CourseInformation:What,when,&where Syllabus:Psychology240,Spring,2009 Coursetitle: IntroductiontoPsychologicalStatistics Coursenumber: Psychology240,SectionB Coursediscipline: Psychology Coursedates: January26,2009toMay12,2009 LECTURETime&Place: MWF:3:35PMto4:25PM, HerterHall227 LABTime&Place: BL01: W5:05PM5:55PM BL02:Tu9:30AM10:20AM BL03: F12:20PM1:10PM BL04: Th9:30AM10:20AM BL05:F1:25PM2:15PM BL06: F2:30PM3:20PM TobinHall306 TobinHall306 TobinHall306 TobinHall306 TobinHall306 TobinHall306
InstructorInformation Name: RichardS.BogartzTitle:ProfessorofPsychology Email:[e-mail] Officelocation:410TobinHall Officehours:Tobin410:2:303:20PMMWForbyappointment.Iamhappytomeetwithyou andbeofwhateverhelppossibleconcerninganyaspectofthecourse. Phone [phone] Graduateteachingassistant,______________isagraduatestudentinPsychology Phone:________ OfficeHours:Tobin420:_________ Email:______ Graduateteachingassistant,______________isagraduatestudentinPsychology Phone:________ OfficeHours:Tobin420:_________ Email:______ WebCtinfo
WeareusingSPARKsystem WebsiteforWebCT: http://www.oit.umass.edu/webct/index.html Textbook Aron,A.,Aron,E.N.,&Coups,E.J.(2005).StatisticsforPsychology, Fifth Edition.Upper SaddleRiver,NJ:PearsonPrenticeHall. THETEXTSAREAVAILABLEATAMHERSTBOOKS,8MAINST.,AMHERST.413256 1547 CourseGoals Thegoalsofthecoursearetoprovideyouwiththeopportunity,support,help,teaching, clarification,feedback,andencouragementforyoutoaccomplishthefollowing:understanding thebasicconceptsofdescriptiveandinferentialstatistics;demonstratingcompetenceinavariety ofbasicstatisticalskills;andusingcomputersoftwaretoobtainbasicdescriptivestatisticsfor setsofdataandtoperformsomeofthebasicstatisticaltestsinvolvedinstatisticalinference. Onesetofskillstobeacquiredwillinvolveperceptualrecognitionofformulas,graphs, and tables,verbalcomprehensionofconcepts,andtheabilitytodistinguishbetweensimilar ideas, formulas, etc. which have important differences between them. A second set will be productionskillswhereyouwillbeexpectedtobeabletoproducedefinitionsandformulas, computenumericalvaluesneededforstatisticalanalysis,befamiliarwithimportanttablesor producetablesshowingtheresultsofanalysis,andtoknowhowtoreadandproducevarious graphsthatshowtheresultsofstatisticalcomputations. You will also become familiar with some of the web sites available for performing statisticalcomputationsandclarifyingthemeaningofimportantstatisticalconcepts.Youwill alsobegintobepreparedtousethisknowledgeinyourfutureactivitiesasapsychologystudent andbeyond. Policies AcademicHonesty:AllstudentsareexpectedtoadherescrupulouslytotheUniversitypolicy concerningacademichonesty,whichisfoundinUndergraduateRightsandResponsibilities andatthewebsite
http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/code_conduct/acad_honest.htm.
