This course will focus on the methodological foundations of research in social psychology and allied fields, and on the background scientific and career decision-making that fosters strong research in these fields. It will focus on such topics as: why do science; how to develop research ideas and formulate a research program; classic experimental design; experimental approaches to social problems - the Lewinian tradition; the choice between laboratory, on-line, field and intervention research strategies; the role of theory in methodological choices; how to build experiments that reflect the real world; crafting IV's and DV's; the many routes to statistical power; the precautions of research hygiene; refining theory - generalizing and replicating; research productivity and the life of a research psychologist, effective approaches to writing.
3-5 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
This course will focus on the methodological foundations of research in social psychology and allied fields, and on the background scientific and career decision-making that fosters strong research in these fields. It will focus on such topics as: why do science; how to develop research ideas and formulate a research program; classic experimental design; experimental approaches to social problems - the Lewinian tradition; the choice between laboratory, on-line, field and intervention research strategies; the role of theory in methodological choices; how to build experiments that reflect the real world; crafting IV's and DV's; the many routes to statistical power; the precautions of research hygiene; refining theory - generalizing and replicating; research productivity and the life of a research psychologist, effective approaches to writing.
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.