Psychological Measurement and Prediction



Psyc492(450): Research Methods & Data Analysis Cal Garbin Burnett Hall 214/230

cgarbin@unl.edu

Office hours Mon, Wed & Fri 12:30-1:20 in 230 Burnett Hall & Zoom

Course Materials: All course materials are available on-line at:

Introduction to the Course:

Whereas Psychology 350 was designed to give you skills helpful in completing your undergraduate training,

Psychology 450 is designed to better prepare you for the very rigorous training you will receive in graduate school, or the challenges of employment in Psychology or some related field, and to practice all of it, a lot.

You might not be planning a career as a research psychologist, and many professional psychologists do not themselves contribute to the research literature. However, all psychologists must be competent "consumers" of the psychological literature in their area of expertise, whether it be clinical, counseling, consulting, educational, law-psyc, I/O, human resources, human factors, or some other area of psychology.

Also, most jobs held by professional psychologists require a substantial amount of data analytic skill and report writing ability, whether it be to document decision making, to obtain funding, to provide evidence for the efficacy of service delivery, or to contribute to the professional literature.

In addition, the ability to produce competent, theoretically relevant empirical research is usually the "ticket for admission" to a career as a professional psychologist. Completion and presentation of your own independent research (say, an Honors Thesis or presentation/poster at a student research conference) is often helpful evidence that you can "do research" when applying to graduate school. Most Ph.D. programs require at least two empirical research projects (the Master's thesis and the Ph.D. dissertation).

Topics of the Course:

1) experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research designs, 2) data analysis using ANOVA & ANCOVA models, 3) communication of research results, interpretation and integration in written, oral, multi-media and web-based formats.

Course Grade

Your grade will be based upon exam scores (30%), laboratory assignments (30%), webpage (10%) and lab proposal/project (30%; 40% if we don’t do web pages). Please note: changes during the semester's activities may necessitate changes in grade composition). Attendance and participation in lecture and laboratory will be noted and used in the assignment of the final grades, especially decisions about “borderline cases”. Grades will generally be assigned using the ranges: 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, and 59-0 = F. Also, "+" grades will be assigned for the upper two percentage points of each grade range (e.g., 88-89% = B+), except for an “A+” which requires a score above 99%. And "-" grades will be assigned for the lower two percentage points of each grade range (e.g., 90-92% = A-).

Please note: You must complete all laboratory assignments to get a passing grade in this course.

Exams, Re-takes and Make-up Exams

Exams will be some combination of written exams taken in the Testing center, in-lab and take-home.

Re-takes will be available for all exams. Because there are re-takes, there are no make-up exams.

Lecture and Laboratory Meetings

The lectures will be a combination of instruction and demonstration, as well as review and discussion of the various complexities and difficulties that naturally arise while learning material such as this. The laboratory meetings will be mostly “drill & practice”, working with the statistical packages, and working toward “fluidity” with the different models.

Proper Care & Treatment of your Laboratory TAs

Your TAs will generally work more hours per week on this class than will you (remember, everything you write they grade for many of you!). Some of the course material they know extremely well and use every day, while other parts they might have recently learned for the first time. Either way, they have taken on the responsibility of helping me to teach you this material!! Be nice to them and use their feedback to get better! The TAs are required to enforce the rules and policies for the laboratory detailed below!! So, don’t ask them to let you slide, excuse you, give extensions, alternatives, to get out of anything, or to do your work for you – they are not allowed to grant these requests. Come see me and try to talk me into or out of anything you like. If I think it is in your best interest you’ll get your way, if not, you won’t. Remember (with apologies to Kirsten Dunst), “This is not a democracy. This is a statsocracy!!”

Laboratory Data Analysis Project

The data analysis project will be to propose and complete an analysis of a research question using the appropriate application of one of the statistical models covered in this class (details will be given in class/lab). You will either use one of the databases that will be made available for your use or one that you supply with my permission. The result of the project will be a research report and either a poster or a multimedia presentation. The hope is that you will apply to present your project at one of the undergraduate conferences held locally or regionally.

