Sociology 307 – Research Methods I
Instructor: Jake Jantzer, Ph.D.
Office: Scobey 216 Phone: (605) 688-4893
E-mail: jacob.jantzer@sdstate.edu (please avoid using the D2L email system)
This course examines the sociological research process. This includes selection and formulation of
research problems, basic research concepts, propositions and scientific theories. Students will
participate in elementary research design and data collection procedures, as well as course research
projects when possible.
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course, as stated above, is to provide a background in methods for the scientific
study of social phenomena. By the end of this class:
1) Students should be able to implement scientific strategies for interpreting information.
This includes critically evaluating the data claims are based on, and evaluating the
quality of arguments for particular claims. Student success for this objective will be
measured using group projects, the paper peer review, and the course paper.
2) Students should be able to design and implement strategies for gathering scientific
information about social phenomena. This includes choosing the methods for gathering
data, the type of analysis to perform, the sample design, and the possible shortcomings
of various approaches to those aspects of research. Student success for this objective
will be measured using student projects, the weekly quizzes, the final paper, and the
final exam.
3) Students should be able to communicate effectively regarding sociological research.
Success for this objective will be measured using the final course paper, the peer paper
review, and the paper presentation.
4) Students should be able to correctly define and identify the terms associated with
sociological research methods. Success for this objective will be measured using the
weekly quizzes, the final paper, and the final examination.
Required Text Books:
Daniel F. Chambliss and Russell K. Schutt. 2012. Making Sense of the Social World. 4th Edition. SAGE
Publications, Inc.
Supplemental Readings:
Additional readings may be assigned during the course, but will only include readings available in the
University Library or online.
Freedom in learning
Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are
enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be
evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception
to the data or views offered in any course of study. Students who believe that an academic
evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their
personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course. If the student
remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college
which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Disability:
If you are a student with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodations in order to
participate in this class, please inform me at the beginning of the semester to make the appropriate
arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). The Office of Disability Services is located in
Wintrode Student Success Center Room 125. To schedule an appointment, call the coordinator of
Disability Services, Nancy J.Hartenhoff-Crooks at 605-688-4504.
Course Structure:
This course requires a variety of approaches. It is important that students gain experience in
implementing the concepts described in texts and lectures. Therefore, the course will combine lecture,
individual readings, group projects, multiple choice quizzes, paper writing, and a final examination.
Evaluation Components and Course Requirements:
Assessment Tools for Students:
1) Weekly Quizzes
a. Once a week, I will administer a multiple-choice quiz to measure student understanding
of the reading material for the course.
2) Paper Projects
a. Throughout the term, students will produce small projects which will help them to
successfully complete the final course paper (instructions for the paper will be
distributed separately and are available on D2L). Due dates for these projects are listed
on the syllabus.
3) Small projects – Students will participate in small projects throughout the semester which will
help them to understand the concepts in the course. These projects will include a component to
be turned in, and students will be graded on their participation in those projects.
4) Attendance/participation – I will occasionally take attendance several times during the semester
without warning. Students who are absent without a university excused absence will not
receive points for attendance on those occasions.
5) Final Paper – Students will produce a paper which proposes research into a question of
sociological relevance of their own choosing (with sociological relevance). The paper will
include a brief literature review (10-20 SCHOLARLY sources) and a proposed research method
which could be used to answer the research question and add knowledge to the research
presented in the literature review. The paper should be 10-20 pages in length.
6) Peer Review of Paper – Before the final draft of the final paper is due, students will pair off and
give one another feedback regarding their papers. Students will be graded on the thoroughness
and quality of their feedback (they must turn a written copy of it in to the instructor).
7) Paper Presentations – Students are required to make an informal but professional presentation
to the class about the content of their final paper.
8) Final Exam – There will be a cumulative, multiple-choice, final exam. The final will be
administered during the scheduled final exam time, and there will be no exceptions to that date
and time unless required by University rules.
Point Totals
Quizzes: 12 x 10 pts = 120 pts
Small Projects: 12 x 10 pts = 120 pts
Paper Projects: 4 x 10 pts = 40 pts
Final Paper: 100 pts
Final Exam: 100 pts
Participation: 100 pts
Total Points:
A > 521
B – 464-521
C – 406-463
D – 348-405
F < 348
Assessment Tools for Instructor:
1) Mid-Term evaluations (written and oral)
a. As an exercise in research design, students will design a survey instrument to evaluate
the instructor and course. We will then administer the survey and the instructor will
analyze it in order to get feedback on the progress of the course from the students’
perspectives.
2) Ongoing Feedback (email, oral, written)
a. Students should feel free at any time to contact me regarding the course and give me
constructive feedback about the course.
3) End of Semester Evaluations (IDEA Surveys)
Other Things to Consider:
My Responsibility: I am a professional scholar and I take my position as your instructor seriously.
I
will make every reasonable effort to ensure that you have an opportunity to apprehend the material
presented in this course. I will be happy to hear your concerns or questions during my office hours or
through email; please contact me sooner rather than later if you feel that you are lost, falling behind, or
confused.
Student Responsibility: Students are expected to read the readings assigned, come to class, and
engage in in-class discussion and activities. Students are responsible for their own performance on the
assigned work. This responsibility includes seeking my help if students feel they are unable to keep up
with class using the readings and in-class activities.
Etiquette: Sociology deals with topics of great importance in people’s lives.
Particularly in the context
of deviance, there is a good chance we will address topics which make you uncomfortable, ideas you
disagree with, and ideas and behaviors you may find morally or otherwise objectionable. In order to
advance our understanding of social life, we must be able to treat one another with respect, and to face
aspects of human behavior we may not find personally appealing. It is critical that students maintain
open minds and a willingness to hear one another and consider their positions and experiences using
reason and careful consideration.
Unacceptable behaviors in the classroom are:
1. Criticizing another student personally.
2. Interrupting or refusing to allow other students to speak.
3. Shouting, becoming or threatening to become physically aggressive, using racist, sexist, or
homophobic epithets, or disrupting the integrity of the classroom environment by obtrusive
behavior.
4. Ignoring my authority in the classroom.
5. Checking your phone or using other electronic devices during class (sorry, I know some
people use them for note taking, but it is just too easy for you and the people around you to
get distracted)
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty will
be handled in accordance to the rules and policies of South Dakota State University.
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas, data, illustrations, or statements of another person or
source, and presenting them as one’s own. Each student is responsible for learning and using proper
method of paraphrasing, quotation, and other forms of citation, to ensure that the original author,
speaker, illustrator, or source of the material used is clearly acknowledged.
Academic Honesty: The department adopted a policy on academic honesty during the Fall, 1992,
semester that is now in effect. This policy holds all students enrolled in departmental courses to the
highest of standards of academic honesty. Consequently, you are advised that any act of academic
dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, submission of work not your own, etc.) will be subject to penalty,
including a grade of zero or F on the work in question. Please conduct yourself accordingly.