COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

Psychology Program

Course Title: EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY LECTURE Credit Units: 3

Course Code: PSY 210 Lec Prerequisite Course/s: Psy 1, Psy 234

Course Description:

This is a three unit course on the philosophy of science that deals with scientific approach, experimental
methodologies, design and statistical techniques as applied to different areas in Psychology.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Express their understanding of the basics of experimentation as applied to the different experimental
designs
Verbally identify and discuss how to control extraneous variables in experimental research and in real life
situations, and apply experimental strategies in finding solutions to lifes challenges after graduation.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the complex issues inherent to the scientific
understanding and application of the Basics of Experimentation
Show concrete/observable, relational and academic improvements as a result of gaining insights from
Experimental Research Techniques
Demonstrate greater appreciation in utilizing the lessons from Experimental Psychology research, in living
out the principles of the controlled experimentation in the real world.

Content Outline:

A. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Science and the Scientific Approach

a. The Need for Scientific Methodology
b. Characteristics of Modern Science
c. Objectives of Psychological Science
d. Tools of Psychological Science
e. Scientific Explanation in Psychological Science
2. Ethics in Psychological Research
a. Research Ethics
b. The Importance of Informed Consent
c. The American Psychological Association Guidelines in Using Human and Animal Subjects
d. Fraud in Science
3. Sampling
a. Probability Sampling
b. Non-probability Sampling

B. BASICS OF EXPERIMENTATION

1. Experimental Hypothesis and its Characteristics

2. Models in Formulating Hypothesis
3. Basic Experimental Concepts
a. Types of Variables
b. Guidelines in Identifying Variables
c. Operational Definition of Variables
d. Evaluating Operational Definitions
e. Extraneous Variables
4. Experimental Control

C. CONTROL OF EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES

1. Physical Extraneous Variables

2. Social Extraneous Variables
3. Personality Extraneous Variables
4. Context Extraneous Variables

D. BASIC EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

1. Definition of Experimental Design

2. Guidelines in Selecting Experimental Design
3. The Experimental Design
a. Pre-experimental Design
b. True Experimental Design
c. Quasi-experimental Design
4. Basic Between Subject Design
a. Selecting and Recruiting Subjects
b. One Independent Variable: Two Group Designs
c. Two Independent Groups
d. Two Matched Groups
e. Multiple Groups
5. Between-Subject Factorial Design
a. More than One Independent Variable
b. Laying Out a Factorial Design
c. Choosing a Between-Subject Design
6. Within-Subject Designs
a. Within-Subjects Factorial Design
b. Mixed Designs
c. Advantages of Within-Subjects Designs
d. Disadvantages of Within-Subjects Designs
e. Controlling Within-Subjects Designs
7. Within-Subjects Designs: Small N
a. Small N Design
b. ABA Design
c. Multiple Baseline Design
d. Changing Criterion Designs
e. Discrete Trials Designs
8. When to Use Large and Small N Designs

E. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS: THE SEARCH FOR THE ELUSIVE BOTTOM LINE

1. Validity of Experiments
2. Types of Validity
3. Handling a Non-significant Outcome
F. WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT

1. The Written Report: Purpose and Format

2. Major Sections
a. Abstract
b. Introduction
c. Method
d. Results
e. Discussion
f. References
3. Looking at a Journal Article
4. Preparing Your Manuscript: Procedural Details

Basic Reading:
Myers, Anne and Hansen, Christensen (2015). Experimental Psychology. Seventh Edition. Singapore: Cengage
Learning

Extended readings:
Cosby, P. C. (2010) Methods in Behavioral Research. Seventh Edition. Mountain View California: Mayfield
Publishing House.
Kantonwitz, B. H., and Elmis, D. G. (2009) Experimental Psychology: Understanding Psychological Research. Seventh
Edition. USA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning Asia.
Martin, D. W. (2007). Doing Psychology Experiments. Fifth Edition. USA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning Asia.
McGuigan, F. J. (2006). Experimental Psychology: Methods of Research. Sixth Edition. Engel Cliffs, New Jersey:
Prentice Hall Co.

Web-based reference:
Current Journals in Psychology with Experimental Designs in Scientific Researches
Recent APA Journals with Experimental Researches

Grading system:

60% Class Standing (Online activities, Quizzes, long examinations, recitation, take home tasks, group works, etc.)
40% Preliminary / Final Examination
100% Total

Attendance and participation are vital to the learning experience. Consequently, students are expected to be at
each class having read the assigned material and ready to participate in the days discussions and exercises. Please
be in the class on time.

All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately, and in a manner that supports a maximum learning
conditions, honest evaluation of learning outcomes and grades that truly reflect students performance. It is
ultimately the students responsibility to listen and comply with instructions regarding the completion of
assignments, exams, and other academic activities. At a minimum, students should assume that at each
assessment opportunity they are expected to do their best and original academic work and / clearly acknowledge in
an appropriate fashion the intellectual work of others, when such contributions are necessary.