Course Workload and Suggestions

When taking Psychology 350, you might have been told that little of the material in that course was difficult, but that the difficulty of the course came from the sheer amount of material and the need to remember and apply large portions of it at any one time. By contrast, much of the material covered in the present course is just plain hard!!! Also, there is much material and you will need to remember and apply large portions of it at any one time. Many of the topics, examples, and assignments are the same ones that I use in the graduate research design and analysis course, because the purpose of this course is to get you to that "graduate" level of performance. For some of you, this will be the last formal presentation of this information you ever receive. For others, this is your best opportunity to prepare yourself for the rigors and demands of graduate school. With these things in mind…

You should expect to "do something" for each class and laboratory meeting. It may be reading, data analysis homework, “story problem” homework, web-based exercises, reviewing your notes, preparing for exam reviews, report writing, whatever. Sometimes this will require only an hour or two, other times it will require more.

While the “mastery system” (see ABOUT THE "RE-TAKE" OPTION…, below) allows you to re-do exams and some assignments, time will be a limiting factor. You should try very hard to get it right the first time, and only rely upon “do overs” when your best efforts are insufficient. At those times, you should be sure that you prepare for the “re-do” (and don’t be shy about asking me for help!!). Don’t expect that the second “do” will, by itself, guarantee an improved score.

I suggest that you do not take this course as part of a "really busy semester". While I realize that you have other classes and other commitment’s beyond schoolwork, to take full advantage of the learning opportunity provided by this course (and getting the A to prove you have done so) will require a considerable commitment of your time and energy.

BOTTOM LINE: Plan to make this course "part of your life" for the next few months! Think about the material daily. Figure ways to apply the skills you are learning to other psychology courses. Actively change and broaden the way you think about measurement, sampling and data analysis – the assumptions, the goals, etc.

If you can't give me at least 15 hours a week (and sometimes a bit more), save yourself – get out now!!

With Apologies…

What follows are a whole bunch of rather draconian (paternalistic, fascist, whatever) rules and penalties. I don’t like schedules and deadlines, and I really don’t like having this many rules, but they seem to be necessary to get all of you through a demanding body of material. Basically it all boils down to three thing: 1) be on time (both lectures and laboratories, 2) have with you what you need to do what is planned (handouts, lab assignments, etc.), and 3) get your work done on time.

Lecture Attendance and Assignment Policies

• You are expected to attend all of each of the lecture meetings. Also, you are responsible for all take-home assignments that are discussed during lecture meetings or are posted on the webpage, including changes in the substance and/or requirements of those assignments.

• If you must miss all or part of a lecture meeting, you should contact me at least the day before the expected absence and make arrangements for an excused absence. You are responsible for obtaining any take-home assignment from the meeting that you miss and having it completed by the next lecture meeting. You will not be able to make up any in-class assignment, but will not be penalized for missing that assignment.

Laboratory Attendance and Assignment Policies

• You are expected to attend all portions of each of the meetings of the specific laboratory section in which you enrolled. Also, you are responsible for all take-home laboratory assignments that are discussed during laboratory meetings or are posted on the webpage, including changes in the substance and/or requirements of those assignments.

• If you are late for a laboratory meeting or don’t have the handouts and assignments you need to fully participate in the laboratory, your TA will deduct 10% from the associated in-class and take-home assignments.

• If you know in advance that you must miss all or part of a laboratory meeting, you should contact the TA at least the day before the expected absence and make arrangements for an excused absence. You are responsible for obtaining the in-laboratory and take-home assignments from the meeting that you miss and having it completed by the next laboratory meeting.

• If you do not make arrangements for an excused absence, you will not be able to make up any graded in- laboratory assignments that you missed. You are responsible for obtaining the take-home assignment from the meeting that you miss and having it completed by the next laboratory meeting.

• The TA has permission to allow each student only one excused absence. Any additional excused absences must be arranged with me and will be allowed only if it is caused by illness or if it is professionally or educationally relevant (e.g., a job interview or attending a research conference, respectively), and if it is not attributable to poor scheduling or planning on your part.

