Course number & title:          PSY 210L:  Experimental Psychology Laboratory

 

Course description:                Introduction to the philosophy of science through the scientific approach and statistical methods, as applied to the different areas of psychology.  This three-unit course will focus on the conduct of both true and quasi experimental designs.   (Course: 1 semester, 3 lecture hours and 6 laboratory hours a week.  Credit: 5 units.  Prerequisites: Psy 1, 207A, and 207B)

 

Course objectives:                 At the end of the semester, the students will be able to:

1.      differentiate the different kinds of experimental designs, from pre-experimental to quasi-experimental to true experimental designs;

2.      practice the proper execution of true-experimental and quasi-experimental designs in the laboratory setting as well as employ appropriate statistics for each type;

3.      develop the skill of controlling extraneous variables to protect both internal and external experimental validity; and

4.      acquire and exhibit skills required for both human and animal experiments.

 

Value aims:

 

Functional body of knowledge	Information literacy	Life-long learning ability	Problem solving skills	Effective communication proficiency	Capability for independent and team work	Christian values, ethical and social responsibility	National concern, global perspective
1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

 

Course outline (time allotment):

 

1.  Behavioral Statistics Review                                     (6 HOURS)

1.1.    Importance of Statistics in Experiments

1.2.    Common Concepts in Statistics

1.3.    Non-Parametric Statistics

1.4.    Parametric Statistics

1.5.    Identification of Appropriate Statistics for Different Experimental Designs

2.  Writing Experimental Research Reports                    (6 HOURS)

2.1.          Contents of Research Reports

2.1.1.      Title Page

2.1.2.      Abstract

2.1.3.      Introduction

2.1.4.      Methodology

2.1.5.      Results

2.1.6.      Discussion

2.1.7.      Conclusions and Recommendations

2.1.8.      References

2.1.9.      Author Notes

2.1.10.  Footnotes

2.1.11.  Tables

2.1.12.  Figure Captions

2.1.13.  Figures

2.2.          Format of Experimental Research Reports 

2.3.          Essential of American Psychological Association Style

(APA Style 5^th ed.)

3.      Experiments on Internal Sensation

4.      Experiments on External Sensation

 

Course requirements:            Departmental Examinations (Preliminary and Final)

                                                Short Quizzes

                                                Experimental Research Reports                                    

 

Grading system:                     Quizzes and/or Experimental Research Reports  (60%)

                                                Departmental Examinations  (40%)

 

Reading list / References:    

 

* Myers, A. & Hansen, C.  (2002).  Experimental Psychology.  (5^th ed.).  Australia:  Wadsworth / Thomson Learning.

Martin, D.W.    (2004).  Doing Psychology Experiments.  Belmont, CA:  Thomson/ Wadsworth.

Pashler, H.  (Ed.).  (2002).  Steven’s Handbook of Experimental Psychology.  NY: John Wiley and Sons.

Katowitz, B.H.  (2001).  Experimental Psychology:  Understanding Psychological Research.  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth Thomson Learning

 

Note:   * text book

 

Prepared by:   Portia Quetulio; Roann Ramos; Glody Reyes; Marc Reyes; Criselda Tengco

                        Department of Psychology

                        UST College of Science

Date:  June 2005  (revised)