment 4: Research Report | 21% |
| Final Exam (mandatory) | 40% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