• In-laboratory assignments will usually be handed in at the end of the laboratory meeting. On other occasions you will be instructed to take them with you to complete, or to provide information for a related take-home assignment.

• Be sure to ask if you are not sure whether to hand in an in-laboratory assignment or to take it home and hand it in at the next laboratory meeting. In-laboratory assignments that are not handed in on time will not be graded.

• All take-home laboratory assignments are due the beginning of the laboratory meeting after they are assigned. 10% will be subtracted from you assignment grade if you hand in the assignment latter that day and 10% for each additional week the assignment is late.

• An assignment that is handed in at the beginning of the laboratory meeting during which it is due may be rewritten and the higher score will count toward your laboratory grade. Re-writes of these take-home assignments will be due according to the TAs announcement when returning the graded work.

• A take-home assignment that is handed in late may not be rewritten..

Academic Honesty

The consequences for cheating on any examination or assignment, or plagiarism (e.g., the use of unreferenced material in any laboratory writing assignment) will be: 1) failure in the course, and 2) referral of the matter to the office of Student Life for possible action by the Judicial Board as provided for in the UNL Student Handbook.

The issue of academic dishonesty for homework and laboratory assignments is somewhat less clear, and requires more of an explanation. The purpose of the homework and many of the laboratory assignments is to give you a chance to practice various skills (reading, interpreting, computing, and writing). Thus, it makes good sense for you to work together with other members of your class. However, the final product you submit must be your own work and in your own words.

An example or two should help: You are strongly encouraged to get together with your classmates perform the SPSS analyses of most of the laboratory assignments. However, when you write your answers on the homework sheets, put them in your own words. Similarly, you will probably find it useful to get together and discuss how to best incorporate the information from a set of laboratory readings into the Introduction of an assigned paper, and you are encouraged to do so. However, when you write that introduction do your own writing.

Evidence of dishonesty on any homework or laboratory assignment (including exact or very similar phrasing, order of topics, examples, computational examples, patterns of mistakes, etc.) will be addressed via a two step process: The first time “an incident" occurs we will discuss it and you will have the opportunity to re-do the homework assignment. Any additional "incident" will lead to: 1) failure in the course, and 2) referral of the matter to the office of

Student Life for possible action by the Judicial Board as provided for in the UNL Student Handbook.

Here’s the thing!

There is much we are supposed to accomplish in this course ! Not really enough time to do it! And the current “troubles” don’t make things easier! What you need from me is support! Lectures, zooms, videos, websites, powerpoints, audio files, handouts and all that are provided to help, but sometimes what you will really need is a moment with me to get something explained so that you “get it”!! So, when you need help – ask for it! Content, schedules, assignments, things away from this class… If you need something, please ask. There are going to be office hours M-W-F in person in 230 Burnett, or by Zoom. And don’t forget email (cgarbin@unl.edu – please, not Canvas Notifications) Give me a shot at helping, please! And, less-than-timely requests are also very welcome! Sometimes we get behind and can waste huge amounts of time trying to “recover on our own” when a couple reminders or a couple questions answered will get you on your way so you are “spending time” not “wasting it”! Ask! Please!

Here are good places to learn about the (tons of) details that are supposed to be represented in the syllabus!

The instructions and help for faculty (let’s go directly to the source):



Attendance:



Students who are sick or who are engaging in self-quarantine in accordance with guidance from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department or their health care professional should not physically attend in-person classes. They must notify the instructor of their absence and must still meet the stated engagement expectations of the course, and they must adhere to the usual codes of conduct and rules of academic integrity that remain in place. For students who are absent for these reasons, we ask instructors to be flexible with any attendance policies they may have for their courses. Again, students in this situation must still fulfill the engagement expectations of their classes and should follow the stated guidelines for their courses in communicating with their instructors and staying current in the coursework. If the majority of the course work is completed but the absence makes it impossible for the student to adequately complete all course requirements, a grade of incomplete may be an appropriate option. Note, however, that if the student has not already completed most of the graded work for the course, then a late withdrawal would be more appropriate than an incomplete.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options privately. To establish reasonable accommodations, I may request that you register with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). If you are eligible for services and register with their office, make arrangements with me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so they can be implemented in a timely manner.  SSD contact information:  117 Louise Pound Hall; 402-472-3787.

