Introduction

Aims of Research in Psychology
Variables in Psychological Research
Differentiating Reliability and Validity
Operational Definitions

Preparing for Research

Defining a Researchable Question
Locating Reports of Past Research
Critically Analyzing Research Reports
Synthesizing Past Work
Ethics of Research in Psychology

Research Methods in Psychology
Observation

Characteristics of Scientific Observation
Problems in Conducting Observations
Recording Observational Data
Interobserver Reliability
Naturalistic Observation
Observation with Intervention
Issues in Planning Observations

Surveys
Survey Research

Basic Concepts in Sampling
Stages in Questionnaire Design
Ordering & Wording of Questions
Types of Survey Questions

Written Questionnaires

Analyzing Survey Results
Analyzing Open - Ended Questions
Cross Tabulations
Written Questionnaires

Interviewing

Interviewing Guidelines
Types of Interviews
Sources of Errors in Interviewing

Experimentation

The Logic of Experimental Design
Steps in Conducting An Experiment
Different Types of Experimental Designs
Type of Experiments

Analyzing Research Results

Measures of Central Tendency
Inferential Statistics
Constructing Graphs
Preparing Tables
Analyzing Survey Results
Analyzing Open - Ended Questions
Cross Tabulations
Using Computer Statisitics Packages
Creating a Spreadsheet

Reporting Research Findings

Writing Research Papers
Making Effective Oral Presentations of Research Outcomes