MCCCD Program Description

Research Methods

Course: PSY290AC

First Term: 2018 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T Lab Load

Description: Planning, execution, analysis, and written reporting of psychological research using American Psychological Association guidelines (APA). Surveys the literature, procedures, and instruments in representative areas of psychological research.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. List the basic assumptions of science. (I) 2. Develop an operationally defined hypothesis. (II) 3. Identify and classify research methods (observational, correlational, experimental, or quasi-experimental). (III) 4. Identify independent and dependent variables. (IIIE) 5. Identify confounding variables (sources of secondary variance). (IIIE) 6. Design and analyze a basic research project and communicate the study`s results in a scientific report which follows American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. (IV) 7. Read and summarize a basic scientific report. (V) 8. Critically analyze scientific reports and suggest rival hypotheses (explanation). (V) 9. Recognize ethical concerns associated with research. (VI) 10. Recognize that citizens are continuously consumers of scientific information. (I-VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Scientific Method A. Basic Assumptions of Science B. Theoretical vs. Applied Science C. Scope of Science D. Limits of Science II. Formulation of the Hypothesis A. Operational Definitions B. Inductive and Deductive Models C. Organization of Hypotheses--Theories III. Methods of Research A. Observational Studies 1. Natural Environment a. Obtrusive b. Unobtrusive 2. Contrived Environmental Studies--Simulations B. Surveys C. Case Studies D. Correlational Studies 1. Concepts of Correlation 2. Necessities of Causation E. The Experiment 1. Independent Variables 2. Dependent Variables 3. Control Variables 4. Sampling 5. Extraneous Variables (Confounding Variables) a. Subject Bias b. Observer/Experimenter Bias c. Controlling Extraneous Variables IV. Research Designs A. Between Subjects (Independent Samples) Designs B. Within Subjects Designs 1. Repeated Measures 2. Matched Subjects C. Factorial Designs D. Single Subject (N = 1) Designs E. Quasi-Experimental Designs V. Writing Research Reports A. Locating Journals/Resources in the Library B. Reading and Summarizing Scientific Articles C. Literature Review of Topic or Researcher D. Writing in a Scientific Style using APA guidelines E. Major Sections of a Report F. Evaluating Journal or Scientific Material VI. Research Ethics

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/26/2009

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.