Lecture Slides: Samples Representing the Population with the Use of M&Ms

04. Psychologist’s Toolbox: Sampling, Measurement, Reliability, & Validity, 05. Probability and the Distribution of Sample Means / , , , /

This PowerPoint leads students through an activity that stresses the need to have a relatively large sample when trying to accurately represent the population.Instructors will need to supply students with fun size bags of plain M&Ms®. Students first estimate the population frequency of each color of candy using their small sample (fun size bag). Then […]

Lecture Slides: Samples Representing the Population with the Use of M&Ms Read More »

Activity: Orange You Glad for Descriptive Statistics?

02. Frequency Distributions and Visual Displays of Data, 03. Measures of Central Tendency & Variability / , , /

This is a lab or classroom activity “Oranges Are the New Statistics“(created by Kathrine Frey Frøslie) that has students peel oranges and collect data from various aspects of the experience (e.g., number of wedges, speed of peeling, weight of oranges, etc.) Students then use this data to calculate descriptive statistics such as central tendency, and

Activity: Orange You Glad for Descriptive Statistics? Read More »

Online Activity: Simulation of Sampling Distributions

04. Psychologist’s Toolbox: Sampling, Measurement, Reliability, & Validity, 05. Probability and the Distribution of Sample Means, 07. Hypothesis Testing with a Distribution of Means, Statistics / , , , /

This Java applet (created by Dr. David Lane) estimates and plots the sampling distributions of various statistics based upon the user’s specified population distribution, sample size, and statistic. The simulation and its associated questions can be used as either homework assignment or as an in-class activity for those classes with access to computers with Internet

Online Activity: Simulation of Sampling Distributions Read More »

Link: FiveThirtyEight.com’s Hack Your Way to Scientific Glory

*Data Ethics, *Open Science, 02. Frequency Distributions and Visual Displays of Data / , , , , , , /

This website lets you take the wheel and play with several different parameters during data analysis. By defining who you’re sample is, how you measure economic performance, an what other variables you factor in, you’ll get to see how it impacts results. Sure enough, after a few tries you’re virtually sure to get “publishable” findings.

Link: FiveThirtyEight.com’s Hack Your Way to Scientific Glory Read More »

Resource: Learning Statistics with JAMOVI

*Statistical Software Packages, Statistics / , , /

This is a very basic/brief statistics textbook by Dr. Danielle Navarro and Dr. David Foxcroft. It includes an easy to follow section on using JAMOVI with instructions and screenshots. If you’re new to JAMOVI this is a fantastic resource. Please click here for the free file. To download JAMOVI, click here.

Resource: Learning Statistics with JAMOVI Read More »

Link: Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS)

*Data Ethics, *Open Science / /

From The Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS) Mission Statement: The Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS) brings together scholars working to improve methods and practices in psychological science. Anyone interested in improving psychological research is welcome to join, regardless of experience. SIPS is a service organization aiming to make psychological science higher

Link: Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS) Read More »

Online Activity: Open Science in Psychology

*Data Ethics, *Open Science, Research Methods, Statistics / , , , , , , , , /

A set of lecture slides (created by Dr. Benjamin Le) entitled, “Open Science in Psychology: Why, What, & How.“ This stylish slide deck reviews the problem (i.e., the replication crisis) including several examples of failed replications, questionable research practices, and provides potential solutions (e.g, using open science concepts). Please click here for the file.

Online Activity: Open Science in Psychology Read More »

Example Syllabus – Statistics with Lab

**Stats Syllabi, Statistics / , , , /

A sample syllabus for an introductory statistics course. Though this course has a lab, that content could also go into the lecture portion of the course, or incorporated as something students do outside of class as group projects. The syllabus also describes a statistical presentation assignment, as well as a Statistics Portfolio where students curate

Example Syllabus – Statistics with Lab Read More »

Empirical Article: Is It Worth Updating Your Methods Course?

Research Methods / , , /

This paper describes the approach we took when revamping our methods course. These are the features that we have highlighted on this site and in our textbook. Please click here to read the full article. Ciarocco, N., Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., & Van Volkom, M. (2013). The impact of a multifaceted approach to teaching research

Empirical Article: Is It Worth Updating Your Methods Course? Read More »

Exemplar Study: Evaluating Meals on Wheels (Program Evaluation)

13. Program Evaluation, Research Methods / /

This paper describes a process evaluation conducted for a local Meals on Wheels program. In doing so, the researchers sought to address 4 key issues: 1) identifying key program components; 2) extent of component implementation; 3) volunteer satisfaction; 4) how to improve the program.  Based on their findings they suggested means for improvement. Mye, S.

