PSYC197A/B: Directed Research Syllabus
Course Description (see CMC course catalog)
This course is a research practicum with a Psychology faculty member, focusing on different aspects of scientific psychological research, including experiment design, data collection, literature review, data analysis, and conference presentation or manuscript preparation.
This class differs from PSYC199 CM - Independent Study in Psychology in that the research must be part of the faculty member’s continuous line of inquiry within that faculty member’s research lab.
Students may register for:
- 0.25 credit (at least 5 hours per week; 8-10 page paper or equivalent academic work)
- 0.5 credit (at least 10 hours per week; 15-20 page paper or equivalent academic work)
- PSYC197B CM (non-credit) – Students must fully participate in lab activities but do not submit a research paper.
Maximum of 1 credit may count toward graduation.
Course Expectations & Responsibilities
Research Activities
RAs will participate in:
- Literature Searches: PsycInfo, ResearchRabbit, Zotero
- Data Collection: CITI certification, SonaSystems, participant management
- Experiment Programming: PsychoPy, Python, JavaScript, Qualtrics
- Data Analysis: R, RStudio, Git, GitHub
- Communication: Regular updates via Discord and GitHub
Time Commitment:
- 0.25 Credit: 5 hours/week
- 0.5 Credit: 10 hours/week
- PSYC197B CM (Non-credit): Full participation required
RAs must be professional, reliable, punctual, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
Weekly Work Log Requirement
RAs will submit a weekly work log every Sunday at 11:59 PM. The work log should include:
- Dates & Hours Worked
- General Tasks Completed
- Issues Encountered & Solutions
- Next Steps for the Following Week
Professionalism & Workplace Readiness
Why Professionalism Matters
- Research labs function like professional workplaces – deadlines, communication, and responsibility matter.
- Many graduate schools and employers request letters of recommendation that assess professional skills.
- Poor communication and missed deadlines negatively impact opportunities.
Expectations
- Treat Research Like a Job – Complete work on time and ask for help when needed.
- Communicate Clearly – Respond to messages within 24-48 hours.
- Be Accountable – Keep records, follow through on assignments, and update work logs.
- Maintain Data Privacy – Data cannot be stored on unauthorized cloud servers (e.g., Google Drive).
Failure to meet these expectations affects grading and recommendation letters.
Lab Meetings & Communication
- Meetings: Every two weeks, Fridays 12:30-1:30 PM. Attendance is required.
- Primary Contact: Discord
- Project Management: GitHub
Academic Work & Lab Policies
Final Research Contribution
| Credit | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 8-10 page research paper (or equivalent) |
| 0.5 | 15-20 page research paper (or equivalent) |
| Non-credit | No research paper required |
Data Privacy & Intellectual Property
- All work is intellectual property of the Cognition and Data Visualization Laboratory.
- Data must not be stored on cloud servers (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box) unless approved.
- Data files must be deleted from personal computers after lab duties end.
Evaluation & Grading
Grading: High-Pass/Pass/No-Pass
| Component | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Participation & Professionalism | Attendance, communication, engagement in lab activities | |
| Research Contributions | Completion of research tasks (literature review, experiment design, data collection, programming, analysis) | |
| Final Research Contribution | Research paper or equivalent project |
There is no formal breakdown in percentages. RAs generally know when they are working honestly and when they are not. Failure to complete tasks, unreliable communication, or lack of responsibility negatively impacts grading and recommendation letters.
Final Research Submission
Due Date: [Final Deadline]
Course Policies
Professionalism & Responsibility
- Treat this course as a professional research role.
- Unreliable communication, missed deadlines, and incomplete work negatively affect evaluations and recommendations.
- Research requires discipline, accountability, and teamwork – essential skills in any career.
Collaboration & Independence
- Collaboration is encouraged, but students must demonstrate independent work ethic.