PSYCH 389Social Science Advanced Research Methods Topics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Psychology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Topics explore social science research methods in psychology. Consult School of Psychology listings for upcoming topics, which may include naturalistic observation, factorial experiment design, behavioural coding, survey/questionnaire construction, interviewing, and/or linguistic analysis. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., lab experience, data collection), research reports, critiques of published/proposed research, and student presentations.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- PSYCH211 - Developmental Psychology (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Earned a minimum Psychology major average of 74.0%
- Students must be in level 3A or higher
- Complete 1 of the following
- Enrolled in PSYCH-Research Intensive Specialization, or H-Psychology (BSc)
- Enrolled in Make-up Psychology
- Must have completed the following:
Corequisites
- Completed or concurrently enrolled in:
- PSYCH391 - Advanced Data Analysis (0.50)
Antirequisites
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM 001 | 3492 | 25 / 25 | TTh 09:30–11:20 |
| SEM 002 | 3493 | 25 / 25 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| SEM 003 | 3523 | 25 / 25 | Th 11:30–14:20 |
| SEM 004 | 4006 | 25 / 25 | TTh 16:00–17:20 |
| LAB 101 | 3494 | 25 / 25 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 102 | 3495 | 25 / 25 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 103 | 3524 | 25 / 25 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 104 | 4007 | 25 / 25 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM 001 | 4170 | 0 / 25 | MW 10:00–11:20 |
| SEM 701 | 1647 | 16 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 4253 | 0 / 25 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
83% liked it56% easy83% useful
From 18 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This was probably the most helpful research-intensive course I took throughout my degree. I had Paul Wehr, which made me nervous at first since I know he is a hard marker, but I am glad that I was put into his section. We got to create our own mini pilot study throughout the course by designing an experiment, analyzing the data and communicating the results via a PowerPoint and poster presentation. He also gave very helpful feedback throughout the process to make us better researchers. We also had to run a lesson plan with one or two other people related to an article each week, which helped us connect with our classmates more and develop some leadership skills. In general, I think this is…
May 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
It's a very nice course if you plan to study after your undergrad. It includes coming up with your own research ideas (certain articles are provided as a starting point), creating your own experiment, and presenting it. It's very interesting.
There are no rubrics, the average grade range of prof and ta is the final one. its tough for you to change the grade.
I had it with Ori, he provides critical feedback which allows you to think more and will just make your paper better. It can be hard to hear a lot of critics but it's just for ur own sake.Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Took it with Igor Grossmann. This course’s structure is very chaotic and for some assessments, the grading approach was described as “holistic” by the instructor which should not be the case for an upper level research-based course; grading, especially for highly weighed components should not be based on “vibes”. Many of the smaller although redundant assessments are at the level of a first or second year course which made them add minimal to no value to what we have already learned in previous courses; for assessments that weighed more, we received contradictory instructions from the TA and the instructor which made it very difficult to navigate what the expectations are in light of the…
Dec 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
this is a seminar course, so it is completely different from your typical lecture course. each professor will have a completely different grading scheme and way of doing the course. Grossmann was my professor, and he was a really nice guy. the problem was he had an assignment due EVERY WEEK worth 3-7% so it was a demanding course. there really isn't much "learning" that goes on, mostly just projects and prepping for the final research proposal at the end of the semester. he was unclear with some of his instructions but was pretty chill if you just asked him about it. i didn't really feel like 391 was relevant to this course, maybe that's just Grossmann though.
Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Do your readings, take this course after you completed PSYCH 391/advanced data analysis, it will be a lot easier
Nov 2019 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
5 posts and comments in 5 threads mention PSYCH 389, July 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
Tired BA Psych Research Intensified Student 😞 7 points, 0 comments
u/Broccolily-: “… Also, I think PSYCH 389 is the hardest course. It is harder than 391 and 492 combined. I love my professor and my TA because they are both so nice and genuinely trying their best to help, which I really appreciate. …”
psych389 1 point, 2 comments
u/Ambitious-Oven-8524: “does anyone know if psych389 has always only been offered in the fall or is it possible it will be offered in the spring term next year tyy”
Fall 2020
Good prof appreciation thread 61 points, 89 comments
“This term sucks a lot and a lot of people are having some shitty experiences, especially with certain profs/TAs/instructors. But there’s a lot of profs who are not that shitty. …”
u/crymeraspberryjam13: “… Ori Friedman (Psych 389) - Super caring of students. I just wish this was an in-person class. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… PSYCH 312R PSYCH 317 PSYCH 318 PSYCH 320 PSYCH 336 PSYCH 340 PSYCH 349R PSYCH 352 PSYCH 363 PSYCH 389 PSYCH 390W PSYCH 391 PSYCH 393 PSYCH 395 PSYCH 397 PSYCH 398R PSYCH 399 PSYCH 399R PSYCH 447 PSYCH 448R PSYCH 453 PSYCH 457 PSYCH 458 PSYCH 459 PSYCH 461 PSYCH 464 PSYCH 470 …”
Spring 2017
What courses are you taking this fall? 28 points, 129 comments
“With course selection and add/drop happening this week I figured this would be a cool discussion post. …”
u/psychwaterloo: “PSYCH 389 - Advanced Research Methods - Social Psych PSYCH 391 - Advanced Data Analysis PSYCH 448R - Close Relationships SDS 499A - Honours Thesis PSYCH 264 - Research Apprenticeship SDS 331R - Social Inequality, Social Justice & Public Policy”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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