PSY 3393-0U1—Experimental Projects—Summer 2008

Green Hall (GR 4.204) Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Instructor Contact Information Teaching Assistant:

Dana Roark, Ph.D. Vaidehi Natu
danar@utdallas.edu vsn061000@utdallas.edu
Office: GR 4.205 (Perception Lab) Office: GR 4.910
Office Hours: Thursdays 1:00-2:00pm Office Hours: ___________
(and by appointment)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Course Description
This course will focus on designing and conducting psychological research, with a major emphasis on
the writing of research reports. This course fulfills the advanced writing requirement for Psychology
majors. Prerequisite: PSY 3392 or PSY 3490.

Student learning objectives

After completing the course, students should be able to:

2.2 Explain and apply basic statistical analyses and employ critical thinking to evaluate the
appropriateness of conclusions derived from their use.
2.3 Locate, accurately summarize, and evaluate bodies of scientific literature in psychology.
2.4 Use critical thinking to design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions using
appropriate research methods.
2.5 Demonstrate proficiency in writing research reports following APA Style Guidelines that include
an abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion sections.
3.2 Use critical thinking to analyze empirical reports.

Required text:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition (2001).

Optional text:
Writing Empirical Research Reports
Pyrczak & Bruce (2005). ISBN 1-844-585-58-2

Overview of the class

In this class, you will learn not only how to carry out an empirical psychological study, but you will
also learn how to write-up your research in the specialized format for this type of research, known as
“APA format”. Please be aware that in addition to APA formatting details, I will also stress general
writing principles that underlie clear, concise, explanatory writing. So, although designing and
carrying-out your experiment are very important components of this class, the quality of your writing is
equally, if not more, important.
After the first few weeks of class, we will begin to discuss possible experiments, based largely on your
own ideas. Typically, the experiments are conducted in groups of 3 or 4, which greatly aids in the
tasks of designing the details of the experiment and in obtaining a sufficient amount of data to make the
experiment worthwhile. As the semester progresses, you will be turning in rough draft versions of each
of the sections of the paper. This makes it easier for you to keep up with the great deal of writing that
this course requires, and allows you to receive feedback on your writing from me that will help you
revise your paper as the semester progresses.
Structure of Final Course Grade
Component Weight Points
1. Writing assignments 30% (60 pts) A = 179-200
2. Final paper 30% (60 pts) B = 159-178
C= 139-177
3. Quizzes 20% (40 pts) D=120-138
4. Data collection & analysis 10% (20 pts) F= below 120
5. Class Presentation 10% (20 pts)
______________________________________________
Total: 100% (200 pts)

Writing assignments
(10 pts each; 60 pts total)
These assignments consist of rough draft versions of the four major sections of the final paper:
Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, plus two additional writing assignments towards the
beginning of the semester (details on this later).

Final Paper (60 pts)

Your final paper will combine the revised versions of your section rough drafts, as well as an Abstract,
a Reference page, figures and, if necessary, an Appendix.
The grade on the final paper will not necessarily equal the sum of the grades of its parts. Because
rewriting is an important part of the process of academic writing and research publication, you are
expected to revise your paper as the semester progresses.

Quizzes (40 pts)

Four quizzes will be given that cover assigned reading and class lectures. No makeup quizzes will be
given.

Data collection and analysis (20 pts)

There will be two assignments that involve data collection and analysis.

Attendance
Students are expected to take responsibility for attending class and attendance will be formally taken
each class. If you do miss a class, you are responsible for getting any notes and/or assignments from a
willing classmate. As this is not a typical lecture class with exams, I will not be posting class notes,
although I do post information about assignments on WEB CT.

Class Presentations
At the end of the semester, each group will make a presentation of their experiment and results.

Course and Instructor Policies:

Late Assignments

Do not miss deadlines. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date posted on the
syllabus. So that I can read your papers and assignments and get them back to you in a timely fashion,
these due dates will be strictly enforced. If you know in advance that you will be unable to attend class
on the date that a project is due, please make arrangements with me before the due date. I do not
accept assignments that are sent by email; you should make arrangements to bring any late
assignments to the next class or arrange a time with me or the TA to turn in your paper.
Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade per day. If you have an emergency, you should
notify me or the TA by email. Or, at the very least, you may leave a message for me with the Dean’s
office. In case of illness, accommodations will be made only with a doctor’s note. If you find that you
will be unable to attend a significant number of classes, you may need to consider withdrawing from
the course. See the UTD website for deadlines. The last day to drop the class with a “W” is Thursday,
July 10th, 2008.

