Sign In to Download the Syllabus
The Psychology 111 syllabus is available to enrolled or registered students. Sign in to your UPI Study account to download it instantly — or enroll today to get access.
Once signed in, the syllabus will download automatically. No extra steps.
Research Methods
in
Psychology
The backbone of every credible psychological claim. Learn how research is designed, conducted, and evaluated, so you know what to trust and what to question.
What You'll Learn
A full semester of research methods in psychology — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Differentiate between scientific and nonscientific research, understand the scientific method in psychology, and apply it in decision-making processes
- Adhere to ethical standards, obtain informed consent, mitigate research risks, and ensure participant protection
- Design research studies, select appropriate methods, formulate research questions and hypotheses, and conduct literature reviews
- Utilize various data collection techniques, including surveys, content analysis, observational research, and archival data access
- Interpret descriptive and inferential statistics, summarize data, and make inferences from research findings
Major Course Topics
Course chapters and lessons
Research Methods in Psychology has 16 chapters across 57 instructional hours, as listed in the course syllabus. Expand any chapter to see the lessons inside it.
- Chapters
- 16
- Lessons
- 94
- Instructional hours
- 57 hrs
- Semester hours
- 3
Chapter 1
Foundations of Research and the Scientific Method
- 1.1 The Building Blocks of Research
- 1.2 Distinguishing Scientific Inquiry from Nonscientific Approaches
- 1.3 Applying the Scientific Model to Real-World Decisions
- 1.4 Tools and Instruments Used in Psychological Research
- 1.5 Comparing Experimental and Non-Experimental Research
- 1.6 Basic vs. Applied Research: Purpose and Practice
- 1.7 The Goals and Purposes Behind Research
Chapter 2
Ethics and Integrity in Research
- 2.1 Core Principles That Guide Ethical Research
- 2.2 Informed Consent: Standard and Special Cases
- 2.3 Recognizing and Managing Risks to Participants
- 2.4 Maintaining Ethical Standards in Practice
- 2.5 Avoiding Deception in Research
- 2.6 Handling Misconduct and Meeting Legal Obligations
- 2.7 The Role of IRBs in Protecting Research Participants
- 2.8 Ethical Considerations in Animal-Based Research
Chapter 3
Designing and Structuring Research Studies
- 3.1 Setting Up Research and Choosing the Right Method
- 3.2 Formulating Research Questions and Hypotheses
- 3.3 Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning in Research
- 3.4 Working with Variables in Research
- 3.5 Conducting Literature Reviews and Using Source Materials
- 3.6 The Relationship Between Samples and Populations
- 3.7 Planning Data Collection and Study Structure
- 3.8 Writing and Documenting Research Reports
Chapter 4
Methods of Data Collection in Research
- 4.1 An Overview of Data Collection Approaches
- 4.2 Survey Methods in Social Research
- 4.3 Using Content Analysis and Existing Data Sources
- 4.4 Field Research and Observational Methods
- 4.5 Working with Archival Research Sources
Chapter 5
Non-Experimental Methods and the Study of Variable Relationships
- 5.1 Understanding the Foundations of Non-Experimental Research
- 5.2 Survey Approaches and Patterns in Respondent Behavior
- 5.3 The Nature and Purpose of Correlational Research
- 5.4 Quantifying Relationships Through Correlation Coefficients
- 5.5 Interpreting and Drawing Insights from Correlation Data
- 5.6 Boundaries and Drawbacks of Correlational Studies
Chapter 6
Qualitative Inquiry: Methods for Understanding Human Experience
- 6.1 Getting Started with Qualitative Research
- 6.2 Applying Case Study and Ethnographic Approaches
- 6.3 The Role of Historical Research in Inquiry
- 6.4 Building Theory from the Ground Up: The Grounded Theory Approach
- 6.5 Capturing Lived Experience: The Phenomenological Method
Chapter 7
Designing Studies Across Time: Quasi-Experimental Approaches
- 7.1 Defining and Understanding Quasi-Experimental Designs
- 7.2 Working with Ex Post Facto Research
