Grading Policy For Research Assistants
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Just a few words need to be said about grades. As you know, you are receiving course credit for your work as a research assistant. This includes receiving a grade for your performance. You will receive feedback twice during the semester.  This feedback will be based on four factors: Responsibility: Do you show up to the sessions you are supposed to run on time? Do you make the lab meetings and the meetings with your group on time? Do you complete your responsibilities in a timely fashion? Do you follow the lab rules.? Keep in mind that "blowing off" scheduled sessions or acting in an unprofessional manner during sessions will result in the immediately loss of at least one letter grade.  Competence: Do you master the experimental protocol for your project and follow that protocol when running subjects? Are you organized and efficient in doing your job? When you need to enter data do you do so accurately? If there's something you don't understand do you ask questions so that you can do your job well? Teamwork: Do you cooperate with your project director, other members your group and other members of the lab in getting the work of the lab done? Do you return phone calls and answer email promptly? Do you assist in the scheduling of your project by knowing the times you will be available? Are you available for the 8 to 10 hours of work expected of you? In general do you do what it takes to make sure the project gets done and gets done right? Knowledge:  Do you know the correct procedures for running participants, entering credit, entering data and so on.  Do you demonstrate this knowlede during lab meetings and in practice when working on your project.  Do you demonstrate knowledge and thoughtfulness when it comes to the articles that we read as a part of lab meetings or that your project director assigns to you? You will receive two evaluations on your performance in these areas during the course of the semester. These evaluations won't be averaged. Rather they will be kind of a running score of how you are doing. The final grade will be based 25% on each of the four areas. In addition your grade can be reduced by at least one letter grade if (1) your data entry is found to be inaccurate, (2) you blow off sessions or (3) you are rude to participants, labmates or department staff. You will receive an evaluation from your project leader and you will also be asked to provide a self-evaluaton.  Dr. Lampinen will use this information in addition to his own assessment of your performance to determine your grade. Keep in mind that we have two evaluations so that you know early in the semester how you are doing. Please if you have any questions or concerns about how you are doing talk to your project director or Dr. Lampinen as soon as these questions arise.