Therefore, research investigations about behavior must be thoroughly planned, organized, and controlled attempts at problem solving. This kind of problem solving requires the use of common sense, logic, analytical reasoning, and, eventually, the logic of numbers, or statistics. So, this course is basically about some typically used methods of applying logical, analytical reasoning to problem solving efforts. This course is an introduction to research in the behavioral sciences. Historical, developmental, observational, descriptive, correlational, and experimental research techniques are introduced and evaluated.
Students plan and conduct research projects.
Through the study of contemporary psychological research, the students acquire evaluative principles which will enable them to be intelligent research consumers. By applying what they learn in class lectures in laboratory exercises, students should acquire an appreciation of the scientific method of investigation. Attendance at class meetings is required and attendance records will be kept. If you are absent when we have a test, you will receive a zero unless you have a medical excuse signed by your physician. There is no extra credit in this course.