Research Project

PSYC-598

Summer (Fall) 2003

                                                

 

Instructor: Jeremy Jewell, Ph.D.               Class Location:  Alumni Hall, Room 0333

Office: Alumni Hall, Room 0124                Class Times: Wednesdays 9:30-11

Office Hours: Fridays 2-4 or by appointment

Phone: (618) 650-3734

Email: jejewel@siue.edu

 

Required Texts:

 

1.   Pan, M. L.  (2003).  Preparing Literature Reviews:  Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches.  Pyrczak   Publishing:  Los Angeles, CA.

 

Course Description and Goals:

 

Students in the school psychology track must complete a research project for the M.S. degree.  They complete the thesis requirement (Psyc 599) during the Specialist Program. In the event that a student has completed a thesis in another program for the M.S./M.A. degree, the student will complete the research project for the SSP degree at SIUE.

 

The goal of the research project is to critically review the psychological literature in a specific area in which the student plans to conduct the thesis research.  The paper must include a discussion of three main areas for that specific topic, i.e. theory, research, and application.  The paper should begin with a discussion of general theory followed by those theories specifically associated with that topic.  Relevant research studies should be summarized.  Application of the topic to educational/clinical settings should be discussed in detail. 

 

The final research project is a research paper that should be between 35 and 50 pages in length (double spaced), formatted according to the APA Publication Manual (5th Edition), and bound in a plastic folder.  The final copy will be placed in the Psychology Department Resource Center.  Major sections of the paper include the following:  Cover Page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Review of the Literature, Statement of the Problem, References.

 

Classroom Format

Class time will be spent discussing particular issues in researching, structuring, writing, and editing students’ research papers.  Students may also be asked to meet individually with the instructor to discuss these issues as well 

 

Grading

 

Students’ grades will be determined according to their adherence to the timelines and structure of the various assignments.  Assignments that do not adhere to the page limits, etc. will not be accepted.  Late assignments will accrue a 10-point penalty for every day late.  Students will receive 50 points for each assignment listed below.

 

 Final grades are as follows:

 

                    370+ points  --  A

            340-369   points  --  B

            310-339  points  --  C 

                    <310 points  --  F

 

Assignments

 

Topic

            Students will complete a paragraph description of a tentative topic for their research project.  The focus and breadth of the topic should be appropriate.

 

Reference List

            Students will complete a beginning reference list for their research project.  Students should compile a minimum of 8 references. 

 

Outline

            Students will complete a tentative, but detailed, outline of their research project.  This outline should have various references embedded within it.  Total number of references at this point should be a minimum of 12 references.

 

Annotated Bibliography

            An annotated bibliography must be completed, consisting of a review of 3-5 seminal articles on the topic.  Each review in the annotated bibliography should be 1 ˝ to 2 ˝ pages in length.

 

First Third (1/3)

            Students are to complete a rough draft of the first third of their research paper.  This paper should be at least 10-15 pages in length.

 

Second third (2/3)

            Students are to complete a rough draft of the first two-thirds of their research paper.  This paper should be at least 20-30 pages in length.  Edits made on first 1/3 should be incorporated as well.

 

Rough Draft

            Students are to submit a complete rough draft of their research paper that includes all sections as described above. (35-50 pages in length).

 

Final Draft

            Students are to submit a final draft of their research paper.  This final draft should incorporate all changes suggested by the instructor.  Some students may need to submit more than one rough draft in order to produce a final draft that is acceptable.  Given this, students should allot enough time for multiple drafts and seek guidance from the instructor regarding their timeline.

 

Due Dates

 

DATE

ASSIGNMENT

5/28

Chpts 1 & 2

Topic

6/4

Chpts 3 & 4

6/11

Chpts 5 & 8

References

6/25

Outline

7/9

Annotated Bibliography

8/8

First 1/3 of paper.

9/19

Second 2/3 of paper (along with first 1/3).

10/31

Complete rough draft

12/5

Final Draft

 

 

Additional Requirements

 

Perfect class attendance is expected.  Any student needing to be absent due to an emergency should contact the instructor as soon as possible regarding the absence.  More than one absence may result in the student’s removal from the class.  Students must complete all assignments in order to receive a grade in the course.

 

 

Department of Psychology Policy on Incomplete Grades and Withdrawal - It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by the dates set by the University if the student is not intending to complete the course. Students who do not withdraw and have not completed the course will receive an Unauthorized Withdrawal (UW). Only under special circumstances a faculty member may agree to give a student an Incomplete (INC) grade in order to allow the student to complete the remaining work for the course not later than the end of the following semester. An INC is never automatic but must be approved by the instructor. If an instructor agrees to give a student an INC grade, the instructor and the student will fill out a form (Memorandum of Incomplete Grade) indicating why an INC is being given. One copy of the completed form will be given to the student, one copy will be given to the instructor, and one copy will be kept by the Department of Psychology secretary. If the work is not completed by the time specified on the Memorandum of Incomplete Grade form, the grade will be changed from INC to F.