Instructional support for Psychology Majors

Instructional Support Services

The Psychology Computer Lab offers instructional support services for currently enrolled CSUDH students majoring in Psychology by assisting with APA-style formatting, research writing, and statistical analysis by using SPSS.

In addition to instructional support, the psychology computer lab is a space for students to study, work on individual or group assignments, or unwind with fellow psychology students.

♦ In Lab Appointments

Schedule a 30-minute in-person appointment with the instructional support technician or the instructional support assistant.

♦ Online Appointments

Schedule a 30-minute appointment via Zoom with the instructional support technician or the instructional support assistant.

♦ In Lab Drop-Ins

Be assigned a 30-minute session on a first-come, first-served basis on the availability of the instructional support technician or assistant.
Drop-in online appointments are not available.
Papers are reviewed in the order they are received.
All submissions will be reviewed in a 30-minute duration.
If you are submitting a research paper draft, please specify which section you would like feedback on (e.g., introduction, method, results, discussion).
Please review the APA and Research Report Writing Support Guidelines for more information regarding paper feedback.

Tutoring and Lab Policy

Tutoring Policies

Please understand that the Instructional Support Technician (IST) and the Instructional Support Assistant (ISA) can assist you with your understanding of APA, SPSS, and statistics. However, the IST and the ISA will not check answers or help complete assignments. Misuse of services may result in a suspension of instructional support access.
Instructional support services do not provide editing services, such as proofreading, fixing typos, rearranging sentences, or reforming papers to meet APA standards. However, the IST and ISA can help identify grammar and writing patterns and suggest ways to effectively strengthen writing ability by improving word choices, style, and mechanics.
Students are advised to seek initial support from their instructor (e.g., receiving help after class or visiting their office hours) before meeting with the IST or ISA, as professors know their course material and expectations best. Tutors will refer students back to their professors for support and subject clarification if necessary.
The instructional support team abides by the university's Academic Integrity Policy. For more information on the campus Academic Integrity Policy, please visit https://www.csudh.edu/class-schedule/fa22/university-policies/academic-integrity-policy

Psychology Computer Lab Policies

Support services are for currently enrolled CSUDH students majoring in Psychology.
Students must have a valid CSUDH ID to access instructional support services and the psychology computer lab.
The psychology computer lab is an instructional space and abides by any mandated campus, CSU, and county policies.
Please keep the computer areas and shared spaces clean.
Only beverages with lids and cold or packaged food (i.e., no hot food) are allowed in the psychology computer lab at the large study table.
Food or open beverages by computer equipment are prohibited.

Meet the Team

Tracy (Bertka) Kelley, Instructional Support Technician (IST)

Email: tbertka1@csudh.edu
Office: SBS A-240B
Phone: 310-243-2563

Appointments

Schedule a 30-minute Appointment with Tracy:

https://calendly.com/tbertka1_csudh

Fall 2023 Hours*: August 28th – December 8th

Monday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; 2:30 pm -4 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; 2:30 pm -4 pm
Wednesday: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; 2:30 pm -4 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Not available on weekends, Schedules subject to change
Lunch break is daily from 1 pm – 2 pm

Online appointments will meet via Zoom:

» Zoom Link

In-person appointments will meet in the psychology computer lab; SBS A-240A (enter through SBS B-241G).

Late & Cancellation Policy

If students are running late, they will have a five-minute grace period after the start of their appointment. After the grace period, we cancel the appointment and may offer the time slot to a waiting student. The student is responsible for contacting the IST or ISA if they know they will be late beyond five minutes. However, the late appointment will not extend past the initial 30-minute time slot due to the scheduling of other appointments and drop-in sessions.

If you cannot attend your appointment, you must cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance to allow another student to book the appointment. Appointment modifications can be made through your Calendly confirmation email.

Location & Hours of Operation

Lab Hours:

Monday through Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm; closed on weekends

Closed daily for lunch
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Location: SBS A-240A (enter through SBS B-241G)

*Tutoring hours vary. Please see appointments for tutoring hours.
To find the computer lab, please enter from SBS B-241. Hint: look for the Deborah C. Sears Center for Peer Advising sign and then follow the posted Psychology Computer Lab signs to B- 241G.

♦ Fall 2023 Lab Courses

9/4: Labor Day
9/27 - 9/29: Out of office for conference (available by email)
11/10: Veterans Day
11/21-11/24: Thanksgiving Holiday Break
12/25-1/1: Winter Break

Instructional Support - What to Expect for your Tutoring Session

Understand that the Instructional Support Technician (IST) and the Instructional Support Assistant (ISA) are experienced learners, not experts. Always seek help from your instructor first and foremost.
Instructional support sessions are only 30 minutes. Please come prepared with specific concerns or questions you want to address during your session.
Sign in at the table and wait for the specified tutor (appointment) or the next available tutor (drop-in).
Tutors may be at the main table for a scheduled or drop-in session. Please be respectful to the tutor and the student and do not interrupt their session to ask for help.
Expect to review assignment concepts, not complete assignments.
Tutoring sessions exclude answer-checking.
Tutors will not compare assignments or papers against an instructor’s rubric.
The instructional support team will not know all the components of your class materials or the professor’s expectations. Tutors will refer students back to their professors for support and subject clarification.

APA and Research Report Writing Support Guidelines

Instructional support services do not provide editing services, such as proofreading, fixing typos, rearranging sentences, or reforming papers to meet APA standards. However, the IST or ISA can help identify grammar and writing patterns and suggest ways to effectively strengthen writing ability by improving word choices, style, and mechanics.
Feedback on research papers is limited to four pages. Make sure to indicate which section you are requesting feedback (e.g., introduction, method, results, discussion).
Feedback turnaround time frame is up to five days. Please make sure to submit your paper in a timely manner.
Papers are reviewed in the order they are received regardless of a papers due date.
Papers will not be compared against an instructor’s rubric.
When making an appointment, please indicate in detail what aspect of APA writing you would like help with. For example, do you need support with APA formatting (e.g., headings, in-text citations), references, or feedback on a specific paper section
Please email your draft 48 hours prior to your appointment.

Example questions of what to ask your tutor for best support:
• "I am having difficulty starting the introduction of my research paper. Can you provide me with material to help me better understand how to begin writing?"
• "My professor has asked us to write an annotated bibliography, but how do I know if an article is peer-reviewed?"
• "Can you please provide feedback on the methods section of my research paper? I would like to know if I cited the measures correctly."

Example questions of what not to ask your tutor:
• "How do I write an introduction section of a research paper?
• "What goes in an annotated bibliography?"
• "Can you review my introduction to see if I am missing anything? Here is the rubric from my professor."

SPSS Support

Helpful SPSS Websites
https://libguides.library.kent.edu/SPSS/home

Asynchronous (eTutoring)

Instructional Support