Readings
Reading assigned articles and chapters is required. We will discuss most or all of them in class. Reading the chapters and articles should improve your understanding of the material, performance on assignments, and ability to use the literature as a health service psychologist.
Article Critiques
We will read methodological and empirical articles outside of class and discuss them in class, focusing primarily on methods, statistics, results, and issues related to cultural and individual diversity (such as sampling methods, populations of inference, sample demographics, and results related to demographics). For articles noted in the schedule, students will submit an Article Critique (1-2 pages), doing the following. Put headings into your paper and then address them with one paragraph each for that article.
- Summarize the main conclusions and/or suggestions of the article.
- Explain how the article is important for therapists.
Statistical Reports
We will analyze data in class and outside of class. Students will write three APA style reports of results and interpretations of their findings. Specific instructions will be given in class.
Research Proposal
Students will write a research proposal for a study using non-experimental methods. Your research proposal may relate to your proposal from PSY 6700 and/or your professional project. It should include a title page, abstract, introduction with a literature review with a research question/hypothesis (1-4 pages), a detailed methods section (2-5 pages), results section with expected findings (1-3 pages), and references section. Your proposal should discuss participants and recruitment, a target sample size backed by a power analysis, measures, a description of the research design, specific data analysis plans, predicted outcomes, limitations/potential problems with the study, including threats to internal validity, and proposed solutions. Students will register their proposed project on the Open Science Framework. Proposals will explicitly discuss cultural and individual diversity when describing sampling methods and proposed statistical analyses. Students will present their proposal to their classmates at the end of the semester during the final exam period.
IRB Application
Students will also prepare an IRB application for their project, for which they will complete the IRB application form and all relevant documentation as if submitting to the SUU IRB, including an informed consent form and CITI training certificate. The IRB application will be submitted to the instructor.
Grading
Grading is based on the Student Grading Policy for the SUU Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Students must earn a grade of “B-” or higher on each of the formal evaluations. Your grade will be determined by your performance on the following:
Grades are out of 1000 points. Here is the grade scale:
A | 93 - 100%
A- | 90 - 92.9%
B+ | 87 - 89.9%
B | 83 - 86.9%
B- | 80 - 82.9%
C | < 80%