Other

Please follow common rules of courtesy regarding cell phones during class. Regarding computers, I
realize that students like to use them to take notes. However, it is obvious (and distracting) both to me
and to your fellow classmates when you are checking your email or browsing the Internet during class.
If you choose do so anyway, you will be asked to leave the classroom and you will not receive credit
for attendance that day.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the
orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student
organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and
activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A
to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules
and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or
she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university
regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of
conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are
also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the
value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that
degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her
scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications
for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not
one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating,
plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source
is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for
details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible
plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning
security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official

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 student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and
staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows
the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and
the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is
to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at
U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These
dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be
followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other
words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will
not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of
academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the
matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates
(hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not
resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to
the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a
written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and
convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results
of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students,
where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the
semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be
resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work
to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline,
the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to
those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union.
Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to
7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary
to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove
classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are
blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus
an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility
impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to
provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

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 It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation.
Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student
has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact
the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the
travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from
property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the
absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the
exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length
of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any
missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the
exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or
assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a
religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a
reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor
may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the
student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

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 COURSE SYLLABUS, PSY 3393, SUMMER, 2008
Please Note: As the course progresses during the semester, it is not uncommon for minor adjustments to
be made to the syllabus so that more time can be spent on certain topics. Any changes will be announced
at least one week in advance.
**Here is the link to Web CT: http://webct6.utdallas.edu. You may log in using your UTD netid and
password. Please visit WEB CT for assigned articles, handouts, and other helpful information

**All reading assignments from the APA manual are based on the 5th edition. So, if you are using an
earlier edition, the page numbers on the syllabus do not correspond exactly. In addition to assigned
readings, you will need to refer often to your APA manual whenever you have questions about style,
layout, spacing, headings, references, etc.

Date Top ic Pro jects D ue Reading Due

Tuesday,
Course overview --
May 27th

Thursday, Objectives of Quiz 1

Oppenheimer
May 29th scientific writing (on Oppenheimer article)
APA: pp. 3-17
GUEST LECTURER 10 pts

I. Experimentation in
Psychology; 1. APA Chapter 2,
Tuesday, Discuss C & T pp. 31-66
June 3rd 2. Bem article, 13-18,
II. Style issues of “Matters of Style”
scientific writing

1. Article by Bem, pp. 3-7

(posted on WEB CT;
I. Writing the 1-2p. Summary of sections: “How you should
Introduction… Craik & Tulving write”
Thursday,
***DUE FRIDA Y, &
June 5th
II. Generating JU NE 6 t h “The Introduction”)
hypotheses 10 pts
2. Craik & Lockhart
article
(posted on WebCT)

APA:
I. Discuss graded
pp. 77-94
Tuesday, summaries Be working on
pp. 103-111
June 10 library research
pp. 120-130
II. Research design

I. Research design;
group meetings 1-2 page summary of 2nd
Re-read the assigned
Thursday, reference
reading from June 3rd
June 12th II. Experimental 10 pts
methods: variables and .
measurement

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 I. Discuss graded
Be collecting and reading
Tuesday, summaries
Quiz 2 references for
June 17th
Introduction
II. Group meetings
I. Sampling issues
Bring a working version of
Thursday, II. writing workshop your Introduction to class Re-read Bem, “Matters of
June 19th print a copy; do n ot just Style”,
III. Group meetings bring a document on your pp 13-18
computer.
I. Scientific research
ethics Introduction and reference
Tuesday,
page due
June 24th
II. Writing the Method 10 pts
section

Thursday,
Data collection APA pp. 17-20; 387-396
June 26th

I. Main effects and Turn in data collection

interactions 10 pts
Tuesday, II. Examining your data; Also: Bring a working Bem article: “The Method
July 1st data Analysis version of your Methods Section”, pp 7-8
section
II. Writing workshop
Rough draft of Methods
Thursday, I. Data analysis (cont.): section due
July 3rd ANOVA; SAS 10 pts

class will meet in a Bring SAS files Bem article, “The Results
Tuesday,
computer lab on 10 pts Section”, pp8-10;
July 8th
campus-- TBA APA pp 20-26

I. Interpreting data QUIZ 3

Thursday,
July 10th II. Writing a Results Turn in SAS results
Section 10 pts
I. Graphs

Tuesday, Bring questions about

II. writing workshop APA pp. 20-25; 176-179
July 15th Results section

III. Group meetings

Rough Draft of Results

Thursday, Writing a Discussion
section due
July 17th section
10 pts

I. Presenting research
QUIZ 4
Tuesday, Be working on extra
II. writing worshop
July 22nd citations, if needed, for
Discussion section….
III. Group meetings

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 Discussion section due
Thursday, The final paper:
by FRIDA Y, JUL Y 2 5 t h APA pp.306-320
July 24th Putting it all together
10 pts

Tuesday, I. Discuss graded papers

Work on revisions
July 29th II. Class Presentations

Thursday,
Class presentations Work on revisions
July 31st

Tuesday, FINAL PAPE R IS D UE

August 5th 60 pts