PSYC 485 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

COURSE NUMBER:

PSYC 485

COURSE TITLE:

Senior Research Project

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Leanne Willson

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 0 - hrs sem 1 - hrs lab 3)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this course students initiate a research project, designed in consultation with the instructor. This project may be a research project in the laboratories at the University College, a community-engaged project with a public agency, or a psychological literature research project, individually, or as part of a team. Other ventures are possible. Requirements for the project will vary according to methodology and research question; the student is required to conduct a literature review, develop a detailed proposal, and initiate research. Project completion, including `publication' of the results in the form of a poster, public presentation, or paper, will occur in PSYC 495.

Prerequisites: PSYC 302, 398

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Lab life	20%
Assignments	30%
Major course outcomes	50%

	100%

COURSE OUTLINE:

Attendance, Preparation, & Participation. The class meets once a week for a one hour seminar. This hour will
be used to address issues and research progress common to the group. Additionally, each student must meet
with the course instructor once a week at an agreed-upon time to set and evaluate goals, and to ensure project
progress. Meetings with faculty project supervisors (not necessarily the course instructor) must be set regularly
at agreed-upon times. These project meetings may include other students or lab “mates” depending on the
faculty project. Students will be evaluated regularly on attendance, preparation for all meetings, and
participation in group seminars and meetings. We’ll call this “Lab life”.

Assignments. Expect small assignments every week or larger assignments every few weeks. These assignments
will lead us toward the goal of becoming thoughtful, educated, ethical researchers. They will also lead us
toward the expected course outcomes – a full research literature review, a research proposal, and initiation of
research. The nature of the assignments may vary depending on the specifics of the project in which each
student is engaged.

As there is no final exam in this course, the evaluation of your preparation and participation, assignments and
the major course outcomes (which will vary by project) will make up your grade in this course.

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.