This course will help students develop advanced skills and knowledge necessary for research design and implementation, which includes conducting a literature search and thinking critically about existing research. This course will help students understand seemingly contradictory findings and identify gaps within the literature. This course is ideal for students who intend to work in a research-oriented field either independently or as part of a team. Additionally, this course will help students learn to clearly and effectively communicate research narratives to diverse audiences. Typically offered: Autumn.

This course will help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to operationalize variables, identify appropriate ways to measure variables, and think critically and ethically about research design. Students will learn the connection among research questions, theoretical frameworks, hypotheses, and methodology. This course is ideal for students whose intend to work in a research-oriented field either independently or as part of a team. Additionally, this course will help students learn how to clearly and effectively communicate research narratives to diverse audiences. Typically offered: Winter.

This course will help students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to develop a solid, fundable grant proposal for future research or program start-up or enhancement. This course is ideal for students whose goals include doctoral program enrollment and/or working with nonprofit and government agencies where grant writing skills are necessary to support research and/or program activity. Additionally this course will assist students who work with and/or supervise grant based programs or agencies and wish to acquire greater knowledge of how the grant process works. Grant-writing knowledge and expertise are increasingly important for psychologists whose work involves research, clinical practice, and/or organizational consulting. The co-instructor model will allow students to choose final projects focused on research or non-profit organization grants. Typically offered: Autumn.

This course provides an introduction to the development, delivery, and interpretation of survey research for diverse audiences. This course provides a comprehensive review of survey research methods and fundamental skills in designing and conducting survey research. While the focus is on the practical steps involved in the survey process, this course also introduces students to the psychological and social processes that may influence survey research responses. Special attention will be paid to conducting survey research in ways that are ethically and culturally appropriate. Typically offered: Winter.

Descriptive and inferential statistics with a focus on analysis of variance (one-way and mixed designs) in addition to covering basics of correlation and simple linear regression. This course provides foundational skills in using statistical software, missing data handling, running power analyses for different statistical approaches, discussion of effect sizes, and reporting the results to scientific and non-scientific audiences. Utilizes R, R Studio, and R packages for statistical analysis. Typically offered: Autumn.

Multiple regression utilizing ordinary least squares with coverage of continuous and categorical variables, interaction effects, non-linear effects, dichotomous outcomes, multilevel modeling, and conditional process analysis. Additionally, basic path analysis using a structural equation modeling framework is covered. Each statistical approach taught includes considerations of the typical workflow, underlying formulae, statistical assumptions, power analysis, and reporting the results to scientific and non-scientific audiences. Utilizes R, R Studio, and R packages for statistical analysis. Typically offered: Winter. Typically offered: Winter.

Learn to apply your research and statistics training by telling data stories. This course equips students with four in-demand data-analysis skills with an emphasis on real-world applications, people and consumer data analytics, and social sciences. Skills include: advanced data analysis, data visualization (i.e., telling visual stories with data), data storytelling (i.e., how to communicate research data to non-trained audiences) and an introduction to data management and dashboards (i.e., Tableau). An emphasis will be placed on computer skills such as R and SQL. Typically offered: Spring.

This course investigates history, epistemologies, and worldviews influencing Research Psychology and dominant psychological theories. We will integrate Christian worldviews in our class discussions of the history of psychological research and theory development. We will reflect on how scientific worldviews align with or diverge from Christian theology, and consider how our worldviews affect our research. This course traces historical developments in psychological research, historical developments in Christian thought, and how the two interrelate. Particularly important are theological and epistemological bases for psychological research and its implications for practice. Typically offered: Summer.

Student works with a faculty member on a mutually agreed upon topic.

The future PhD Fellows Program is an intensive two-day retreat. This program will prepare students for fall applications to PhD programs. Students will reflect on how best to leverage their experience, strategize how to pick PhD programs, practice writing their application materials, experience mock interviews, and receive materials that can guide their applications as they prepare them. Students will hear from a variety of professors and recent/current SPU students that were accepted into PhD programs. Through these experiences, the process of applications will be demystified and a realistic strategy for applications can be developed. Typically offered: Autumn.

Allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in research psychology to applied areas. Standards and procedures for the completion of practicum are explained in the program overview. Typically offered: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Explores special areas of interest in research psychology.

Standards and procedures for the completion of the capstone project are explained in the program overview. Typically offered: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.