A Microcomputer Laboratory for Experimental Psychology

为了充分利用最近为拟议实验室分配的空间，要求提供资金用于研究模板和统计分析软件、微型计算机局域网和教室数据投影系统。 实验心理学的专用微机实验室1）支持认知课程新实验室的持续发展，2）允许部门最大限度地发挥政府最近为该实验室分配的空间的影响，以及3）集中和扩大实验室资源，以增加在三个目标课程中接触心理学科学方法的实践，实验设计和统计推断，认知实验室，心理学研究问题。建立一个专门的微机实验室，为学生在这些课程更好地为他们的心理学职业生涯做好准备，因为目前的情况下，一个学院范围内的，开放使用的实验室，是一个积极探索研究设计和分析活动的环境不足。此外，委员会认为， 该项目扩大了可能的研究活动，并促进了学生指导的数据收集和分析。在这些目标课程中占大多数学生的妇女和占30%专业的少数民族，在这些课程中取得的成功尤其增强了她们的能力。评估包括自我报告和行为数据，将当前情况与拟议的变化进行比较。该计划的基本前提是让学生获得扎实的研究设计和统计学背景，因为他们被要求使用这些信息，而不仅仅是阅读这些信息。学生在参加了这个专门实验室提供的三门课程后，对科学导向的实验工具更具竞争力和理解力。

To capitalize on the recent allocation of space for the proposed laboratory, funds were requested for research template and statistical analysis software, a local area network of microcomputers, and a classroom data projection system. A dedicated microcomputer laboratory in Experimental Psychology 1) supports the continued development of a new Laboratory in Cognition course, 2) allows the department to maximize the impact of the administration's recent space allocation for this laboratory, and 3) centralizes and expands laboratory resources in order to increase hands-on exposure to the scientific method in psychology in the three targeted courses, Experimental Design and Statistical Inference, Laboratory in Cognition, and Research Issues in Psychology. Establishing a dedicated microcomputer laboratory for students in these courses better prepares them for psychology careers because the current situation, a College-wide, open-use lab, is an inadequate environment for actively exploring the research design and analysis activities. Furthermore, this project expands the research activities possible and facilitates student-directed data collection and analysis. Women, who comprise the majority of the students in these targeted courses, and minorities, who make up 30% of majors, are especially empowered by their successes in these courses. Evaluation includes both self-report and behavioral data comparing the current situation with the proposed changes. The basic premise of the proposal is that students gain a solid background in research design and statistics because they are asked to make use of such information rather than just read about it. Students become more competitive and savvy about science-oriented laboratory tools after having participated in the three courses to be offered in this dedicated laboratory.