- 7.3 Tracking Change: Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Methods
- 7.4 The Logic of Pretest-Posttest Designs
- 7.5 How Time Shapes Research Design Choices
Chapter 8
The Science of Sampling: Selecting Participants for Research
- 8.1 The Core Principles Behind Sampling
- 8.2 Linking Population, Sample, and Generalization
- 8.3 Probability vs. Non-Probability Sampling Approaches
- 8.4 Recognizing Common Sampling Challenges
- 8.5 Determining the Appropriate Sample Size
Chapter 9
Measuring What Matters: Reliability and Validity in Research
- 9.1 Foundations of Measurement: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
- 9.2 From Abstract Concepts to Operational Definitions
- 9.3 Variables and the Levels at Which They Are Measured
- 9.4 Exploring the Different Categories of Research Tests
- 9.5 The Various Forms of Measurement Used in Research
- 9.6 Strengthening the Reliability of Measurement Tools
- 9.7 Understanding the Validity of Measurement
- 9.8 The Interplay Between Reliability and Validity
Chapter 10
Safeguarding Causal Conclusions: Threats Within a Study
- 10.1 What Internal Validity Means in Research
- 10.2 Spotting Extraneous and Confounding Variables
- 10.3 Physical and Researcher Influences on Internal Validity
- 10.4 Participant-Related Factors That Affect Internal Validity
- 10.5 Internal Threats: History, Instrumentation, Mortality, Regression, and Testing
- 10.6 Internal Threats: Selection, Maturation, and Their Combined Effects
- 10.7 Techniques for Controlling Extraneous Variables
Chapter 11
Beyond the Study: Generalizing Findings to the Real World
- 11.1 Building Blocks and Requirements of External Validity
- 11.2 Why Generalization Matters in External Validity
- 11.3 External Threats: Sample and Stimulus Considerations
- 11.4 External Threats: Novelty, Reactivity, and Experimental Settings
- 11.5 Practical Strategies to Boost External Validity
Chapter 12
Building Blocks of Experimentation: Core Design Strategies
- 12.1 The Essential Elements of Experimental Design
- 12.2 Why Random Assignment Matters
- 12.3 The Purpose and Power of Control Groups
- 12.4 Setting Up Two-Group Experiments
- 12.5 The Logic Behind Matched-Group Designs
- 12.6 Designing Studies with Multiple Groups
- 12.7 Getting Started with Factorial Designs
Chapter 13
Complex Experimental Frameworks for Modern Research
- 13.1 Different Variations of Factorial Designs
- 13.2 Making Sense of Interactions in Factorial Designs
- 13.3 Recognizing Main Effects in Factorial Studies
- 13.4 Applying Multivariate Experimental Designs
- 13.5 Working with Within-Subject Designs
- 13.6 Strategies for Managing Carryover Effects
- 13.7 The Role of Small-n Designs in Research
Chapter 14
Summarizing Data: The Power of Descriptive Statistics
- 14.1 Getting Started with Descriptive Statistics and Frequency Distributions
- 14.2 Measuring the Center: Mean, Median, and Mode
- 14.3 Measuring the Spread: Range, Variance, and Standard Deviation
Chapter 15
Drawing Conclusions from Data: Statistical Inference in Practice
- 15.1 The Building Blocks of Inferential Statistics
- 15.2 Testing Hypotheses and Establishing Statistical Significance
- 15.3 Deciding Between One-Tailed and Two-Tailed Tests
- 15.4 A Closer Look at Chi-Square and t-Tests
- 15.5 Comparing Multiple Groups with ANOVA
Chapter 16
Making Meaning of Results: Evaluation and Interpretation
- 16.1 Strategies for Evaluating Research Findings
- 16.2 Acknowledging the Boundaries of Generalization
- 16.3 Interpreting Non-Significant Results in Research
These chapters come straight from the official course syllabus, which also sets out the graded assignment and the proctored final exam.
How It Works
Three steps from enrollment to transferable college credit — no campus visits, no application required.
Pick & Enroll
Start one or more courses covering lower or upper division requirements — instantly, today.
Earn College Credit
Watch short video lessons, take quizzes and the final exam — all from home, on your schedule.
Transfer Your Credits
Send earned credits to your school and graduate sooner, at a fraction of the cost.
