PSY 3393 – Experimental Projects

Dr. Jay Dowling TA: Rajasekhar Byrapureddy

GR 4.202 GR 4.808
972-883-2059
jdowling@utdallas.edu rajreddy@hotmail.com
hours: T 4-5 hours: T 5:30-6:30

turnitin.com password:

This is the third in the sequence of quantitative methods courses at UT/D. It is the laboratory
component of what is usually called Experimental Psychology, complementing the lecture
components in Research Strategies and Statistics. It functions as the Advanced Writing course in
Psychology. The main thing we will do in the course is write three APA-journal-article-style
papers, each about 12-14 pages long. Those must be typed (double-spaced). We will also learn to
analyze data using the SAS statistical package on the computer, and there will be a some
homework exercises that you are expected to do.

Attendance. This is a laboratory course, and attendance is important for certain meetings (marked
with an asterisk: *). On other dates we will be available for help and consultation, but there will be
no formal lecture. Because you will not be in the habit of coming to class eve ry week, you must be
especially vigilant in coming to class when it is required. Mark your calendars.

Handout Sample. There is a handout providing an outline of the type of paper I expect you to
write that includes examples of how to do that. Please send me an e- mail during the first week of
class, and I will send you the handout as a .doc attachment via return e-mail.

Papers. The main requirement in this course is three papers in standard APA-journal-article form.
For grading the third paper will be weighted somewhat more heavily than the first two. If you want
early feedback on a particular section or the whole paper (as with the first Method section) you can
e-mail it to Dr. Dowling. There is no limit on the number of revisions you can do before submitting
a paper formally for a grade. Submission should work very well if you use a Word .doc attachment.
(Otherwise use a .txt file, or copy it from a .txt file into your e- mail. Do not use .wps files, since our
computer systems cannot interpret them. Word Perfect will output a .txt file if you ask it to.) Papers
should be submitted formally to Dr. Dowling via e- mail and also sent to turnitin.com by the due
date (more details later). Papers may be revised for (one hopes) an improved grade. After receiving
feedback on a formally submitted paper you have two weeks to submit a revision (rigid deadline).
date event
Aug 23* Introduction - writing psychology articles - finding a model—computer lab I
30* computer lab II—Working title of first paper due—bring model paper to class
Sept 6* Draft of first Method section due (submit by e- mail)
13* feedback on draft - more on writing articles
20*
27* First Paper Due
Oct 4* feedback and planning second paper
11
18
25
Nov 1 Second Paper Due
8* feedback
15
22
29 Third Paper Due

Checklist of often-overlooked minimum requirements of a research report :

§ Turn in the finished paper as a Word .doc attachment to Dr. Dowling, and simultaneously
submit it to turnitin.com. You will be able to receive a grade and feedback on the paper
after you do that.
§ Refer to at least two references you have consulted. At least one of those must be a journal
article reporting empirical research (primary archival source—that is, not a website nor a
popular magazine article nor a book). You must bring copies of your sources to class on the
due date of the first paper.
§ Be consistent in the style of your references.
§ Report the results of an appropriate statistical test.
§ Include at least one table or figure and refer to it appropriately in the text.
§ Do not use passive voice more than once in your paper.