Counselling and Psychological Services





UNL offers a variety of options to students to aid them in dealing with stress and adversity. Counseling and Psychological & Services (CAPS)Links to an external site.; is a multidisciplinary team of psychologists and counselors that works collaboratively with Nebraska students to help them explore their feelings and thoughts and learn helpful ways to improve their mental, psychological and emotional well-being when issues arise. CAPS can be reached by calling 402-472-7450. Big Red Resilience & Well-BeingLinks to an external site. (BRRWB) provides one-on-one well-being coaching to any student who wants to enhance their well-being. Trained well-being coaches help students create and be grateful for positive experiences, practice resilience and self-compassion, and find support as they need it.  BRRWB can be reached by calling 402-472-8770.

Classroom Climate

Because the topics in this course may be emotionally charged or challenging for class members, I hope we can create an environment that is both intellectually productive and supportive for all. I realize there might be days when class members may choose to be silent. Beyond verbal participation, your active and supportive listening is also an important and valuable form of participation. I hope that we will continuously reflect upon our class processes so that we can build an inclusive intellectual community where all feel valued and supported in their learning.

This will be really important for us! The description of each “sample” and “represented population” will involve, at a minimum a description of the “age, race & sex” of participants. Each of those is a whole topic in itself! We have to be able to talk forthrightly about these topics, to explore the history, current approaches and likely future of these “descriptors”!! And there will be several other sensitive parts – ethics, researcher motivations, etc. So, we gotta find, as a group, a balance between “comfort & coverage”. Be sure to let me know when we’re bumping up against one of the other! Here’s a thoughtful bit recently written by the Chair of psych, “The pandemic and our current political polarization mean that stress is high for everyone. We obviously can't change that but showing empathy and compassion for each other can help. Listen to one another, be aware of other people's needs, and cut each other slack.”

Face Coverings

As of July 17, 2020 and until further notice, all University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers, and others) are required to use a facial covering at all times when indoors except under specific conditions outlined in the COVID 19 face covering policy found at: . This statement is meant to clarify classroom policies for face coverings:

To protect the health and well-being of the University and wider community, UNL has implemented a policy requiring all people, including students, faculty, and staff, to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose while on campus. The classroom is a community, and as a community, we seek to maintain the health and safety of all members by wearing face coverings when in the classroom. Failure to comply with this policy is interpreted as a disruption of the classroom and may be a violation of UNL’s Student Code of Conduct.

Individuals who have health or medical reasons for not wearing face coverings should work with

the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (for students) or the Office of Faculty/Staff Disability Services (for faculty and staff) to establish accommodations to address the health concern. Students who prefer not to wear a face covering should work with their advisor to arrange a fully online course schedule that does not require their presence on campus. Students in the classroom:

1. If a student is not properly wearing a face covering, the instructor will remind the student of the policy and ask them to comply with it.

2. If the student will not comply with the face covering policy, the instructor will ask the student to leave the classroom, and the student may only return when they are properly wearing a face covering.

3. If the student refuses to properly wear a face covering or leave the classroom, the instructor will dismiss the class and will report the student to Student Conduct & Community Standards for misconduct, where the student will be subject to disciplinary action.

Instructors in the classroom:

1. If an instructor is not properly wearing a face covering, students will remind the instructor of the policy and ask them to comply with it.

2. If an instructor will not properly wear a face covering, students may leave the classroom and should report the misconduct to the department chair or via the TIPS system for disciplinary action through faculty governance processes.

*Courses that have been granted an exception to the Face Covering Policy for pedagogical reasons are excluded. Exceptions to the Face Covering Policy are only granted after an approved health safety plan is developed.

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