Alinktothiswebsiteisonthecoursemenu.Anyviolationsoftheacademichonestypolicywill bevigorouslypursued. Attendance.StudentsareexpectedtoattendallregularlyscheduledclassesattheUniversityfor which theyareregistered.Incasesofillness,studentsaretoexplaintheirabsencesdirectlytotheir instructors.Thegradesofstudentswhohavemettherequirementsoftheinstructorinmaking
uptheirworkshallnotbereducedforabsencebecauseofillness.Studentsarenottobe penalizedforofficialoffcampustrips. During the Add/Drop period, faculty members are allowed to drop students who are absentfromthefirsttwoclassmeetingsandhavefailedtomakespecialarrangementswiththe instructor.(THISWILLBEDONEINTHISCOURSE.)However,studentsshouldbeaware thatnonattendanceisnotameansofautomaticallydroppingacourse.Studentswhointendto dropacourseshoulddosoduringtheAdd/Dropperiod.Studentswhodonotdroporwithdraw fromacoursethroughnormalproceduresmayreceiveagradeofFforthecourse. Thereafter,althoughaninstructormaynotunilaterallydropastudentfromacoursefor poorattendance,aninstructorteachingacoursewheregradingcriteriaarespelledoutmay loweragradeorevenfailastudentforpoorattendance.Facultymay,however,dropfromthe rosterastudentwhoisdisruptiveintheclassroom(seeV.,F.). INTHISCOURSE,THREEUNEXCUSEDABSENCESWILLRESULTINTHE STUDENT FAILING THE COURSE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS POLICY CAREFULLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER AND PLAN YOUR SEMESTERANDHOLIDAYACTIVITIESACCORDINGLY. Students absent due to extenuating circumstancesincluding jury duty, military obligations,scheduledactivitiesforotherclasses,thedeathofafamilymember,orverifiable health relatedincapacityremainresponsible for meetingallclass requirements.Faculty shall offersuchstudentsreasonableassistanceinmakingupmissedclasses(i.e.,makingarrangements forattendanceatlabsordiscussionsectionswhichmeetatothertimes;providingmakeup examsorlabswherefeasible). Whenscheduledevents,suchasathleticevents,conflictwithmorethan20percentofthe scheduledmeetingtimesofacourse,thestudentisrequiredtodroponeortheother.When theoverlapislessthan20percent,thestudentmayengageinbothactivities,butremains responsibleformeetingallrequirementsofthecourse. In considering whether to grant an excuse for an absence caused by illness or other extenuating nonacademic reasons, faculty have the right to require formal, written documentation,withinthelimitsofthehealthcareproviderspolicy.(SeeExcusesforHealth Reasons,underAdministrativePolicies&Procedures.) IN THIS COURSE ALL ABSENCES CAUSED BY ILLNESS OR OTHER EXTENUATINGNONACADEMICREASONSMUSTBESUPPORTEDBYFORMAL, WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION. IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDETHISWITHOUTPROMPTINGBYTHECOURSEINSTRUCTOR(S).THIS DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON THE DAY THE STUDENT RETURNSTOCLASS. ABSENCESDUETORELIGIOUSOBSERVANCE. StateLaw(Chapter375,Actsof1985),requiresthattheUniversityexcuseanystudent
whoisunabletoattendclassesorparticipateinanyexamination,study,orworkrequirement becauseofreligiousobservance.Studentshavetherighttomakeupexaminations,study, orworkrequirementsthattheymissbecauseofreligiousobservancewithoutanyadverse orprejudicialeffects.Nofeesmaybechargedtothestudentforthemakeupexercise.The lawalsoprovidesthatsuchmakeupworkmaynotcreateanunreasonableburdenuponthe University.Therefore,studentshaveanobligationtoinformtheircourseinstructors,inadvance, ofthedaysonwhichtheymaybeabsentforreligiousreasons.Studentsshouldinformtheir courseinstructorsinwritingofthedaystheywillbeabsentasearlyinthesemesteras possibleandalwayspriortotheday(s)onwhichtheywillbeabsentforreligiousreasons. Instructors,iftheyfeelthatitisimportantforcourseplanning,havetherighttorequire studentstoprovideawrittenlistofsuchdayswithinonefullcalendarweekafterstudents enrollmentinthecourse,providedthattheinstructorslistthisrequirementanddeadlineon thecourseoutlineorotherhandouts.Intheeventofadisputebetweenaninstructorand astudentinanycourse,eitherpartyshouldcontacttheDepartmentHeadortheOmbuds Office. INTHISCOURSEYOUAREREQUIREDTOPROVIDEAWRITTENLISTOF SUCHDAYSWITHINONEFULLCALENDARWEEKAFTERYOURENROLLMENT INTHECOURSE
