PSY 300 - Research Methods

This guide will help you get started with your research for your semester-long project in PSY 300. It is specifically designed to help with assignment A, but will be useful throughout the course.

For Assignment A: Summarizing A Single Resource each student will find a relevant, empirical article (See: Finding Your Article) from a mainstream psychology journal and produce a concise and comprehensive summary of the article. You will find the following steps on your assignment handout:

1. Identify the predictions or hypotheses of the study (and any relevant theory).
   • See: Evaluating Your Article
2. Identify the method used and briefly describe the necessary details,
   • See: Evaluating Your Article
3. Identify and classify the independent and dependent variables (conceptual and operational).
   • See: Evaluating Your Article
4. Summarize the results and the degree of support they offer for the hypotheses.
   • See: Evaluating Your Article
5. Write our the full APA-formatted reference for the article you chose.
   • See: Citing Your Article
6. Which search method did you use to locate this reference?
   • See: Search Strategies
7. What type of information does this reference represent?
   • See: Finding Your Article
8. What makes this specific reference not just a source of information on the topic, but more precisely a good and relevant source of information?
   • See: CCOW Source Evaluation

While this guide assembles a few resources that may be useful in your studies, it is far from comprehensive. If you need research assistance, CWU Libraries is here to help!

• Send an email and a librarian will follow up with you in 1-2 business days.
• Schedule a research consultation with a librarian.
• Chat with a librarian 24/7 using the chat box below.