Course Description
This course will focus on the fundamental principles of behavioral science research. There will be an overview of the conceptual need for research and an analysis of the methods or designs commonly employed, as well as the procedures utilized to collect and analyze data. Students will review and design research in their areas of interest. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- MAT 105: Statistics
- PSY 101: Psychology or SOC 101: Sociology
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Develop and refine a research topic that you are interested in.
- Conduct a literature search on the Internet and locate and retrieve Psychological articles that are associated with your research topic.
- Write an introduction for a manuscript based on a review the articles they retrieved.
- Become familiar with writing in APA style and will write an APA style manuscript, including title page, abstract page, introduction, conclusion and reference page.
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
Assignments | Weight |
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 15% |
Research Paper Assignments (Weeks 2, 3 & 5) | 35% |
Chapter Questions (Weeks 1-6) | 20% |
Research Paper (Week 8) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Gravetter, Frederick and Lori Ann Forzano. Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. 6th ed. Wadworth, Inc., 2019. ISBN-13: 9781337613316
Optional Text
- American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. American Psychological Association, 2010. ISBN-13: 9781433805615
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2 | Topics: Acquiring Knowledge and The Scientific Method & Research Ideas
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2 | 2,4 | Topics: Defining and Measuring Variables & Ethics in Research
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3 | 1,2 | Topics: Selecting Research Participants & Research Strategies and Validity
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4 | 1,2 | Topics: The Experimental Research Strategy & Experimental Designs: Between-Subjects Design & Experimental Designs: Within-Subjects Designs
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5 | 1,2,3 | Topics: Nonexperimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies & Factorial Designs
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6 | 1,2 | Topics: Correlational Research Strategy & Descriptive Research Strategy
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7 | 1-4 | Topic: Research Week
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8 | 1-4 | Topics: Conclusion and Summary
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.