CourseRequirements Therequirementsare:purchasethecoursetextbook;doalloftheweeklyhomeworkassignments andtheWebCTquizzes(3perchapter);attendallofthelectures;attendallofthelabsection meetings;learnthevariouscomputerskillspresentedthere;andtakealloftheexams. MethodsofLearning 1.Readingtheassignedmaterial,whichincludesfollowingthenumericexamplescloselyand writingdownquestionsaboutanythingnotentirelycleartoyou.Readingstatisticsrequiresclose studyandrereading,notjustreadingthroughonceasyoumightinanordinarybook.2.Testing yourknowledgeandreviewingeachlectureusingyourStudent'sStudyGuide.3.Completingthe assignedpracticeproblems(andturningtheminontime).Statisticsisinpartthelearningof skills. It is necessary to DO statistics, not just read and understand. 4. Attending lectures, listeningclosely,askingquestionsinclass.Besuretohavedonethereadingfirst.DON'Tfall behind!5.Attendingcomputertrainingsectionsledbytheteachingassistant.6.Besuretobring questionsfromthereadingwithyoutolecture.Thisisyourchancetogetrealhelpwithwhatis notcompletelyclearandtopursuedeeplywhateverhasexcitedyou(yes,therecanbeexciting thingsinstatistics!).7.MakinguseofthesupplementalhelpavailableattheLearningResources Center on the 10th floor of Du Bois Library. 8. Making individual appointments with the
instructor to discuss particularly stubborn or difficult points. 9. Studying for, taking, and reviewinganswersforexams.10.UsingtheWebCtquizzes.10.Usingthevariousonlineapplets thatdisplayimportantstatisticalconcepts.11.LearningtousesoftwareavailableontheWeband onthediscussionlabcomputers.11.Usingtheflashcardsand/ormakingyourown. Basisofevaluation 1.Fourmidtermexamseachworth100pointsandafinalworth200points.2.Completionof homeworkassignmentsontimeworth15points.3.Attendanceandparticipationinclassandlab sections. Lab attendance worth 15 points. 4. Completion of quizzes on time. All 3 quizzes relatingtoachaptercoveredonanexammustbecompletedbeforetheexamistakenorelsethe examreceivesascoreofzero.5.Extracreditforresearchparticipationwillbegiven.Youwill receive5pointsperexperimentalcredituptoamaximumof15points,i.e.,3credits.These pointswillbeaddedtoyourclasstotalbeforedeterminingyourgrade.6.Afinalexamonthe computermethodsportionofthecoursetobegivenatthelastmeetingofthelabsectionand worth100points.Inaddition,surprisepopquizzesvaryinginamountofpointsfrom10to 50ormoremayoccuratanytimeonduringlectureclass. Additionalinformation PLEASENOTETHATINORDERFORYOUTOBEGINTAKINGTHEQUIZZESYOU MUST FIRST COMPLETE THE COURSE PRETEST. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRETESTISSOTHATYOUCANHAVEABASISFORCOMPARISONOFWHERE YOUWEREATTHESTARTOFTHECOURSEANDWHEREYOUFINISHEDAT THE END OF THE COURSE. THERE WILL ALSO BE A COURSE POSTTEST WHICHISTHEFINALEXAM. ExamsandQuizzes 1.Eachofthefourmidtermexamswillcoveronlythematerialsincethelastexam(excepttothe extentthatthepreviousmaterialisnecessaryforunderstandingthenew).Thefinaliscumulative. 2.Ordinarilytherewillbenomakeupexamandamissedexamcountsasazero.3.Thosewho providealegitimate,documentedexcusecanelecttoeithertakeamakeupexamordropthe exam. Legitimate excuses are limited to medical excuses, court attendance, scheduled class relatedactivities,militaryobligations,orreligiousobservances. 2.Thequizzesarenotexams.Theyarestudydevices.Yourscoreonaquizdoesnotenterinto computationofyourfinalgrade.Youarerequiredtocompleteallofthequizzesforeachofthe chapterscoveredbyanexambeforetakingtheexamwhichcoversthosechapters.Ifyoudonot completeallthequizzesonallthechapterscoveredontheexampriortotakingtheexam, yourexamwillbescoredasazero.Ifyoustudyinatimelywayandtakethequizzesearly,the
