1. Participation (20%)

Contribute to class discussions. Obviously this requires that the materials for that day be read before class.  Be able to identify the basic elements of each paper:

• the key constructs studied, and how they are hypothesized to be related;

• research questions / hypotheses and conclusions for each;

• the methodology used, e.g., review, controlled lab experiment, field study, etc.

Be prepared to discuss the instructor-posted discussion questions for the week and bring questions of your own for class discussion.  Specific pre-class prep assignments may also be assigned, then discussed, during the term and are part of the participation requirement.

2. Essay questions (Best 8 * 5% each = 40%)

These are after-class questions delivered via Canvas that connect to the readings up to that week. Each essay will be one question (with possibly multiple parts).  The question is timed, allowing 30 minutes to respond from the time you open the question.

3. Research Proposal (4 Parts: 5%; 10%; 10%; 15% = 40% total)

This is a research proposal equivalent to what you might write for a granting agency.  It has the format of an empirical journal article up to, but not including, the Results section of a paper. The paper should describe a study, preferably a controlled experiment, of a behavioral issue in decision making. The written proposal should contain the following elements with the final proposal being no more than 10 pages in length. The paper will be written up in 4 cumulative parts over the course of the term, with due dates shown below and the final paper due Saturday, December 16.  In addition, each student will have the opportunity to present their proposal to the class and get feedback (November 27)

• Introduction (initial draft - October 23; first rewrite - November 13; second rewrite - December 4; final version - December 18)

  • Statement of research question

  • Motivation from the real world for the problem you select (with example)

• Background and Theoretical Development (initial draft - November 13; first rewrite - December 4; final version - December 18)

  • Overview of one or more areas of prior research/theory that apply to your problem

  • Model / theory / framework underlying the proposal

  • Research questions / Hypotheses

• Methodology and Potential Results (initial draft - December 4; final version -December 18)

  • Subjects: Are special populations needed?

  • Procedure: 

    • Outline of the experimental design

    • Identification of any special data-analysis techniques