St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan Department ...

from it, and (b) implications for future research or application of the findings, if the hypotheses are supported or not
supported by the data. The typed proposal must be double spaced with one inch margins. The assignment must be
submitted on-line through the Blackboard system. Students must keep a paper copy incase the system fails and the
instructor requests a paper copy. It is recommended that students consult the APA manual or Chapter 10 in the
Miller (2007) text for further guidelines.
5. Final Report Due date: 2 April. Weight: 40%.
The final report must be submitted individually. Therefore different grades are anticipated. The write-up includes,
in this order: Title page, Abstract page, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References, Tables (if any),
Figures (if any), and Appendices. The Introduction and Method will normally be the same as in the proposal, with
minor revisions. The Discussion section should include discussion of implications and limitations of the findings,
and specific suggestions for further research. This report must be formatted in APA style and on-line through
Blackboard. A second, paper copy should also be submitted. Evaluation of the final research report will be based on
the student’s ability to follow the guidelines provided, completeness, accuracy and clarity of information,
understanding of information, ability to incorporate information from class, provision of a novel component to the
research in social/emotional development, the strength and completeness of theoretical framework, rationale, and
methods, and ethics, writing style (spelling, grammar etc.), and use of APA format. See the evaluation sheet in the
Appendices. Please submit a copy of the evaluation sheet in your on-line submission.
6. Poster display Due date: 26 Mar. To be presented to class mates (undergraduate lab class poster
presentations not yet set but likely to be the end of the first week of April.). Weight: 10%.
The purpose of this requirement is to give students the opportunity to experience how research is presented at
scientific conferences, and to discuss findings and to ask questions pertaining to their research with peers. Each
project (group or individual) will be presented via a poster. The plan is for several lab courses to be presenting
posters on the same day. You can use the space on the poster in any way you wish. The poster can be assembled
from separate pages. Use large fonts and point form. Good tips on poster design can be found using a web search
(e.g., http://lorien.ncl.ac.uk/ming/Dept/Tips/present/posters.htm ) and will also be discussed in class.
Students have the option of printing their poster on the poster printer owned by the Department of Psychology, see
http://www.usask.ca/psychology/forms/PosterPrintingGuidelines2004.pdf . By the time of need, this information
may be updated. Please check the website. It is expected that one poster will be made by each research group
(individually or in pairs/ small groups).
Students are encouraged also to submit their poster for display at the annual undergraduate psychology research
conference at the end of April. However, this will not be considered as part of PSY-316.
Collaboration with another student
As indicated above, students with similar interests are to work in pairs (groups of two) to complete the Research
proposal and subsequent steps. For any group project, the full proposal and the final report must be submitted with a
covering letter to the instructor (a) saying who contributed what to the proposal/project and (b) the completion of the
partner evaluation sheet in the Appendix. The instructor should be informed early, preferably by e-mail, of any
difficulties that may arise in group collaboration.
Handing in assignments and review of drafts.
Note that you are encouraged to hand in assignments early and therefore a “hand-in strategy” is needed. The
Blackboard system records your hand-in time. Three ways to hand in the paper copy of the final report are as
follows: (a) Hand in your material at the beginning of class on or before the due date. Mark penalties for late
submission start at 9:10 a.m. (b) Put the material in an envelope under my office door, STM 136. (c) Hand in at the
STM Dean’s office (Room 146) during office hours, in an envelope with my name on the outside – the assignment
will be date-stamped and given to me next business day.
I have a heavy-duty stapler so there is no need for you to staple your material if it is thick. Please
do not use an assignment cover or folder. I am generally willing to review and provide brief comments on drafts
submitted not less than one week ahead of the due date. Under five pages: submit by e-mail. Five pages or more:
submit on paper.
Marking scheme and deadlines
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