Students devlop increased competence in research methodology and statistical analyses.
Objective
Research Competency
Students demonstrate knowledge and skills related to competency in research methodology and statistical analyses.
Indicator
Research Project
Students' production of original research. This program is considered to be a research-oriented program. Therefore, all students in the program will either complete a research thesis or will have been engaged in a faculty member's program of original research along with having taken Psychology 588, Advanced Experimental Design.
Criterion
Research Project
Students will demonstrate research competency when they either have completed a thesis or have enroll in PSY 588, Graduate Experimental Design, along with having partaken in a faculty members research.
Finding
Research Competence
One student graduated and one is scheduled to graduate in August 2010 from the General MA program. Of those students, one currently is writing a thesis with the other having completed Psychology 588. Thus, all students have demonstrated research competence.
Action
Research Competence
The criterion was met. We continue to be concerned about maintaining a research-oriented program. Therefore, as each new-student cohort enters the program, the students will be given information on the research interests of each faculty and presented with research possibilities. This will occur upon their arrival on campus. As we did this past year, the incoming students will be encouraged to not only write a thesis but also to enroll in the Experimental Design course at the graduate level. Thus, more students will have both taken a research design course and completed a thesis.
Goal
Foundation Competence
Students develop broad-based knowledge and competence in the scientific, theroretical, and conceptual foundations of general psychology.
Objective
Foundational Competency
Students demonstrate competency in the areas of general psychology through synthesis and integration of scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations.
Indicator
Comprehensive Exams
Students demonstrate through a written comprehensive examination their ability to integrate the areas of general psychology.
Criterion
Pass Comprehensive Examination
100% of students must pass comprehensive examination prior to graduation. Students are given a written exam of which they must complete 5 or 7 questions listed. Criteria for passing are: the student must provide integrative responses that reveal an understanding of the information and experiences to which they have been exposed; they must provide complete references for all works cited using proper APA style; they must demonstrate their knowledge of the science in the field and support their answers, arguments, theories, logic, etc. with scientific research studies when applicable. Each question will be scored on a pass-fail basis by two faculty members who have expertise in the particular area. An example of the comprehensive examination is attached.
Finding
Foundation Competence
Two students in the MA program took the comprehensive exam, one passed (50%) and graduated and one (50%) failed the exam.
Action
Foundation Competence
Fifty percent of the students, 1/2 passed comprehensive exams. The one who failed met with the graduate advisor and will petition the dean to be permitted to retake the exam. She has been advised as to strategies to help in the successful completion of this task. The student also has been advised to consider other programs at the University.