PSY350 Topics in Psychology

Comparative Psychology: Humans as Primates

Fall 2016-2017

Syllabus
General Information
Type of Course: Seminar
Number of credits: 3

Prerequisites: PSY101, MAT140 (or above)

Meeting Day(s) & Time(s): MWF 11:10-12:00

Classroom: W206, Wargelin Hall

Instructor: Joshua Smith

Phone: 906-487-7282

Office: Mannerheim 401

Email: joshua.smith@finlandia.edu

Office Hours: Mon/Wed 3-5pm, Tues/Thurs 4-5pm

Course communications: I prefer email communication. All emails should include 1) the course
code (PSY###) in the subject line, and 2) your full name and student number in the body of the email.
Course Description and Organization
PSY353 provides an introduction to the methods of social inquiry. Students learn how to design and
conduct research, and how to become critical consumers of it. An overview of the various research
strategies in the social sciences is presented. We will focus on conceptual and applied dimensions of
social research.
Institutional Leaning Outcomes (ILOs)
1. Communication Students will be able to communicate in both the spoken and written word,
with clarity and originality while adapting to diverse situations.
2. Analytic and Critical Thinking Students will be able to gather relevant data and information,
evaluate ideas, and draw relationships and conclusions across areas of study.
3. Creative Insight Students will be able to integrate knowledge, skills, diverse perspectives, and
collaborative processes to produce an expansive holistic approach to problem solving.
4. Personal Perspective Students will be able to articulate and model a personal philosophy that
expresses care for self, community, and lifelong learning.
5. Global Perspective Students will be able to exhibit an understanding of and appreciation for
diverse cultures and the natural environment, and demonstrate a sense of belonging in an
interdependent world.

PSY350 Comparative Psychology: Humans as Primates, Course Syllabus Fall 2016-2017

Course Learning Outcomes

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct informed
and productive psychological research critical for professional employment or graduate study in
psychology.

In this course students will

1. Identify and explain the scientific method its components (ILO 2).
2. Describe the research process from broad paradigms and theories to specific research questions,
predictions, and studies (ILO 2).
3. Identify and discuss ethical issues and model ethical principles as they relate to scientific and
psychological research (ILO 4-5).
4. Apply the scientific method to research questions psychology, and give examples of how
psychological research is designed and conducted (ILO 2).
5. Compare and contrast psychological research methods and evaluate which methods are most
appropriate for addressing different questions and/or problems (ILO 2-3).
6. Critically evaluate research theories, hypotheses, and predictions relative to available data and
draw informed conclusions based on those data (ILO 2).
7. Develop necessary skills to design a psychological research project (ILO 2).
8. Develop oral and written communication skills to present research ideas and designs in APA
format and style (ILO 1).
Texts/Materials
Goodwin, C.J. and Goodwin, K.A. (2013). Research in Psychology: Methods and Design, 7th Edition.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Available at North Wind Books: list $205 (no used)

Amazon.com: Available new, used. Rental. E-textbook ($50)

Publisher: $198 (new, hard cover), e-text ($63)

Companion Student Site: http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?

action=index&itemId=1118360028&bcsId=7688
Application Exercises, Chapter Objectives, Concept Review, Key Terms, PSS Guide (Statistics),
Online Calculation Guide, Quiz/Sample Questions (fill-in, matching, multiple choice)

PSY350 Comparative Psychology: Humans as Primates, Course Syllabus Fall 2016-2017

Information about the Course

This is an advanced course. Diligent preparation and active participation are required. This
course is a broad overview of research techniques in psychology. Because we will cover many
different research methodologies, we will not cover any specific method in depth. Statistics and
statistical techniques will be covered in PSY354: Quantitative Analysis.

Contact Hours

Being a post-secondary student is basically a full time job. Per Finlandia policy, the expected
student workload is approximately 3 hours of work per week per semester credit (1 hour of in-class
instruction, PLUS a minimum of 2 hours of work outside of class). A typical 12-credit semester
course load works out to 36 hours of academic work per week. Therefore, effective planning and
time management are essential to student success (plan ahead, avoid procrastination).

PSY353 is a 3 credit class. Each week will include 3 hours of class time, and an average of 6
hours of work outside of class (e.g., reading, studying, assignments).

Grading Policy

For this course, students will 1) come to class having read assigned readings and prepared to
participate in classroom discussion, 2) complete daily quizzes, classroom activities, and
homework as assigned, 3) write 3 course exams, and 4) a group research project.

Breakdown of Graded Components

Attendance and discussion

10%

Daily Quizzes, Activities, Homework

10%

Exams (3)

60% (20% each)

Group Research Project

20%

Descriptions of Graded Components

Attendance and classroom discussion
Learning in this course depends on active student participation and discussion. Students are
expected to attend all classes and contribute to all class discussion.

*Attendance will typically be monitored using in-class quizzes and activities. Participation will

be graded based on active contributions to class discussions (as determined by the instructor).

