Purpose. This course teaches how to ask and answer questions about sensory perception and cognition using the scientific method (experiments in which observations are made under controlled conditions). In addition, the course provides practice and guidance in writing technical reports. The principles of experimentation that are learned in this course apply in any domain, as do the writing skills.

Specific skills that apply to experiments on sensory perception and cognition will also be covered. Thus, students learn how to do experiments and how to evaluate those of others, and they get first-hand experience with examples of sensory and cognitive phenomena.

Course requirements. Students conduct five experiments and report them in the format of the journals of the American Psychological Association. Experiments progress in complexity and in the freedom exercised by the student, culminating with a question posed and answered entirely by the student. No incompletes will be given except for certified illness.

Format. Class time is devoted primarily to experiments, with some lectures, demonstrations, and discussion. Apparatus remains in the lab for a week after class so that students are able to run experiments outside of class.

Readings. Suggested readings are supplied in class or placed on reserve in two places: the Undergraduate Reserve Desk in Rush Rhees, and the folder in Pat Pattison’s office (Meliora 102) labeled, "BCS 208."

Examinations. There will be one essay-type examination at about the end of the first third of the semester.

Papers. The format of the laboratory reports is that used by the Journals of the American Psychological Association, as specified in the Style Manual of the American Psychological Association (available in the bookstore). In addition, all papers must be accompanied by the data from the experiment in its rawest form, including: the original of any handwritten notes, or photocopies of the original, and a copy of any computer files (by e-mail attachment or diskette). Papers are due at the beginning of class on the specified date. Late papers will not be accepted unless previous arrangements have been made.

Grades. The grade for the course depends on the written reports (75%), the exam (15%), and an oral presentation (10%). The weights of the individual written reports vary and are shown in the schedule below. Both form and content enter into the grades for the reports, with approximately equal weight: form refers to adherence to APA format and to the rules of grammar and style; content refers to the description of what was done and observed, the validity of the conclusions, and the quality of the discussion of the experiment and its implications. The results obtained, in themselves, have no affect the grade, only the way in which they are performed, interpreted, and discussed. Students may revise and resubmit any paper at any time during the course, the final grade for the paper being the average of the grades for the two drafts submitted. The original draft, including the instructor marks and comments, must be submitted along with any revision, and revisions must be marked to distinguish them from unchanged parts of the paper.

Collaboration. Collaboration is essential for modern research. Students are encouraged to collaborate in designing and conducting experiments. However, for the purposes of this course, since each student must be individually evaluated, your written reports must be in your own words and represent your own understanding. You should be able to re-create your reports without assistance and be able to discuss their content when asked.