Psychology Research Experience

During the progress of this course, you will write a research paper or complete a series of mini-projects that serve as the equivalent to the paper.  If you choose to write the paper, this page will serve to guide you.

Your paper will be handed in and presented during the final week of class. While working on it, you will be required to meet with me often in order to discuss your progress. The paper, worth 300 points of your final grade, should be a learning experience both in terms of your topic and in learning how to do research and how to write well. The steps for the successful completion of the paper are drawn out below.

Step 1 - Choose a topic or select the mini-projects option – at this point, choose some topic that you have an interest in. This topic will have to be adjusted, narrowed and changed throughout the process. Go to topics list now to see some of your choices.  See this page Mini-Projects for information regarding the requirements for the mini-projects.

Step 2 - Explore your topic or begin on the mini-projects.  If you are starting the mini-projects, you no longer need this page.  Follow the directions on the Mini-Projects page.  For the research paper – be sure that you can find enough source material to write about your topic. Complete the top of the Research Agenda/Log and hand it in.  Begin to think about places to narrow it to something manageable. Keep an accurate log of all that you search. You will hand in your log with the paper and it will count toward the research and effort component.

Step 3 - Begin to collect/evaluate sources – scholarly articles are best for this type of project, but a few books and some internet research may help as well. This is a good time to begin to write some initial thoughts.  See this page "How to Write My Paper."

Step 4 - Write an initial bibliography – save the bibliography and then save a copy of it.

Step 5 - Take notes from your sources according to particular subtopics. As you take notes, be sure to document what source each note comes from, and what page it comes from.

Step 6 - Build an outline.

Step 7 - Write your first draft. This step is crucial to the successful completion of the paper. I will help you edit your first and second drafts and make your paper read well.

Note: Please consult with me often during the project. We will spend significant time in class on the paper, but considerable effort on your time is also necessary. I hope that the process helps you in your learning and understanding of psychology.