quizzeswillgiveyouareasonablepictureofyourprogressinunderstandingtheimportantideas ofachapter.Theywillalsoindicatetoyouwhatyouneedtoaskquestionsaboutorstudymore. Ifyouputthemofftothelastminutetheywillnotservethesepurposesandyouwillhavewasted anopportunity.Sincemanyofthequestionsontheexamwillcloselyresemblethequestionson thequizzes,usingthequizzesasastudyguidewillbeasifyougottohaveanadvancesneak peekattheexam.PLEASENOTETHATINORDERFORYOUTOBEGINTAKINGTHE QUIZZESYOUMUSTFIRSTCOMPLETETHECOURSEPRETEST.THEPURPOSE OFTHISPRETESTISSOTHATYOUCANHAVEABASISFORCOMPARISONOF WHEREYOUWEREATTHESTARTOFTHECOURSEANDWHEREYOUFINISH ATTHEENDOFTHECOURSE.THEREWILLALSOBEACOURSEPOSTTEST WHICHISTHEFINALEXAM. 3.Pop(unannounced)quizzesmaybegiveninclassatanytimeonanyday.Popquizzesmaybe worthasmuchas25points. Missingthesecanalteryourfinalgrade. Mypurposeingiving quizzesistoencouragekeepingupwiththematerial.Thequizmaycoverthematerialscheduled tobediscussedonthatday.Thequizmayalsocovermaterialdiscussedinpreviouslectures. Thisistoencourageyoutobecontinuallyreviewingthepastmaterialbecausethecourseis cumulative. 4.THETOPICSCOVEREDINTHELECTURESIMMEDIATELYPRECEDINGAND FOLLOWINGSPRINGBREAKAREDIFFICULTANDIMPORTANT. ISTRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PLAN YOUR VACATIONS SO THAT YOU ATTEND THESELECTURES. Assignments 1.Allhomeworkassignmentsmustbecompletedbythestartofthefinalexamtopassthecourse. 2. HomeworkassignmentsareordinarilygivenduringtheMondayclassandaredueonthe FridayfollowingthatMonday. 3.Homeworkassignmentsturnedinbetween5minutesand24hoursaftertheyareduecountas 1/2lateassignments. Fallingbehindonthehomework isnotonlyselfdefeatinginthatit weakensyourpreparationforexams,butitalsorisksyourreceivinganFinthecourse. Additionalinformation.Thereisaregularassignmentofquizzes.Thebestwaytoapproachthe quizzesistotakethreeaweek.Thereare3quizzesforeachchapterandeachchaptertakesabout aweektocover.Readthechapterearly,beforeitiscoveredinlecture.Takethequizzesanduse yourmistakesasabasisforquestionsduringlecture. CourseTopics Followingdiscussionofthecoursemechanicswewillcoverthetopicsshownonthepowerpoint slidesavailabletoyouontheWebCThomepageatthelinkcalledLectures:PowerPoint. I
stronglyrecommendthatyoudownloadthesepages.Bringingthemtoclasswillsaveyoualotof notetaking.Insteadyoucanaddyourownremarks,questions,etc. HandyHintsfromtheLearningResourceCenterWebsite: 1.TimeManagement Studieshaveshownthattheaverage"preptime"foraclassis23hoursaweekforeveryhour spentinclass.Thismeanstaking15creditswillrequireintherangeof4560hoursaweekto attendclassandkeepupwithassignmentsandstudying.Thisworkloadismorethanafulltime job.Inadditiontostudyrequirements,extracurricularactivities,workandfamilydemands,there isbarelytimeleftforleisureactivities.Timeisapreciouscommodity,andmanagingitisamajor concernfornearlyeveryone.Timemanagementhelpsstudentstomeetdeadlinesandtobe responsible.Ithelpsthemfitallthedifferentpiecesoftheirlifetogetherandcompleteclass assignmentsandprojectsontimewithoutdenyingthemselvesasociallife,recreationalactivities, orotherthingsthatareimportanttothem. Forastudent,managingtimehasitsownspecialtwistsandturnsthathavetobenegotiated. Nearlyeverystudentexperienceshavingmorethanonefinalexamscheduledforthesame morningorafternoon,orhavingtwoclassprojectsdueonthesameday.Thosethingswill happen,andtimemanagementtechniqueswillhelpthestudentsforthoseeventstheycanforesee, andcopewiththosetheycannot. Afewtips: *layoutatimetableforatermorsemester. *determinegoalsforagivenperiodoftime. *developastrategytoachievethosegoals. *developaweeklytimetable. *developadailytimetableand"ToDo"list. waitinguntilthelastminute. *avoidcommontimemanagementmistakesandpitfallsADD:suchasbeingdisorganizedand 2.NoteTaking Thebestnotetakersareoftenthemostsuccessfulcollegestudents. Partofthechallengeintakinggoodnotesisthatteachingstylesvaryfrominstructortoinstructor sodolecturingstyles.Someinstructorsarewellorganized,andsomewander;somearestory tellers,allowingstudentstodeterminehowthestoryissignificant.Itisessentialforstudentsto
