Psychology 4070 Research Experience in Developmental Psychology

Winter 2022

Instructor: Dr. Jamie Drover

Office: SN3094 Phone: 864-8383 (I won’t be in while in-class instruction is suspended)
email: jrdrover@mun.ca Please contact me using this email address NOT using Bright Space.
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00 - 12:00, or by appointment

Prerequisites: Psychology 3050 and Statistics/Research Methods

The course will be a practical introduction to research in child development and will cover several
critical aspects of conducting real-life scientific research including the generation of research ideas,
research methodology, data analysis, quantitative methods, ethical issues, critical analysis, proposal
writing, and formal written and oral presentation of research findings.

The course will consist of lectures to cover critical topics in developmental research. There will also be
weekly meetings to discuss research papers. In total, there will be four research papers. The first will be
a naturalistic online observation of a pre-schooler. The second will be a research paper on a
hypothetical data set provided by the instructor. The third will be an experimental research paper. Note
that if in-person testing is not permitted due to COVID-19, this paper will also be on a hypothetical data
set. The final assignment will be an experimental research paper on a topic chosen by the student. If in-
person testing is still not permitted, the student will create their own hypothetical data set.

For this final assignment, the student will write a formal ethics proposal and also provide an in-class
Power Point Presentation. If in-class instruction is still suspended, this presentation will be done one-
on-one with the course instructor via Webex.

Text: There is no text.

Evaluation: Assignment 1 10%

Assignment 2 20%
Assignment 3 20%
Ethics Proposal 5%
Assignment 4 25%
Presentation 20%

How We Will Proceed

This course is designed for in-class instruction, but in the short-term, lectures will be delivered via
Webex. We will follow an asynchronous schedule (see the course calendar) and online lectures will be
provided during your regular class time. All lectures will be recorded. If the university closes (e.g.,
snowstorm) while we are in remote delivery, the class will go ahead. Check the BrightSpace website for
updates.
Once we return to in-class instruction, following campus-wide policy, masks are required for all
students in the classroom. Should other health directives, or the overall situation connected to
COVID-19 change over the course of the term, we will return to remote delivery to ensure that the
course will continue and to minimize disruption to the student experience. If this transition occurs, you
will be notified via Brightspace regarding the revised lecture schedule. Note that students will need to
have access to a networked PC or Mac computer with webcam and microphone, for remote delivery of
the class. The university has published minimum computer requirements that you can review. Please
note that assignments will not be cancelled if we must return to remote learning.

There is nothing more important than your mental and physical health. Doctors’ notes are not required
for medical absences in this course. You are encouraged to seek appropriate medical attention from the
Student Wellness and Counselling Centre.

To protect yourself and those around you, it is important to stay home if you feel unwell or if you are
under quarantine because you have been potentially exposed to the virus. Please keep me informed so
we can work together to allow you to keep up with the course materials should you need to miss classes.
You will not be penalized if you need to stay home for quarantine. Memorial University has recognized
the importance of academic leniency as we work to keep our campus safe for all.

Assignments

Lab 1: Will consist of an observation(s) conducted on a pre-schooler(s). I will provide you with a link
to a Youtube video(s) of a pre-schooler(s). You will complete a naturalistic observation(s).

Lab 2: Will consist of a research paper in which you analyse and report on a hypothetical data set that I
will provide on a topic of my choice.

Lab 3: Will consist of a group experiment conducted on an 8-year-old boy. Each group member will
hand in a separate paper.

If in-person testing is still suspended, I will provide you with hypothetical data on a topic of my
choosing and you will analyse the data and write an APA paper.

Major term paper (Lab 4): Due last day of classes. Note also that the major research paper requires a
formal ethics proposal that is to be submitted to (and approved by) the Department of Psychology Ethics
Committee. This must be completed and approved before the research can begin. The study will be
presented in class.

This is an independent research project that will be done on your own participants. If in-person
testing/instruction is still suspended you will create your own hypothetical data set and you will analyse
the data and write an APA paper. Your presentation will be done one-on-one with me via Webex.

Rules and Regulations: Assignments will be submitted into assignment folders on Bright Space. Late
submissions will be penalized immediately by 10% per day.
Also, please see the following link regarding plagiarism.

https://www.mun.ca/psychology/undergrad/Plagiarism.pdf

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Memorial University of Newfoundland is committed

to supporting inclusive education based on the principles of equity, accessibility and collaboration.
Accommodations are provided within the scope of the University Policies for the Accommodations for
Students with Disabilities (www.mun.ca/policy/site/policy.php?id=239). Students who may need an
academic accommodation are asked to initiate the request with the Glenn Roy Blundon Centre at the
earliest opportunity (www.mun.ca/blundon).

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to adhere to those principles which constitute proper
academic conduct. A student has the responsibility to know which actions, as described under Academic
Offences in the University Regulations, could be construed as dishonest or improper. Students found
guilty of an academic offence may be subject to a number of penalties commensurate with the offence
including reprimand, reduction of grade, probation, suspension or expulsion from the University. For
more information regarding this policy, students should refer to the University Regulations for
Academic Misconduct (Section 6.12) in the University Calendar.