PSYC 2650 - Research Methods

4.5 Credits

This is an introductory course in research methods and design. The course is comprehensive. Students examine the entire research process including formulating research questions, sampling, measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, and quantitative), research design (experimental and quasi-experimental), data analysis, and research writing. It also addresses the major theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research including the idea of validity in research, reliability of measures, and ethics. The course materials and text use an informal, conversational style to engage both the beginning and the more experienced students of research methods in several areas of study (e.g., psychology, business, nursing, social work, political science, and education).

Lecture Hours: 4.5
Lab Hours: 0.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives
1. Develop an understanding of the role and importance of research and the research process
2. Develop skills at selecting a research problem and reviewing the existing research.
3. Introduce and engender a basic understanding of the following as they relate to the practice of conducting research:

sampling and generalizability
measurement, reliability, and validity
methods of measurement
data collection
descriptive statistics and inferential
nonexperimental research methods: descriptive, historical and correlational methods
nonexperimental research methods: qualitative methods
pre- and true experimental research methods
quasi-experimental research methods

4. Introduce, and begin the put into practice, the skills necessary for writing research proposals and manuscripts.

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