Soci 5200: Introduction to Research Methods & Design
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
SOCI 5200: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGN
Fall 2017
Assistant Professor: Gül Seçkin, Ph.D. Class Date: Monday
Office: Chilton Hall 390D Class Time: 2:00 p.m-4:50 p.m.
Email: Class Location: GAB 550A
Phone: 940-369-7751 TA: Farinaz Basmechi
Office Hours:M, T& TR 1:00-1:50 pm and/ or by appointment TA Email:
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course will focus on applied empirical research process by exploring a range of approaches to social inquiry. The knowledge and the skills you will acquire throughout the semesters will build upon each other such that skills learned earlier in the semester will be necessary for your success later in the semester. In order to encourage critical thinking about the assigned readings and to stimulate classroom discussions, all students are required to complete in-class exercises. These exercises are designed to demonstrate your reflective engagement with the readings. Students need to read all assigned materials prior to the class date. The instructor will note your level of participation and attendance very closely. You need to bring your books to the class each week.
You will also employ a hands-on approach to developing your own research project. This means you will develop your own research question, hypotheses, and choose an appropriate methodology for data collection and analysis in the area of your interest. By learning about how research can be conducted appropriately, we will also learn what to look for when evaluating the research of others. I encourage you to make an appointment with me whenever you have questions and/or difficulties with any of the assignments. At the end of this course, you should have experience in developing, designing, and executing a real research project including analysis of your data. I encourage you to make an appointment with me whenever you have questions and/or difficulties with any of the topic and assignments.
At the end of this course, you should have a possession of knowledge of the following: (1) stages of the research process and procedures, (2) data collection methodologies in the social sciences, and (3) design and know how to execute manageable research projects.
REQUIRED BOOKS
(1) Durkheim, E. (2014). Rules of Sociological Method. Free Press.
(2) Lomand, T.C. (2012). Social Science Research. A Cross Section of Journal Articles for Discussion and Evaluation (Seventh Edition). Pyrczak Publishing.
(3) Patten, M. L. (2014). Understanding Research Methods. An Overview of the Essentials (Ninth Edition). Pyrczak Publishing.
(4) Singleton, R.A. & Straits, B.C. (2009). Approaches to Social Research. (Fifth Edition). Oxford University Press.
(5) Verdugo, E.D. (1998). Practical Problems in Research Methods. Pyrczak Publishing.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1: August 28
Topic: Conceptual Foundations, Elements of Research Methods
Required Readings:Chapter 1 & 4 in Singleton, Part A in Patten, Pages 1-49 in Durkheim
Week 2: September 11
Topic:Research Ethics
Required Readings: Chapters 2 & 3 in Singleton, Part F in Verdugo, Pages 50-89 in Durkheim
Complete training in use of human subjects (NIH or CITI) and responsible conduct of research (CITI). Links to sites for both training are on the UNT website for research. See website: Bring print-out of your completion certificate to the class.
Week 3: September 18
Topic: Sampling
Required Readings: Chapter 6 in Singleton, Part D in Patten, Part A in Verdugo, Pages 119-146 in Durkheim
Week 4: September 25
Topic: Measurement
Required Readings: Chapter 5 in Singleton, Part E in Patten, Part B in Verdugo
Research Proposal Part 1 Due-Peer Review
Week 5: October 2
Topic:Measurement (continued)
Required Readings:Part C in Verdugo, Pages 147-163 in Durkheim
Week 6: October 9
Topic:Survey Research, Survey Instrumentation, and Research Using Available Data
Required Readings: Chapters 9, 10 & 12 in Singleton, Survey Research in Lomand
Week 7: October 16
Topic: Qualitative Research
Required Readings: Part I in Patten, Content/Document Analysis in Lomand, Qualitative Research in Lomand
Week 8:October 23
Topic: Field Research
Required Readings: Chapter 11 in Singleton, Observational Research in Lomand
Take-Home Midterm Due–Review of Answers
Week 9: October 30
Topic:Experimental Design
Required Readings: Chapters 7 & 8 in Singleton, Part F in Patten, Part E in Verdugo, Experimental Research in Lomand
Week 10: November 6
Topic: Evaluation Research and Multiple Methods
Required Readings: Chapters 13 & 14 in Singleton, Causal-Comparative Research in Lomand, Meta-Analysis in Lomand
Week 11: November 13
Topic: Writing Research Reports
Required Reading: Chapter 17 in Singleton, Part J in Patten
Proposal Part 2 Due–Peer Review
Week 12: November 20
Topic: Data Processing and Analysis
Required Reading: Chapter 15 in Singleton, Part G in Patten, Quantitative Research in Lomand
Week 13:November 27
Topic: Data Processing and Analysis (continued)
Required Readings: Correlational Research in Lomand
Revised and Completed Proposal Due-Peer Review
Week 14:December 4
Student Presentations of Research Proposals-Peer Evaluation
Dec. 11: Take-Home Final Due by 3:30 pm
ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS & GRADING
(1) Exams-Midterm & Final:These exams will test your understanding of the course content covered in both readings and lectures. Some of your exam questions will require you to evaluate published research papers. You will have your exams one week prior to due dates. Detailed instructions about the exams will be provided ahead of time as the semester progresses.Each exam is 100 points. A total of 200 points possible.
(2)Research Proposal: Each student is required to complete a research proposal. You will, first,submit Part 1 of your proposal, which will include introduction and literature review sections. Part 2 will include methods section. You will turn in your revised final version of your proposal at the end of the semester. I will provide you with detailed instructions and templates for each part, each of which is 50 points. You will be graded separately each time you submit your proposal. A total of 150 points possible at the end of the process.
(3) Presentation:You will prepare a power point presentation of your research proposal. The purpose of this assignment is to practice communicating research idea and procedures concisely to your audience and receive their feedback. This presentation will be worth of 100 points.I will provide you with a detailed template for your presentation.
(4) In-Class Exercises: In order to encourage critical thinking about the assigned readings and to stimulate classroom discussions, you will be expected to complete in-class exercises. Even though, we will complete exercises every week, I will collect completed in-class exercises five times throughout the semester at unannounced times. You have to be present in order to earn your points.Each in-class exercise will be 10 points. You can earn a total of 50 points at the end of the semester if you attend class regularly.
COURSE POLICIES
Success in this class is measured by the degree to which students demonstrate effort, understanding, and critical analysis of the subject matter. All course assignments are to be submitted no later than due date specified on the course syllabus. Students who have a legitimate reason for submitting a late assignment should contact the instructor PRIOR to due date. The instructor reserves the right to determine whether a late assignment can be submitted without point penaltyand/or whether you can make-up a missed in-class assignment. Unapproved late assignments will be marked down three points for each day they are late. The University attorney advises faculty members to notify students that the syllabus is not a contract and is therefore subject to change. We will try to adhere to the schedule provided, but it is important to note that changes may be necessary to meet unforeseen needs and events.
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