Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS:  RESEARCH METHODS FOR HUMAN SERVICES / SOCIAL SCIENCES

 

Term:  Spring, 2001-2002 (012) (January 7 – April 20, 2002)                                                   

Course Number: URS 235 / HSV 235

Instructor:   Dr. Mary Riley 

Office:  Room 510

Office Phone:  (219) 473-4264

E-mail:  mriley@ccsj.edu

Home Phone: (312) 421-8710

Course Date and Time: Tuesday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Office Hours:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (and by appointment)

 

Instructor Background: Dr. Riley was awarded the B.A. in Anthropology at Beloit College and the M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology at Tulane University.  She is currently the Director of the Urban Studies Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph, and is teaching courses in urban studies, sociology and law enforcement.

 

Course Description:  This course will introduce students to a broad range of research methods essential for the professional human service provider.  These will include participant observation, survey design, interviewing skills, internet and journal research, and empirical design.  Students will participate in a semester long research project.  Field opportunities designed to develop a mastery of a variety of research techniques will be an important component of this course.

 

Prerequisites:  PSY 230 or permission of instructor

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

 

Students in this course will:

 

·         Develop skills that are fundamental to conducting research, critical thinking, synthesizing information and communicating research results to their peers.

·         Demonstrate and practice the basic principles of research organization as they work from topic selection, hypothesis formation and research design, literature search, and data collection, to data analysis, interpretation, report writing and delivery of research results.

·         Be able to present research results via oral presentation (in classroom) and written presentation (via Final Report). 

 

Textbooks:

 

Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, Russell K. Schutt.  Third Edition.  Pine Forge Press, 2000.

 

Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of the Essentials, Mildred L. Patten, 2nd Edition.  Pyrczak Publishing, 2000.

 

Learning Strategies: Group Discussions, Individual Projects (Final Papers), Collaborative Learning, Lectures, and Student Presentations.

 

 

Assessment:

Exams (Mid-Term, Final)                                                                         30% of grade

Topic Exercises                                                                                 20% of grade

Class presentation and participation                                                         20% of grade

Final Research Report                                                                    30% of grade

 

Class Policy for Assignments:  All class assignments must be completed by the due date – letter grades may be lowered one half-grade for every week the assignment is overdue.  If there are extenuating circumstances that require the student to ask for an extension of the deadline, it is the student’s responsibility to contact me (via phone, e-mail, in person, etc.) to arrange the terms of the extension.  The student MUST make arrangements for the extension BEFORE the due date arrives (i.e., no coming to class on the day the assignment is due and then asking me for an extension!).

 

Students will assigned a semester research paper (7-12 pages in length, due at the end of semester), and will also be responsible for a short, informal presentation in class of the findings of their research paper. 

 

Grading Scale: 

 

A: 92-100                A-: 90-91                  B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77                 C-: 70-71                 D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:  Attendance for this class is mandatory, for the simple reason that we meet only once a week and it is easy to fall behind if you miss several classes in a row.  Students are expected to be on time for class. Students entering class late are expected to do so quietly and in a courteous manner.  More than two unexcused absences from class will result in your failing the course.  Excused absences must be arranged with and approved by Dr. Riley prior to the class date itself.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:  All electronic devices (cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc.) will be turned off during the class period, unless the student has a compelling reason for keeping it on during class.  It is advised that students refrain from responding to their electronic devices unless it is an emergency.

 

Course Outline:

 

Class Dates:                                                                                                       Topics/Assignments:

 

January 8                                                                                            Course Introduction and Overview

Patten: A-1 – A-6; A-13, B-14 – B-15                                       Chapter 1 in Schutt

                               

January 15                                                                                          Process/Problems of Social Research

Patten: A-7 – A-10, A-12                                                                                Chapter 2 in Schutt

                                                                                                                Homework: Develop Research Proposal

 

January 22                                                                                          Conceptualization and Measurement

Patten: D-24 – D-31                                                                       Chapter 3 in Schutt

                                                                                                                ** Research Proposal Due **

 

January 29                                                                                          Sampling Techniques

Patten: C-17 – C-22                                                                       Chapter 4 in Schutt

                                                                                                               

February 5                                                                                          Causation and Research Design

Patten: A-3, A-4 – A-6                                                                      Chapter 5 in Schutt

                                                                                                                Hmk: Add Methodology to Res. Proposal

 

February 12                                                                                        Experiments, Experimental Design

Patten: E-32 – E-36                                                                           Chapter 6 in Schutt

                                                                                                                ** Revised Research Proposal Due **

 

February 19                                                                                        Survey Research and Design

**Survey Exercise                                                                               Chapter 7 in Schutt

                                                                                                                Review for Mid-Term Exam

                                                                                                                Hmk:  Add Survey to Res. Proposal

 

February 26                                                                                        MID-TERM EXAMINATION

 

March 5                                                                                                                Qualitative Methods

**Qualitative Methods Exercise                                                               Chapter 8 in Schutt

                                                                                                                ** Revised Research Proposal Due **               

Hmk:  Add Qual. Mthds to Res. Proposal

** Begin Data Collection Using Survey **               

 

March 12                                                                                              Historical and Comparative Methods

                                                                Chapter 9 in Schutt

                                                                                                                ** Revised Research Proposal Due **

                                                                                                                ** Continue Data Collection **

                                                                                                                Hmk: Bring Data to Class Next Week

 

March 19                                                                                              Data Analysis

Patten: F-39, F-40, F-43 – F45 (Descriptive);                     Chapter 10 in Schutt

Patten: F-37, F-38, F-41 – F42, F-47 – F-50 (Inferential)                ** Bring Data to Class **

 

March 26                                                                                              Multiple Methods in Context

                                                                Chapter 11 in Schutt

                                                                                    Hmk: Analysis, Begin Writing Report!!

 

April 2                                                                                                   Writing and Reporting Research

                                                                Chapter 12 in Schutt

                                                                Hmk:  Finish Writing Research Report

 

April 9                                                                                                   Writing and Reporting Research

                                                                                                                CLASS PRESENTATIONS

                                                                                                                FINAL RESEARCH REPORTS DUE!

 

April 16                                                                                                                FINAL EXAM

 

Class Participation: Class participation is crucial to obtaining the most benefit from this course.  Students are responsible for reviewing and analyzing the assigned readings and MUST be prepared to discuss them in class.  The very heart of research deals with the complexities of doing research in the real world.  Therefore, I require critical thinking and participation from the students, regarding the issues discussed in class.  Also, students will be engaged in classroom discussion by working through a variety of in-class exercises – I intend for these exercises to be fun.  You do not have to worry about whether what you contribute to the class discussion is always “100% correct” or not.  The object here is to stimulate thought and gain competency in concepts relating to research methodology and to discuss them openly and freely.

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy: Please see the Degree Completion Program’s Student Handbook for withdrawal policy.  All withdrawals are completed through the Degree Completion Academic Advisor’s office.