determineaninstructor'slecturingstyleandmethodfordivulgingimportantideas.Thishelps themdeterminewhatinformationneedstobeincludedinnotestakenduringalecture. Inordertoaidstudentsindevelopinggoodnotetakingskillsintheclassroom,itisimportantto providethemwithaworkingknowledgeaboutthesubject.Therefore,itiscriticaltohavethem actuallyengageintheartoftakingnotesduringclass. TAKINGNOTESINCLASS 1.BEFORETHELECTUREBEGINS: Makesomepreparationforthelecturesothatyouwillbemorelikelytopredictthe organizationofthelecture. CHECKTHECOURSEOUTLINEtoseeifthelecturerhaslistedthetopicorkeyideas intheupcominglecture.Ifso,convertthisinformationintoquestionstobeansweredin thelecture. BEFORETHELECTURE,completeoutsidereadingorreferenceassignments. REVIEWTHETEXTASSIGNMENTandanyreadingnotestaken. REVIEWNOTESfromthepreviouslecture. Sitasneartothefrontoftheroomaspossibletoeliminatedistractions. Copyeverythingontheblackboardandtransparencies,especiallytheoutline. Haveaproperattitude.Listeningwellisamatterofpayingcloseattention.Bepreparedto beopenmindedtowhatthelecturermaysayeventhoughyoumaydisagreewithit. 2.DURINGTHELECTURE: Haveyourlecturepaperandpencilorpenready. Writedownthetitleofthelecture,thenameofthecourseandthedate. Watchthespeakercarefully. Listencarefullytotheintroduction(ifthereisone).Hearthelecture.Byknowinghis outline,youwillbebetterpreparedtoanticipatewhatnotesyouwillneedtotake. Bebriefinyournotetaking.Summarizeyournotesinyourownwords,notthe instructor's.Remember:yourgoalistounderstandwhatsheissaying,nottotrytorecord exactlyeverythingshesays. Trytorecognizemainideasbysignalwordsthatindicatesomethingimportantisto follow.Examples:"First,Second,Next,Then,Thus,Anotherimportant...,"etc. Jotdowndetailsorexamplesthatsupportthemainideas.Givespecialattentiontodetails notcoveredinthetextbook. Ifthereisasummaryattheendofthelecture,paycloseattentiontoit.Youcanuseitto checktheorganizationofyournotes.Ifyournotesseemdisorganized,copydownthe mainpointscoveredinthesummary.Itwillhelpinrevisingyournoteslater. Attheendofthelecture,askquestionsaboutpointsyoudidnotunderstand.
Don'tbeinarush.Beattentive,listenandtakenotesrightuptothepointatwhichthe instructordismissesyou.Ifyouaregatheringtogetheryourpersonalbelongingswhenyou shouldbelistening,you'reboundtomissanimportantpointperhapsanannouncement aboutthenextexam! 3.AFTERTHELECTURE: Reviseyournotesasquicklyaspossible,preferablyimmediatelyafterthelecturesinceat thattimeyouwillstillrememberagooddealofthelecture. Duringthefirstreviewperiodafterthelecture,coordinatereadingandlecturenotes. ReviewyourlecturenotesATLEASTONCEAWEEK.Also,reviewthelecturenotes beforethenextlecture. 3.ProblemSolving Solvingproblemsisclearlyacrucialsurvivalskillinaninformationsocietybecause,inorderto surviveinthesociety,wemustdealwithmanytechnologicallyadvancedissuesorworks consistingofcomplicated,complexproblems.Thusbusinessandeducationleadersemphasize theneedforproblemsolvingskillsasoneofhigherorderthinkingskills,whichinvolve professionalsallthetimeandinallaspectsoftheirlives. Everypersonhassomeproblemsolvingcapability.Whenstudentsbuildontheseexistingskills, theywillbeabletosuccessfullytacklesignificantacademicsubjectmatter.Itmeansthatno matterwhatdisciplineastudentchoosesforacareer,problemsolvingplaysanimportantrole. Here,learnersseehowimportantproblemsolvingskillsareandthatwhensolvingproblems,the firststepistoidentifythetrueproblem. Skillschecklistprioritizethesetipsandselectuptothreethatyouwillimplementnow. Readtheentireproblemandnoteeverythingyouareunfamiliarwith. Identifythetopicoftheproblem. Writedownalltheinformationgiven. Identifytherealquestion. Planyourmethodofattack. Seeifyouhaveenoughinformation. Makesureyoudiscardirrelevantinformation. Solvetheprobleminanorganizedway. Includeunitsinnumericalsolutions. Checkyouranswer.
