In addition, experimental demonstrations will be done in class to highlight the concepts and ideas of behavioral research. The basic goal of the class is to provide students with a sufficient background to understand how behavioral science works and the limits of what it can tell us about ourselves and the world around us. This includes the analysis of a summary of research or claims for a product, program or idea which reveals the underlying assumptions, data, and inferences upon which conclusions are based. Put another way, the course is about how to evaluate information scientifically and understand its implications and limits. The class is a lecture-discussion format.
Material is from the text and lecture.
The accompanying web site has review questions and related materials. There will be four examinations and the course grade will be based on the highest three scores. There are no make-up examinations, so if you miss one examination, your grade will be based on the other three examinations. Each of the first three examinations covers the preceding third of the course. The examinations are multiple choice.