Experimental Cognitive Psychology

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: 
This course introduces students to experimental methodology, advanced statistical analysis, interpretation and presentation of data, writing of experimental reports. In addition students go through the research process following ethical principles of research. Laboratory sessions complement the lectures.

RATIONALE: 
This course builds upon the knowledge acquired in earlier courses and goes more in depth in designing, running, analyzing, and writing up simple experiments with an emphasis on the core area of cognitive psychology. It provides opportunities to apply research skills in a laboratory setting with the use of computer software. It enhances critical thinking, a necessary skill for all psychology students, especially those who plan to pursue graduate degrees.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, a student should be able to:
1. Conduct a literature search on selected scientific questions, formulate appropriate hypotheses, write publishable research reports using the current APA format and apply ethical principles of conducting research
2. Demonstrate an understanding of different experimental and non-experimental designs for purposes of comparison and breadth.
3. Evaluate, reflect and be critical of own and of others research designs in experimental work.
4. Design experiment using the appropriate lab equipment (moved to LO1)
5. Participate in experiments and perform statistical analysis of data obtained by appropriate lab software using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
6. (incorporated in LO 1)
7. (incorporated in LO 1)

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING: 
In congruence with teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Classes consist of lectures and critical discussions of published research.
- Individual designing of experiments using appropriate software, conducting the experiments using human participants, analyzing obtained data and writing of experimental reports. Practical laboratory exercises using SPSS. 

Individual tutorial time, supervising all steps of the research paper.
- Office hours
- Use of Blackboard site