Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Statistics and Research Design II (Face-to-Face)

PSY 6705-01

Course: PSY 6705-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 12941

Course Description

This is the second and final course in the sequence on Statistics and Research Design. This course covers statistical inference, including null hypothesis testing and its alternatives; correlational designs and quasi experimentation; quantitative, mathematical modeling and analysis of psychological data; multivariate statistics; statistical power; replication; estimation; and meta-analysis. Students learn to interpret and evaluate elements of research design and statistical analyses and their applicability in health services psychology. Students also learn and practice conducting various types of statistical analyses such as statistical description, power estimates, meta-analyses, and linear modeling, along with univariate and multivariate analysis techniques. We will also discuss research ethics, questionable research practices, and open science. Demonstration of the ability to formulate a research proposal is required. Attention is paid to issues related to individual and cultural diversity, ethics, and research with vulnerable populations.

Required Texts

  • Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics, 5th Edition. Sage.
  • other readings as provided

Learning Outcomes

Profession Wide Competencies: Research

Element #1. Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., critical literature reviews, dissertation, efficacy studies, clinical case studies, theoretical papers, program evaluation projects, program development projects) that are of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base. Outcomes are measured as part of PSY 6705 for its project proposal, which is scored using the project proposal rubric, with passing requiring B- level performance on all five dimensions.

Course Requirements

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.
  1. Summarize the main conclusions and/or suggestions of the article.
  2. 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% 

Course Outline

Introductions & Syllabus | None
Clinically-relevant Evidence 
Internal & External Validity
Stat. Inference, Estimation, CIs
Statistical Power
Replication
NHST Alternatives, QRPs
Meta Analysis
Correlation
Regression
Mediation, Moderation, Categorical Predictors
Ordinal DVs
Chi-square, Loglinear Analysis
Logistical Regression

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late submissions require instructor approval.

Attendance Policy

Attendance. Attendance and attention in class is required. Attendance should improve your understanding of the material, performance on assignments, and ability to use the literature as a health service psychologist. If you are ill or instructed to isolate or quarantine, you may contact the faculty member to discuss possible alternatives to attending in person, such as attendance via zoom or recording the class meeting, but evidence of your illness or other status may be required.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.