PSY 410: Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

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:

  1. Develop and refine a research topic that you are interested in.
  2. Conduct a literature search on the Internet and locate and retrieve Psychological articles that are associated with your research topic.
  3. Write an introduction for a manuscript based on a review the articles they retrieved.
  4. Become familiar with writing in APA style and will write an APA style manuscript, including title page, abstract page, introduction, conclusion and reference page.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

15%

Research Paper Assignments (Weeks 2, 3, 5 & 7)

35%

Chapter Questions (Weeks 1-6)

20%

Research Paper (Week 8)

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 7th ed. American Psychological Association, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1-4338-3216-1
  • Gravetter, Frederick and Lori Ann Forzano. Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. 6th ed. Cengage Learning. 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1-337-61331-6

 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

Topics: Acquiring Knowledge and The Scientific Method; Research Ideas

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 1 & 2
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 1 and 2 Questions

2

2,4

Topics: Defining and Measuring Variables; Ethics in Research

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 3 & 4
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 3 and 4 Questions
  • Submit the Week 2 Assignment: Research Paper Topic Proposal

3

1,2

Topics: Selecting Research Participants; Research Strategies and Validity

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 5 & 6
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 5 and 6 Questions
  • Submit the Week 3 Assignment: Title Page for Research Paper

4

1,2

Topics: Experimental Research Strategy; Experimental Designs: Between-Subjects Design & Within-Subjects Designs

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 7, 8 & 9
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 7, 8, and 9 Questions

5

1,2,3

Topics: Non-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies; Factorial Designs

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 10 & 11
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 10 and 11 Questions 
  • Submit the Week 5 Assignment: Reference Page

6

1,2

Topics: Correlational Research Strategy; Descriptive Research Strategy

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 12 & 13
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Chapter 12 and 13 Questions

7

1-4

Topic: Research

  • Readings:
    • No required reading
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Continue work on the Research Paper
  • Submit the Week 7 Assignment: Research Paper - Submit to SafeAssign

8

1-4

Topics: Conclusions

  • Readings:
    • No required reading
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit the Week 8 Assignment: Final Research Paper
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

06232025

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.