Does My School Accept This Course?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations — the same standard recognized by hundreds of cooperating colleges and universities. Check if your school is on our list and move forward with confidence — or schedule a call with our team.
Students Also Enrolled In
Stack multiple courses to build 6, 9, or 12+ transferable college credits — at a fraction of the cost of most campus options.
UPI Study Courses Include
Use research methods in psychology to understand people, behavior, and society.
The backbone of every credible psychological claim. Learn how research is designed, conducted, and evaluated, so you know what to trust and what to question.
🎯 Why It Matters
- Understand what drives human thought, emotion, and behavior
- Build skills applicable in counseling, education, research, and beyond
- Strengthen ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity
- Applies to careers across healthcare, education, and social services
💼 In-Demand Careers
- Case Manager
- Social Services Coordinator
- Human Resources Specialist
- Counseling Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
🚀 How This Sets You Up
- Complete structured lessons and a comprehensive final exam
- Earn 3 transferable college credit hours
- Recognized by NCCRS cooperating universities globally
- Self-paced — no deadlines, no campus visits required
135,000+ Learners.
Real Results.
From college freshmen to career changers, international students to working adults — here's what our community says.
Refer a friend, earn free courses
Your friend gets 25% off their first purchase, and you earn points when they join and buy. 1 point = $1 toward courses, transcripts and Lifetime. Points are never cash.
See how it works →
See the course before you enroll
A 57-second look at Research Methods in Psychology.
Common Questions Answered.
Everything you need to know about Research Methods in Psychology — credits, grading, transfer, and how it compares to traditional options.
What is Research Methods in Psychology?
What will I be able to do after finishing Research Methods in Psychology?
Is the Research Methods in Psychology course self-paced for college credit?
How many college credits is Research Methods in Psychology worth?
How is the Research Methods in Psychology course graded? Are there exams?
Will my university accept Research Methods in Psychology credits from UPI Study?
Why take Research Methods in Psychology online instead of at a traditional university?
Can international students take Research Methods in Psychology for college credit?
Do I need statistics before Research Methods?
Is Research Methods required for psychology majors?
Is Psych 101 a prerequisite for Research Methods?
How is Research Methods assessed?
Where will my college put this credit?
Still have questions? Our team answers within hours — not days.
Book a Free 15-Min Call with UPI Team →We're Here When You Need Us
Book an Advisor Call
Talk directly with our team about how credits transfer and whether your university accepts them.
WhatsApp Support
Quick answers about credits, course selection, pricing, and transfer policies — over WhatsApp.
Transfer Credit Blog
In-depth guides on testing out of courses, transfer credit policies, ACE evaluations, and saving on tuition.
Find My College
Check how your college treats our courses before you enroll.
Why Take College Credits?
Quick answers about transferable online credits, test-out style learning, and NCCRS-recommended options through UPI Study.
Which universities accept these credits?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations recognized by various NCCRS cooperating colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and UK.
Who can take self-paced college courses?
Anyone can enroll — including high school students, incoming college students, adult learners, and students trying to test out of traditional courses.
Why choose this over traditional classes?
Save time and reduce tuition costs. Many students complete prerequisites faster and shorten their time to graduation — at a fraction of the cost.
How many credits can I earn?
This course is NCCRS-recommended for 3 semester credit hours. Transfer as many credits as your university allows — students have transferred anywhere from 3 to 90+ credits depending on their school's policy.
Everything You Need to Succeed
Video-Based Lessons
HD video lectures broken into short, focused modules. Watch at your own pace — pause, rewind, replay any time.
Quizzes & Final Exam
Evaluate your understanding after every section with quizzes and a comprehensive final exam that mirrors real college assessment.
Structured College-Level Course
Structured lessons covering every topic — designed as a standard Research Methods in Psychology college-level course.
Official Transcript
Complete the course, request your transcript, and transfer 3 credit hours to cooperating universities. No separate exam required.
Earn 3 College Credits
for $250.
Self-paced. No deadlines. NCCRS-recommended, recognized by NCCRS cooperating universities. Join 135,000+ learners on the UPI Study platform.