The Department of Psychology requires that students in certain psychology classes participate in ongoing research conducted by advanced psychology students and by faculty members. The experience is meant to provide students with a better understanding of psychological research. Students in PY 101 and PY 102 are required to: (a) participate in 2 research studies during the semester; or (b) submit 2 reports on articles from professional journals; or (c) participate in 1 research study and submit 1 report. This requirement constitutes 5% of your total grade for the course.

During approximately the fourth week of the semester, notices of research studies will be posted on the large bulletin board between the Psychology Department office (Scully Room 404) and the northwest stairway of the 4th floor of Scully Building. Notices will describe the research, and you may choose the research studies you sign up for.  You may participate in any given study only once.  If you participate in a study more than once you will not receive credit for the second and subsequent sign-ups. Pay attention to the name and the assigned number of each study.  When you sign up, you will be asked to indicate your name and the name of the instructor for whom the research will be completed. Be sure to pay attention to the day, time, and place that the research study will be held. Also, be sure to obtain a “reminder slip” which indicates the date, researcher’s name and phone number. You must keep this reminder slip until you see that you have received credit for participating in the study. The names of students who have participated in the research projects will be posted every other week; be sure to check this list to ensure that you have received credit for your participation. If your participation credit does not appear on this list, bring your reminder slip to Scully 404 and we will check the records. This will be your responsibility. If an emergency prevents you from attending the research session, be sure to call the researcher prior to the session or you may log onto the No Show web page at www4.semo.edu/psychology/NoShow.htm and fill out the form completely. Either of these options must be done PRIOR to the time of the session.

Students who fail to arrive at the assigned time and location to participate in a study for which they signed up will be required to make up the missed session (in the same or a different study) and they will also be required to complete an additional study. A student who exceeds 2 “no-shows” will receive no participation credit points and will not be eligible to participate in further studies.  A student who signs up for more than 1 session of a particular research study on more than 2 occasions will receive no participation credit for any study.

EX. If you have zero “no-shows” your requirement is 2 studies

EX. If you have one “no-show” your requirement is 3 studies

EX. If you have two “no-shows” your requirement is 4 studies

EX. If you have three “no-shows” you will receive no credit and are no longer eligible to participate even if you have participated in studies.

If you choose not to participate in research studies, you will be required to submit a typed one-page paper for each research participation requirement. If you participate in one research study, you will be required to submit one paper. If you participate in no research studies, you will be required to submit two papers. Each paper must be based on the content of an article in a professional psychology journal (not a newsstand magazine). The topic of the paper must be approved by your instructor and must be submitted to your instructor by the last day of the twelfth week of the semester. (No exceptions)

All research participation and/or paper requirements must be completed by Friday, November 13, 2009 for the Fall 2009 semester.

Students who fail to fulfill the requirements will receive zero credit from their instructors for that class activity (5% of the total class grade).