The class is weird. Half of the exam is from lecture and the other half is from lab, so things you learn in lab are expected to be know for the test but are not taught in lecture. Lab is grade very strictly and one mistake can cost you a lot of points. The tests are way harder than the practice she gives

I've taken Research Methods back at my CC and I thought it was easy then, but looking back it was probably my professor. Professor Firstenberg is not bad by any means -- the lectures are okay, they're optional as she posts recordings of them too. Lab attendance is not required either, but my TA would walk us through how to do the homework assignments and review the material, so I attended all of them.

You have lab assignments every week (not very difficult esp if you went to your section), ALMs (more homework and reflection assignments), and 2 open-note/open book online exams, one of which is the final. The workload wasn't bad and neither was the material per se, and she does give extra credit opportunities.

Honestly the exams were the worst part. They make up most of your grade (3 points per question, 120 points total) and weren't necessarily super difficult, but they were dense and required a lot of attention to detail, and were confusing as times. It's also the kind of exam where you cannot go back a question, so you can't change any of your answers after moving on to the next question. They were also nitpicky af about grading the lab homework assignments, so make sure you put in a bit more effort for that.

Overall, not a bad class, but I wouldn't take it again especially during winter quarter. Also do not buy that textbook you will not read it trust

First of all, do NOT buy the textbook!! I promise you you do not need it and you can ace the exams without it. I would just watch the lectures and do the exam practice problems.

I never went to lecture in person and I would watch the lectures later in the week. Lab attendance is not mandatory and I never felt the need to go after the first one. I will say, I could have gotten an A if I hadn't done an assignment last minute, so don't be fooled, every single point matters!

The midterm was really easy, but the final was slightly more difficult. The concepts after the final are a bit tedious, but honestly still not bad at all. I would say to just put a little more time and effort in the assignments. They are very particular in grading. Overall, this professor was super nice and helpful and I would recommend this class!

Honestly I'm not sure why so many reviews seem to say this is a difficult class. The exams were very easy as they were MCQ and open-book. Still, I think the exam questions were designed in a way to properly test our understanding so I think their format worked well for the class. Homework was relatively tedious but quite helpful in really checking your understanding. Attendance was not mandatory for lectures or labs, which was great because I learned better by reading the slides or watching recordings at my own pace. Great TA team too, super nice TAs.

I didn't even go to lectures or the labs because attendance isn't mandatory and it's so easy. The lectures are recorded and posted online. The labs are very easy and the TAs post the slides with the activities and HW. Both exams are online and open note, all MCQ. It's an easy A and basically a review of things you have learned in all other psych classes. You can also do extra credit.

Going into this class I was super worried because all of the reviews made it sound completely terrible but it has been really good. The midterm and final were online multiple choice. there were weekly assignments so definitely stay on top of things but it was all super manageable. Most of the assignments were graded for completion and only a few were graded for correctness. I think that the professor seemed to care a lot about making the class easier based on past reviews. Basically, if you do the assignments and you have some idea whats going on in the class you could easily get an A.

I was nervous for this class when looking at the reviews but I found it pretty easy. The exams are sort of tricky but they honestly weren't that bad. It would be application questions that would give you a scenario and you'd have to identify different elements of the scenario. You just need to fully understand what is discussed in the lecture and do the practice exams (exams are open note and exactly like the practice exams). I honestly think most people are overreacting about how hard this class is. If you show up to lecture, actually try to understand the ALMs, and follow the rubric for lab assignments you should do well in the class.

Honestly not sure why this class has lower than 4 stars, the professor explains content very clearly and makes it clear what needs to be known. I've found it to be one of the easier upper-div psych classes. Most of the material I knew going in (correlation v causation, manipulating variables, random assignment, etc), but even if you don't, the professor explains everything very clearly.

While I did learn a lot from this course it felt like they were purposefully tricking us especially with the exams. The practice exams are not a good reflection of the real exam because of the tricky wording and answer choices. For example, they may give 2-3 answers that seem like the correct one and it is extremely hard to decide which is the correct one. While tough exams are expected for this course, my main complain are the TAs. Mine was very nitpicky, I quadruple checked my work but there was always a minor issue.

I have never written a review for a class, but this one deserves one. This class was by far the best class I have taken at UCLA. Please take 100B with Firstenberg if you have the chance. Firstenberg and the psych 100b team offer so much support to students like mental health checks and overall so much accessible help. The class overall is very easy if you put in the work. Lecture is not mandatory and you can watch the recording on your own time. Slides are posted. Tests are online and practice tests are given. DO the practice tests, the tests are exactly like it. Her tests are not meant to trick you!! If you did the practice tests and understood the material you will be fine. This is the first class I have earned an A+ in ever at UCLA and its bc of the support given. Professor Firstenberg is a very engaging professor and sooo sweet!! I personally did not go to lecture because I did not have the attention span to pay attention for two hours so I watched in on my own time. I dont find the book to be necessary at all (I opted out and never needed it). She also offers extra credit through a sona study and a very simple assignment! Your grade is based on the midterm and final (both online, multiple choice, 40-60 questions), weekly ALMS, and lab assignments that are graded either for completion or correctness. The material in the class is also pretty simple, theres not many different topics and she goes through them all in detail. Please do not let the negative reviews fool you, this really is a great class if you try!