PSYC-205 : General Research Methods

Course Description: This course is a survey and overview of research methodology in psychology as a scientific field. The goal of the course is to acquaint students with fundamental questions and issues concerning approaches to scientific, experimentation-based psychology---cf. a hands-on experience of research may only be gained by participating in research activities in each student's area of study. The central questions recurring in various forms during the course are: a) What is scientific knowledge? (What is the kind of knowledge that we can accept in science?); b) How do we contribute to the body of such knowledge with our own research? (What are the designs and methods that can ensure research conclusions are valid statements?); c) What position would you take about the usefulness of psychological research as its consumer or practitioner?