Research Methods in Social Psychology and Allied Fields

This course will focus on the methodological foundations of research in social psychology and allied fields, and on the background scientific and career decision-making that fosters strong research in these fields. It will focus on such topics as: why do science; how to develop research ideas and formulate a research program; classic experimental design; experimental approaches to social problems - the Lewinian tradition; the choice between laboratory, on-line, field and intervention research strategies; the role of theory in methodological choices; how to build experiments that reflect the real world; crafting IV's and DV's; the many routes to statistical power; the precautions of research hygiene; refining theory - generalizing and replicating; research productivity and the life of a research psychologist, effective approaches to writing.