4.StressManagement
Everyoneexperiencesstressatsomepointintheirlife.Notallstressisnecessarilybad.Itis perfectlynaturalandanimportantpartoflife.Thiskindofstressiscalledeustress.However, stressinitsnegativeformsorstressthatcontinuesfortoolong(distress),canaffectyourphysical andmentalhealth. Lifechangesplayalargeroleintheamountofstressthatoneexperiences.Increasingyour knowledgeofstressandhowitisperceivedisanimportantpartofmanagingit.Therefore,the purposeofthissectionistoeducateyouaboutstressandhowtocopeandmanagethestressin yourlife. Keypoints: Thestressyouexperienceissomethingthatislargelyunderyourcontrol Stresscancomefromarangeofdifferentsources Shorttermstressoccurswhereyoufindyourselfunderpressureinaparticularsituation Acertainlevelofshorttermstressisneededtofeelalertandalive Toomuchisunpleasantandcanseriouslydamageperformance Shorttermstressisbesthandledusingmentalorphysicalstressmanagementtechniques Longtermstresscomesfromabuildupofstressoveralongperiod Sustainedhighlevelscanleadtoseriousphysicalandmentalillnessifnotcontrolled Longtermstressisbestmanagedbychangestolifestyle,attitudeandenvironment Byusingastressdiaryyoucanmonitorandunderstandthecausesofstressinyourlife. Thediarycanhelpyoutoevaluateyourperformanceunderstress. Onceyouunderstandwhatiscausingyoustress,youcanmakeanactionplanforstress management.Thisgivesyoupositivegoalstoworktowards. Alsogettingenoughsleepandhealthyeatinghabitscanhelpreducestress. Inaddition,usingourotherstudyskillsrecommendationscanhelpkeepyouontrackand preventstressbeforeitstarts!
AdditionalSourcesforImprovingYourStudySkills http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:7XX2FT382coJ:www.hhpub.com/books/pdf/Studycards.pd f+%22Theory+of+study%22&hl=en&client=firefoxa http://www.howtostudy.com/ http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/checklis.html http://www.studygs.net/ http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html http://www.brunel.ac.uk/~mastmmg/ssguide/sshome.htm
http://www.mtsu.edu/~studskl/mem.html http://euler.slu.edu/Dept/SuccessinMath.html http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/helpful_study_skills_links.htm http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/
StatementforUndergraduatesConcerningResearchParticipation
In the Psychology Department there is a great need to have people participate as subjects in research. The Department has a reputation for excellence in research and scholarship, as well as in teaching. Your participation in studies conducted by members of the Department helps create this reputation for excellence. In fact, much of the research that you learn about in psychology courses is based on participation of undergraduate students. Typically students participate in research as part of their courses. Most faculty in the Psychology Department believe that it is justified to link research participation to enrollment in psychology courses. While student provide a valuable service by donating a few hours to research, they are receiving something in return. One kind of return is the knowledge they receive from experience the role of a subject. Students then know directly what it is like to be a subject and come to understand the context in which psychological data are typically gathered. Also, researchers provide feedback to subjects explaining their studies. Students can learn the hypothesis and designs of the studies in which they have participated. Further, many undergraduates continue on to advance work in which they conduct their own studies in laboratory or special problems courses. Having prior experience as subjects helps them design their own studies.
If you are taking Psych 100, 110, 240 or 241 you are REQUIRED to complete an on-line pre-screening process at the beginning of the semester, without credit. Each semester you are in one of these classes you are required to do this prescreening process, even if you have done this in a previous semester. It is your responsibility to satisfy the pre-screening requirement. Prescreening is now done through the Sona System. The URL is http://umasspsych.sona-system.com You will need to log onto the system using the instructions provided with your syllabus and complete the study called PSI-Prescreening for 100,110,240 and 241 ONLY. Your professor will be notified at the end of the semester if you have completed this requirement. You will be able to check on Sona System yourself to see whether you have completed it or not.