Daily Quizzes

Quizzes will be given frequently (perhaps not daily) and will be used to 1) track attendance, 2)
help identify areas that may need additional coverage or clarification OR where you may need
to devote additional study time. Quiz questions are not designed to be difficult or tricky. For
students who complete all in-class quizzes, I will drop their two lowest quiz scores before
calculating final grades.
Missed quizzes cannot be made up, but missed quizzes will not be counted against students
who miss class for an excused absence and contact me prior to class on the day of the quiz.
If you fail to contact me in advance re: a class absence, any daily quiz will be counted,
whether the absence is approved or not.

*Quizzes will be graded as a whole on a total point basis for all quizzes assigned/completed.

Activities, discussion, homework

Occasionally, we will engage in-class learning activities and/or discussions OR students will be
assigned work to be completed outside of class. Activity and/or assignment type and content
will vary throughout the course.

*Grading for activities, discussion, and homework will be conducted individually on a TBD

basis. Students will have an opportunity for input in selecting activities and potentially on their
grading.
Exams
Three exams will be administered during the course. Exams will not be cumulative by design,
but many course concepts carry over or build upon each other as the course progresses and
thus may be included on more than one exam. Exams will be primarily multiple choice, but will
also include some form of written component (e.g., short essay). Exam questions will be based
on both text and lecture materials as well as any supplemental materials assigned or
presented during the course. Questions will focus on main concepts, theories, psychologists,
terms, experimental findings, and methodology.

Students should form study groups they are very beneficial.

*Exams will be graded out of 100 possible points. Make-up exams will only be offered for
approved, excused absences (see attendance below). Students who expect to miss an exam
due to approved university travel (or other pre-approved absence) should contact me at least
one week prior to the exam and should be prepared to write an alternate exam in advance
of the expected absence. Please note that early alternate and make-up exams may not be in
the same format as the regularly-scheduled in-class exam at the discretion of the instructor.

Group Research Project

A primary component of this course a group research project that will provide students an
opportunity to practice research-related skills while simultaneously developing collegial
academic and communications skills. Working together, groups will 1) decide on a relevant
topic/problem and related research question in a subfield of their choice, 2) review the relevant

psychological research, 3) develop a proposal for a study designed to address their chosen
research question, 4) present their proposal to the class, and 5) prepare a final written, APAstyle research proposal including a detailed introduction/background (including study
hypothesis and predictions), proposed methods section, expected results, and potential
implications. A detailed project description will be made available and students will be provided
with detailed feedback as the course progresses.

Generally, components of the project include

Topic: Address a research question in psychology.
Question: Projects require a foundational hypothesis or question.
Project Plan: Outlines the intended project in terms of title, topic and question, annotated

bibliography, and abstracts for key publications. Students will submit project plans twice, only
the second submission will be graded.
Abstract: Summarizes presentation and paper in terms of question, method and arguments,
and conclusions. Optional early submission for feedback.
Presentation: In-class oral presentation of project using PowerPoint or similar.
Paper: APA-style research proposal similar to that used for a senior capstone research
project/thesis. Optional early submission for feedback (see course schedule for details).

* Projects will receive a single comprehensive grade based on individual components: 5% for
the background (topic, question, project plan), 5% for the presentation, 10% for the final
proposal.

* As a part of the group project, students will submit individual evaluations of all group
members contributions to the project overall. In part this is an effort to ensure equal
participation and contributions from all group members, but also to expose students to the
practice and challenges of peer evaluations that are critical for ensuring the quality of scholarly
research. Peer evaluations will be kept confidential by the instructor, but will be used as a
component for assigning individual adjustments to grades for group projects if/as needed.

Grading Scale

94-

74-

90-

70-

87-

67-

84-

64-

80-

60-

77-

0-

Grade Disputes

Grades should be reflections of learning, not ends in themselves. Students are welcome, and

encouraged, to meet with me to discuss any graded work. I enjoy meeting with students and
respect students' efforts to understand and learn from their mistakes. Following consultation, a
student who still disagrees with a received grade may challenge that grade. Challenges cannot
be made for materials not previously discussed with me. Grade challenges must be made
within one week receiving the grade (I will not accept late challenges), in writing (MS Word or
similar), and submitted electronically (via email). Challenges must provide a clear rationale
indicating 1) what specifically is being challenged (i.e., not just the % or letter grade), 2) the
specific point of disagreement including what the student feels is incorrect, how, and why,
and 3) how any previously provided feedback/explanation for the received grade was not valid
and justified. Students must provide justification and evidence for their argument. I will carefully
review all materials and provide a written response indicating whether a grade change was
made and an explanation of my decision. I will not change grades after final semester grades
are submitted unless there is a documented error in calculating, recording, or transmitting the
grade.

Attendance

The university expects every student to attend all class sessions of scheduled courses and
complete all assignments. The class attendance policy follows, as noted in the University Catalog.

1.

Each student is expected to attend all class periods. Students who anticipate missing a

class session (whether excused or unexcused) must inform their instructor(s) prior to the absence.
Individual instructors decide whether an absence is excused or unexcused and how class
absences affect the students grade.