Exemplar Study: Evaluating Meals on Wheels (Program Evaluation) Read More »

Lecture Slides: Listen to the Music (Mixed Design Demonstration)

12. Mixed Design, 12. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA), Research Methods, Statistics / , , , , /

In this activity all of the students in class have the opportunity to listen to five different songs,and provide ratings of how energized they feel after each song. Instructors would need to insert the five music clips into the PowerPoint (details provided on the slide below). For the between-subjects variable, students are randomly assigned to

Lecture Slides: Listen to the Music (Mixed Design Demonstration) Read More »

Online Activity: Factorial Design Concepts Review

11. Factorial Design, 13. Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Research Methods, Statistics / , , , /

This interactive application (created by Dr. Marcie Desrochers and Dr. Sara Margolin) provides supplemental instruction on factorial research designs that students enrolled in a Statistics or Research Methods course in psychology can complete as homework or on their own. It consists of 10 pages of definitions, examples, and images, and 11 quiz questions that help

Online Activity: Factorial Design Concepts Review Read More »

Practice: Calculating the t-test for Paired-Samples/Dependent Means (Thinking Logically Over Time)

09. Introduction to t-Tests: The Single Sample t-Test and t-Test for Dependent Means, 10. Within-Subjects Design, Research Methods, Statistics / , , , /

Instructors should assign this problem (about graduate programs training students to think logically) to students as in-class practice or homework after students have learned how to calculate a t-test for dependent means and test for significance. The activity leads students through determining the type of statistical analysis to use, the hypotheses, calculating the t-ratio and

Practice: Calculating the t-test for Paired-Samples/Dependent Means (Thinking Logically Over Time) Read More »

Lecture Slides: Something You Will Like (Multigroup Design Demonstration)

09. Multigroup Design, 11. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Research Methods, Statistics / , , , , , , , /

In this demonstration/activity (with PowerPoint slides) students are randomly assigned to one of three groups. Those in Group 1 are the picture only condition and simply view the pictures. Those in Group 2 eat cookies while looking at the pictures. Those in Group 3 eat candy while looking at the pictures. The Instructor would need

Lecture Slides: Something You Will Like (Multigroup Design Demonstration) Read More »

Exemplar Study: Smells Like Clean Spirit (Two-group Design/Simple Experiment)

08. Two-Group Design, 10. t test For Two Independent/Unrelated Samples, 11. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Research Methods / , , , , , , , , , /

In three studies, the authors examined unconscious influence of smell on behavior. Study 3 used a two-group design to examine the direct effect of citrus scent (exposed vs. nonexposed) on cleaning-related behaviors. The judges recorded the frequency of participants’ crumb removal while eating. Holland, R. W., Hendriks, M., & Aarts, H. (2005). Smells like clean

Exemplar Study: Smells Like Clean Spirit (Two-group Design/Simple Experiment) Read More »

Activity: That’s So Meta…Student Generated Course Evaluations

07. Correlational/Survey Research, 14. Correlation, Research Methods / , , /

In this activity (created by Dr. Jacquelyn Omelian) students practice designing survey questions by creating courseevaluations. Students alternately serve as both researchers and participants, andthe results from the activity allow instructors to assess the pedagogical classroomenvironment while illustrating survey methodology. Please click here for the file.

Activity: That’s So Meta…Student Generated Course Evaluations Read More »

Activity: The Alien Ethnographer

05. Qualitative Research, 06. Observational Research, Research Methods / , /

This activity provides students with the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the role that qualitative research, more specifically ethnographic field research, has when studying human behavior. This activity is best assigned as a small project which students can work on either individually or in small groups. Having students conducting this activity in small

Activity: The Alien Ethnographer Read More »

Activity: Threats to Internal Validity: Smarties vs. Dum Dums

04. Psychologist’s Toolbox: Sampling, Measurement, Reliability, & Validity, Research Methods / , , /

This activity helps students remember potential sources of threats to internal validity, through an in-class activity where students engage in an “experiment” with several intentional threats to internal validity. Students identify the threats and get candy. Easily one of our students favorite activities. Please click here for the file.

Activity: Threats to Internal Validity: Smarties vs. Dum Dums Read More »

Activity: Ethics in Psychological Research

03. Ethics: Making Ethical Decisions in Research, Research Methods / , , , /

This in-class activity (created by Dr. Jamie S. Hughes) may be used with upper level undergraduates or new graduate students in research methods courses. It is designed for use with small collaborative groups and requires about 50 minutes of class time. Students will apply their knowledge about Belmont principles, APA ethical guidelines, and IRB review.

Activity: Ethics in Psychological Research Read More »

Activity: Research Idea Diary

02. The Research Process: Ideas to Innovations, Research Methods / , , , , /

This activity takes students(individually or as part of a group) through a series of steps to generate research ideas from their daily experiences. Next, students have the opportunity to select a research design that can test their idea. Please click here for the file.

Activity: Research Idea Diary Read More »