Receiving Credit for Research Participation: You are now able to sign up and get credit for the studies you do on-line. The web address is http://umasspsych.sona-systems.com Complete instructions on how to log in, sign-up and check your credits is included with your syllabus. Also instructions are on the Psychology>Participating In Research page online as well as posted in the 4th floor lobby. If you have any problems you can come to Tobin Rm 441. What should you expect from each study in which you participate? 1. Courteous treatment. The researcher should be present at the appointed time and place, and should treat their subjects considerately. Failures to be treated courteously should be reported to your instructor or the Department Chair. 2. Informed Consent. Subjects must consent to the study procedures. To do this, researchers must obtain written signed consent forms prior to the study. So that subjects are informed concerning what they are consenting to, the researcher must provide a fair and as full an explanation as possible of the procedures before asking subjects to sign. This description should include information concerning any discomfort or risks as well as any benefits to be expected. Researchers also should offer to answer any questions concerning the procedures and mention the right to leave the study (see point
3) 3. The Right to leave any study at any time. Subjects may leave a session at any time and still receive credit. It is, of course, expected that students would walk out on a study only if they had a good reason. 4. Informative Feedback. Researchers must explain each study to the students that participate. This explanation should be clear and useful. Failures to provide adequate feedback should be reported to your course instructor. What obligations do students have when they sign up for a study? 1. Prompt arrival at the session. Students should arrive on time at the session. When students do not show up, the researchers time is wasted. Often researchers lose an hour or more every time a subject fails to show up. No-shows are tracked by ALL researchers and reported to the instructors. Many instructors penalize students for failure to show up at a study they have agreed to do. Ask your professor about his policy concerning this. 2. Attention to feedback. Making participation genuinely educational is an obligation of students as well as researchers. Feedback is more likely to be interesting if students pay close attention to the researchers explanation and ask a few probing questions.
To All Students in Psych 100, 110, 240, 241
ResearchParticipation As psychologists, our understanding of the human mind and behavior is based largely on empirical findings from studies such as those conducted in our Psychology Department. We strongly encourage you to participate in psychological studies for several reasons. First, we believe that you will gain some direct knowledge of the research process. Second, your participation provides an important contribution to the field of psychology and will be greatly appreciated by the members of the Psychology Department. Third, participating in studies gives you the opportunity to earn extra credit or to satisfy a requirement for your course. PreScreeningRequirement As part of your psychology course (psych 100, 110, 240, 241) you MUST complete the Pre-screening survey process. You will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires. Please note that this is a COURSE REQUIREMENT and that you must complete the on-line pre-screening survey process during the first few weeks of the semester even if you do not plan to participate in any studies. You must complete it even if you have participated in a prescreening session in a previous semester. The purpose of this online survey is to allow researchers to determine who is eligible to participate in their studies. For example, some researchers are seeking people who speak more than one language; others need people who hold particular beliefs or who have experience a particular life event.
OnlinePSIprescreening sessions Prescreening is now done through the Sona system. The URL is http://umasspsych.sona-systems.com You will need to log onto the system using the instructions provided with your syllabus and complete the study called PSI- Prescreening for 100,110,240 and 241 ONLY. Your professor will be notified at the end of the semester if you have completed this requirement. You will be able to check on Sona System yourself whether you have completed it or not. Researchers require the pre-screening information early in the semester in order to plan their studies. For this reason, the PSI pre-screening survey will NOT be allowed after
the first few weeks of the semester. Please note that the only way you can fulfill the prescreening requirement for your course is to complete the survey at the BEGINNING of the semester.
How can you sign up for the studies?
Again, all psychology studies that are available are listed on Sona System. The web address is http://umasspsych.sona-systems.com The instructions for logging onto the system are included with your syllabus or can be obtained on the Psychology website. http://euryale.sbs.umass.edu/PsychWeb/HumanSubjects/extra_pages/ParticipantHowT o.pdf There also will be sheets in the 4th floor lobby explaining in detail how to access the system and find studies, sign up, and check credits. If you have any problems you can come to Tobin Rm 441.