This course requires that the student has successfully completed PSY 201 and PSY 301. I will assume in lecture and on the tests that the student has a fundamental understanding of the language of Psychology. There will be no preassessment of students' abilities. Students learn to critically evaluate published research, to form empirically testable hypotheses, and to design and conduct experiments relevant to these hypotheses.
Considerable emphasis is placed on the writing of research reports with clarity and objectivity.
Finally, students increase their computer literacy through the use of microcomputers. The student will understand, among other things, ethical principles governing the use of both human and non-human subjects, various research methodologies, analyses of different types of data, and certain applications of such concepts. Students will write several research reports based upon laboratory exercises and library research. Students will learn presentation skills by working in small groups on a conference-level poster presentation and accompanying paper. Dishonesty such as cheating or plagiarism, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to loss of credit and possible dismissal.