1. Source: NDSU Academic Affairs Committee Updated: 09/26/2014
PSYC301: EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
BASIC INFORMATION
PSYCH301
Section #301-03: Experimental Psychology
4 credits
Spring 2016
Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 220;or PSYC 220 and PSYC 288 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288.
Lecturer: Arturo D. Calderon
Class Time: Mon & Wen 11:30am-2:15pm
Class location: Dickson 282 (Monday)University Hall 2012 (Wednesday)
Office hours: By Appointment
Email Address: calderona@mail.montclair.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is an introduction to laboratory methods of research in areas such as motivation, perception, learning, etc. Emphasis
is on design and execution of exploratory investigations. Our aim will be to acquire the skill set necessary to build and criticize
experimental methods and design.
COURSE GOALS
 Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent with theScience and Application of Psychology (For a Psychology Career)
-Goal 1.KnowledgeBase of Psychology
Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical
trends in psychology.
-Goal 2. Research Methods in Psychology
Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and
interpretation.
-Goal 3. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to
solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
-Goal 4. Application of Psychology
Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
-Goal 5. Values in Psychology
Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerateambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings
of psychology as a discipline.
 Knowledge, Skills, and Values Consistent with Liberal Arts Education that are FurtherDeveloped in Psychology
(For a Human-Life Career)
-Goal 6. Information and TechnologicalLiteracy
Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many
purposes.
-Goal 7. Communication Skills
Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
-Goal 8. Socioculturaland InternationalAwareness
Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
-Goal 9. Personal Development
Students will develop insight into their own and others' behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-
management and self-improvement.
-Goal 10. Career Planning and Development
Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and
values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

2. Source: NDSU Academic Affairs Committee Updated: 09/26/2014
REQUIRED READINGS
-Experimental Psychology, 7th Edition
 By AnneMyers
 Christine Hansen Oakland University
 ISBN-10: 0495602310 | ISBN-13: 9780495602316
-Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
 By theAPA
 ISBN: 978-1-4338-0561-5
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topic Reading /Assignment
1(1/20) Intro to Experimental Psychology and the Scientific Method Chapter 1
2(1/25) Research Ethics Chapter 2
3(2/1) Alternatives to Experimentation: Nonexperimental Designs Chapter 3
4(2/8) Alt to Experimentation: Surveys and Interviews Chapter 4
5(2/15) Alt to Exp: Correlational and Quasi-Experimental Designs. Chapter 5
6(2/22) Formulating the Hypothesis Chapter 6
7(2/29) The Basics of Experimentation Chapter 7
8(3/7) Spring Recess; Writing the Research Report Chapter 16; Group Paper Due
9(3/14) Solving Problems: Chapter 8
10(3/21) Basic Between-Subjects Design Chapter 9
11(3/28) Between- Subjects Factorial Design Chapter 10
12(4/4) Within-Subjects Design Chapter 11
13(4/11) Within-Subjects Design: Small N Chapter 12
14(4/18) Why We Need Statistics Chapter 13
15(4/25) Analyzing Results Chapter 14
16-17 (5/3-
5/10)
Drawing Conclusions; Finishing the Research Paper Chapter 15; Research Paper Due
CLASSROOMPROCEDURESAND GRADING CRITERIA
NO CELLPHONE USE, FOOD/DRINK (WATER OK), TALKING, OR WEB-SURFING IN CLASS
Monday is our LAB day. As we will be in a room with computers, this day will be reserved for doing class exercises relatedto
the week’s topic or the group proposal and your research paper. These in-class exercises will be graded and counted toward
your final grade. There will be 13 in-class assignments.
Wednesday is our LECTURE day where I will discuss and answer your questions for the topic that week. We will also have
quizzes almost every week which will count toward your final grade. If all quizzes arecompleted, only your top 10 will be
considered for the final grade. Everyone else will have only their lowest grade dropped when considering the final grade.
Tips for doing well in class: -START EARLY with readings and papers –READ textbook and write notes –Bring your questions to
class over the material you read for the week –Keep context in mind when ingesting facts –Coming to EVERY class
Criteria for grading:
Research Paper 35% of final grade
Group Paper 25% of final grade
In-Class Assignments 20% of final grade
Quizzes 20% of final grade
Total 100%

3. Source: NDSU Academic Affairs Committee Updated: 09/26/2014
ATTENDANCESTATEMENT
Although attendance in classes is expected, it will not be taken. I urge you to come to all classes as this will increase your
chance of earning an ‘A’ for the course.
AMERICANSWITH DISABILITIES ACT FORSTUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSTATEMENT
Any students with disabilities or other special needs, requiring special accommodations in this course, are invited to share
these concerns or requests with the instructor.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT
The academic community is operated on the basis of honesty, integrity, and fair play. Students found guilty of academic
misconduct are subject to penalties, up to and possibly including suspension and/or expulsion.