This course provides an introduction to the problems and methods of
doing research in psychology, using students' own experience with their
honors thesis as the primary vehicle. The thesis research is the most
important part of the course.  You and your research sponsor will bear the
main responsibility for the research, but class discussion of your project
at its various stages will help you develop and refine your project in a
supportive non-competitive environment.  Your research will be
time-consuming, and the seminar will not meet on all scheduled days,
except towards the end of the semester, when members will make oral
presentations of their research proposals to the seminar.  You will
also present a written version of your research proposal.  Your research
sponsor will help you select a project that has scientific merit and
can probably be completed given the available time and resources.
However, you will take the major initiative in developing the background
for your project, designing it, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting
the data, and preparing the oral report and the written honors thesis.
The earlier you get started on your project, the better.  In addition, the
seminar will discuss the following issues: research methods, ethics of
research, practical aspects of doing research, using readings as guides
for class discussions.  Each member of the seminar will be responsible for
reporting on at least one such paper and leading discussion on chapters
from Stanovitch. The end product of your participation in the seminar will
be your Honors Thesis.  The best guide for the format is a completed
Honors Thesis or PhD Thesis.   At the end of the second semester you will
make a 15-20 minute presentation to the seminar and to invited guests:
friends, other students in your lab, family, and faculty.  This
presentation is modeled after the presentations made at scientific meeting
and provides practice for your future presentations at such meetings.
When your thesis reaches its final form, you will defend it orally before
a committee including your research sponsor, the instructor of P499, and
another faculty member.  You will deposit a bound copy with the Psychology
Department and with the Honors Division.  Many students will also
present their research to the scientific public through publications in a
professional journal and/or at a scientific meeting. Text:  American
Psychological Association, Publications manual of the APA. Stanovich,
K.E., How to Think Straight About Psychology. Tests and Grades: Most
people take P499 for 3 to 6 credits per semester. Most get an "R"
(grade deferred), because the thesis is not complete. When your committee
accepts your thesis, the "R" will be converted to a letter grade, which
will depend on class participation, sponsor's evaluation, oral reports,
and written reports.  The department will then certify you for Graduate
with Honors in Psychology.