University Classes:
Honors/Supervised Research Seminar

SYLLABUS:
Seminar for Supervised Research (Psychology 497-498)
Honors Research (Psychology 487-488)


OBJECTIVES

To facilitate undergraduate psychology majors' conducting faculty-supervised research projects.

To provide an informal forum for students to discuss, problem-solve, and receive constructive feedback about their research projects. Inherent in this goal is the promotion of skills in critical and analytical thinking.

To provide students a "formal" opportunity to present the results of their work.

SEMINAR FORMAT

The seminar will meet once every two weeks, except at the end of the semester when student presentations may require 2-3 consecutive weeks.

In a supportive, problem-solving environment, students will report on their plans, progress, and difficulties related to their projects. Each student is expected to participate actively in discussing his/her own project and those of other students.

Dr. Cash will facilitate discussion and offer information and suggestions to aid students' completion of their faculty-supervised projects.

During the final consecutive weeks of the semester, each student will present his/her completed project to the class and to invited supervising faculty.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students will meet regularly with their supervisor and plan or carry out an appropriate research project. Students should be active in seeking and obtaining this regular supervision.

Students will attend and actively participate in the seminar. It is recommended that, when possible, students attend any Psychology Honors Thesis defenses.

Students will submit an APA-style paper that documents the project, which may be a research proposal or a completed study.

At the end of the semester, students will formally present this product in the seminar. The time allocated for each student's presentation is 15 minutes, plus 5 minutes for questions and discussion. The paper is due at that time.

STUDENT GRADES

Final grades are jointly assigned by the supervisor and Dr. Cash based on:

  • 50%: The supervisor's evaluation of the student's performance in conducting the research and writing a paper on the project.
  • 50%: Dr. Cash's evaluation of the student's attendance and participation in the seminar (20%), the student's formal presentation of the results of theproject (20%), and the submitted paper (10%).

Grading is on an A to F scale, with appropriate plus and minus qualifiers.

To receive a grade (other than an Incomplete), students enrolled in Psychology 487 (Honors I) are also expected to present their proposal to the Psychology Honors Committee. Students enrolled in Psychology 488 are also expected to defend their thesis to that Committee.

DISTINCTION BETWEEN SUPERVISED RESEARCH & HONORS STUDENTS

Honors students complete one semester of Supervised Research (497) and then have two semesters of Honors Research (487 and 488). They are expected to present their initial research proposal in the seminar and present their final thesis in the seminar (i.e., when they are enrolled in 488). The thesis proposal and thesis are also formally presented to the Psychology Honors Committee. Honors students are expected to be especially active participants, as role models, in the seminar.

PRESENTATION GUIDELINES IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR

Your actual presentation should last NO LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES. This is crucial! So practice and time your presentation before giving it.

Give your presentation standing at the podium/desk in front of the class. The use of notes is very wise. Merely reading your paper aloud is unwise. Again, practice ahead of time!

We will not interrupt you during your presentation, unless seeking clarification of something that is unclear. Allocate these approximate amounts of time to the facets of your presentation:

  1. Introduction: Foundation and rationale for the study--about 4 minutes
  2. Methodology and Hypotheses--about 5 minutes
  3. Results or Expected Results (with Statistical Analyses)--about 5minutes (less if you don't have your data yet)
  4. Conclusions/Implications of Results or Expected Results--about 1 min.

Your use of prepared (typed/graphic) overhead transparencies is strongly recommended. For example, you might have one or two transparencies for each of the four facets listed above. Handouts are optional.

After your presentation, we'll take 3 to 5 minutes for questions and discussion.

Each of your classmates will anonymously complete a brief "constructive feedback sheet," which you will receive at the end of class.

Don't worry about getting anxious. It's normal to feel nervous while presenting (especially at first). That's okay. Relax--nobody expects you to be perfect or anxiety-free.

BE SURE TO INVITE your faculty research supervisor to your presentation. Unless they have a schedule conflict, they are expected to attend.

To have all student presentations during the last two or three weeks of the semester, we may need to extend our time 15 or 20 minutes beyond the allotted class period.

All papers are due at the last class meeting! Be sure you also gave a copy to your supervisor!