An excused absence may be granted for reasons related to a university-approved event,

bereavement, military obligation, jury duty, severe weather, or other urgent personal matters. Types
of absences not listed above are considered unexcused.

2.

In the event that absences adversely affect a students grade, the student will be referred by

the instructor to their academic advisor and the Academic Success Coach.

3.

In-class assignments, quizzes, and/or exams missed on the day of an unexcused absence

cannot be made up.

Instructor's Expectations

Success in this course demands that students be active partners in learning their own, and

their peers'. Students need to attend classes students who miss classes will not learn. Come
to class prepared. Read all assigned readings. Complete the preliminary assignments. Be
prepared to discuss, to ask and answer questions. Additionally, be respectful of others in the
class avoid distractions (or being a distraction), avoid texting, talking, playing with a cell
phone or computer, etc. Remember, your presence, participation, and behavior in classes
impacts your educational experience as well as the experience of your peers.
Complete assignments on time, before class.
Come to class on time and stay for the duration.
If you will miss a session due to University travel or other excused absence notify me in

advance. Simply not showing up is unprofessional and unacceptable.

Any missed materials (notes, assignments, etc.) are the responsibility of the student and will
not be provided by the instructor.
Check your FU email regularly you are responsible course updates or information sent out
via email.
Turn off phones and extraneous devices before class begins.
Using phones and devices for purposes not related to the class is prohibited.

Academic Integrity

Finlandia Universitys faculty require academic integrity from all students. Any student who violates
the Integrity Core Values and Behavioral Expectations (pages 17-18 of the Student Handbook),
including Falsification, Academic Dishonesty, Collusion, or Trust can expect an academic penalty
imposed by the instructor with the possibility of additional sanctions levied by the Board of Student
Conduct. Refer to the Student Handbook for further explanation.

Academic Support Services (http://www.finlandia.edu/academics/academic-support/)

If you are having difficulties with the course, please contact me ASAP. Speak with me before,
during, or after class or send me an email. Do not put this off. Course difficulties often build on
each other. Students are encouraged to meet with me during my posted office hours. If you cannot
meet with me during set office hours (because of a valid, documented conflict), you should contact
me to arrange an alternative meeting time [email contact is preferred].

Also, you should take advantage of tutoring services available through the Teaching Learning
Center (TLC) located in Nikander 10. The TLC is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,
with additional evening hours in the Maki Library. Tutoring is available either by appointment or
walk-ins, but appointments are recommended to ensure that an appropriate tutor is available. TLC
Direct Line: 487-7255

Americans with Disabilities Act

Finlandia University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act. Any student requesting accommodations must have documentation of a specific
disability on file with the Director of Disability Student Services (DSS). With proper documentation
on file, a student will then receive a Disability Verification Memo for the course(s) that identifies the
accommodation(s). The office of the Director of Disability Student Services (DSS) is located in
Mannerheim 114; phone 487-7324.

Student Athletes

If you are a student athlete, please see me to introduce yourself during the first week of classes. If
sports travel may result in missing classes, please schedule an appointment to meet with me
during the first two weeks of classes to discuss potential the absences and make arrangements for

completing missed course. I expect all class activities, assignments, and exams will be
submitted/completed in advance of any scheduled absence. Failure to follow these procedures will
result in a late penalty for any missed course work.

Schedule (may be subject to changes, meetings Mon/Wed/Fri)

**Topics are weekly and listed only once per week**

Dat

In-Class

Readings, assignments, etc.

Course structure & expectation

Introduction to Research Methods

Chapter 1

Scientific Thinking

Library Resources & Research

Research Group Formation

LABOR DAY, NO CLASSES

Chapter 2

Ethics

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Research Ideas and Questions

Chapter 3

1
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Project Plan Due (5pm)

Chapter 4

Working with Data

Exam 1

Intro to Experimental Research

Chapter 5

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Jillian Stuart, Guest lecture

Revised Project Plans Due

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Experimental Research Designs

Chapter 7

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Chapter 6

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Experimental Methods

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(5pm)

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Exp Research Designs (cont)

Chapter 8

Correlational Research

Chapter 9

Quasi-Experimental, Applied

Research

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Deadline for early abstracts,

PPT

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Exam 2

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Chapter 10

Observational Research, Surveys

Chapter 12

Exam 3

Special lecture: Research with great

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Chapter 11

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Research with Small Samples

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apes

TBD (Instructor Research)

Project Abstracts, PPT due
(5pm)

THANKSGIVING BREAK, NO
CLASSES

.
2
3

Student research presentations

TBD

Student research presentations

TBD

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5

CLASSES

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THANKSGIVING BREAK, NO

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Final papers due, 5pm

Important Dates

Classes begin

Aug. 29, 2016

Drop/Add ends

Sep. 02, 2016

Labor Day

Sep. 05, 2016 (no classes)

Midterm grades due

Oct. 18, 2016

End of W period

Nov. 03, 2016 (for full semester course)

Thanksgiving break

Nov. 23-27 (no classes)

Finals

Dec. 12-16, 2016

Final grades due

Dec. 20, 2016