PSYC 2617 - Research Methods for Psychology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 03, CRN 40389,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Swati Sethi
Email: snsethi@ysu.edu
Course Description
2617. Research Methods for Psychology. An introduction to psychological research methods. Students learn how to conduct ethical research and report their findings as well as to critically evaluate the research of others. Prereq.: "C" or better in PSYC 1560, psychology major or minor, or consent of instructor. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Methods in Behavioral Research | Paul Cozby & Scott Bates | 1260718905 |
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The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Course Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 1 | Syllabus Review Scientific Understanding of Behavior |
SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 9/1 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 1 | Scientific Understanding of Behavior | SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 9/8 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 2 | Where to Start: Research Question, Hypothesis, and Predictions | SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 9/15 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 2 Appendix A: APA Style Report Writing |
Where to Start: Research Question, Hypothesis, and Predictions Understanding Major Sections of Empirical Research Article in APA Style Understanding Writing References in APA Style |
In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 9/22 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 3 | Ethics in Behavioral Research | SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 9/29 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 4 | Understand four different types of Validity Learn the difference between Experimental and Nonexperimental Design Independent and Dependent Variable |
SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 10/6 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 4 | Understand four different types of Validity Learn the difference between Experimental & Nonexperimental Design Independent & Dependent Variables |
In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project Introduction Exam I (October 6th) |
| 10/13 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 5 | Discuss Validity & Reliability of a Measure Understand Reactive Measures Understand Scale of Measurement |
SmartBook Assignment In-class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project preparation |
| 10/20 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 5 | Discuss Validity & Reliability of a Measure Understand Reactive Measure Understand Scale of Measurement |
In-class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project preparation |
| 10/27 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 6 TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 8 |
Describe Naturalistic and Systematic Observations Define Case Study and Archival Research Understand different kind of Experimental Design |
SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project preparation |
| 11/3 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 7 | Learning about Survey Research Design | SmartBookn Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project Presentation Exam II (November 5th) |
| 11/10 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 9 | Understanding about Manipulation and Measurement | SmartBook Assignment In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet Research Project Presentation |
| 11/17 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 9 | Understanding about Manipulation and Measurement | In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 11/24 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 12 & 14 | Understanding Research Results: Frequency and Descriptive Statistics Learning the Research generalization Criteria |
SmartBook Assignment **Thanksgiving Break Week |
| 12/1 | TextBook & PowerPoint: Chapter 12 | Research Result: Frequency and Descriptive Statistics | In-Class/Take Home Assignment Practice Worksheet |
| 12/8 | Exam III (Final Exam) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.