SPPA 6150 Syllabus and Course Outline, Hillenbrand, Summer term, 2016
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SPPA 6150
Seminar: Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology`
I. Grading:
a. Exam: 30%
b. Project: 70%
The project grade will be based on your oral presentation (35%), your written paper (50%),
and your contributions to the discussion of your colleagues' presentations (15%). The exam will be
a combination of short answer, short essay, and possibly multiple choice. The date for the exam
will be announced at least a week in advance. There will be no final exam, although we will meet
during the finals week at our regular class time to finish the last of the oral presentations.
As you can see, your grade will be based primarily on your project. The project is described
in detail in a separate document. Your grade for the project will be determined by: (1) your oral
presentation (35%), (2) your written paper (50%), and (3) the contributions you make to seminar
discussions (15%).
Due date for written report of project: August 8th
II. Attendance
I will not keep track of attendance during the lecture portion of the course, but attendance is
mandatory for all oral presentations. You will lose one half of a letter grade for each unexcused
absence. Sample valid excuses: childbirth, brain injury, kidnapping (bring ransom note), invited
address to U.N. General Assembly (bring note from U.N. Secretary General). Dates for
presentations: August 8, 10, 15 and 17. (You will be assigned a presentation date at random, with
one exception: an attempt will be made to assign students who are doing studies to one of the last
two dates – if possible.)
III. Miscellaneous
Office:
Phone:
Office Hours:
Homepage:
Email:
CHHS 4468
387-8066
T,Th 2:00-3:00 (or by appointment, or stop in)
homepages.wmich.edu/~hillenbr
james.hillenbrand@wmich.edu
IV. Knowledge and Skills
This course will contribute to the development of your knowledge and skills related to
KASA Standard IV-F: Knowledge of processes used in research and the integration of research
principles into evidence-based clinical practice. The course content will be presented through
lecture and class discussion and will be assessed by an exam and by the evaluation of an oral
presentation and a paper describing your project.
NOTE: It is important to recognize that ASHA Academic Accreditation standards are now based
upon students demonstrating competencies across a wide range of areas rather than simply
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SPPA 6150 Syllabus and Course Outline, Hillenbrand, Summer term, 2016
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completing a course sequence successfully. Therefore, it is conceivable that a student could receive
a passing grade in a course, but fail to demonstrate competency across all of the topics covered in
that course. If you fail to demonstrate competencies in a particular area through organized class
activities (tests & assignments), you may have to complete additional work (i.e., remediation) in
that area before a passing grade can be assigned.
V. Academic honesty, diversity, religious observance, and student disabilities
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and
procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These
policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism,
complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under
Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been
involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will
be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will
have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain
about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
For information on the Code of Honor, and general academic policies on such issues as
diversity, religious observance, and student disabilities, see http://osc.wmich.edu and
www.wmich.edu/registrar.
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SPPA 6150 Syllabus and Course Outline, Hillenbrand, Summer term, 2016
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SPPA 615 Seminar: Analysis of Communication Disorders
Course Outline
I. Overview: Course content and course objectives
II. Kinds of Research
A. experimental vs. descriptive
B. independent variables, dependent measures, and parameters
C. classification variables and criterion variables
III. Types of Experimental Research
A. bivalent and multivalent designs
B. parametric or factorial designs
C. interactions
IV. Types of Descriptive Research
A. comparative research
B. developmental research
1. how to determine what is changing as a function of age
2. separating the effects of experience from those of maturation
C. correlational research
1. scatter plots, regression lines, and the Pearson r
2. the coefficient of determination
3. common problems with the interpretation of correlational data
D. survey research
1. the "experimenter demand" effect
2. cognitive dissonance
3. wording effects (denotation vs. connotation)
4. context effects
5. sampling problems
6. intuitive vs. empirical methods of survey construction
IV. Some Criteria for Evaluating Research
A. reliability vs. validity
B. internal vs. external validity
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SPPA 6150 Syllabus and Course Outline, Hillenbrand, Summer term, 2016
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C. factors that influence internal validity
1. history artifacts
2. maturation artifacts
3. instrumentation artifacts
4. experimenter bias (Rosenthal Effect, Hawthorne Effect)
5. statistical regression
6. subject-selection
7. subject "mortality" or attrition
IV. Research Designs
A. between-subjects vs. within-subjects designs
B. single-subject and small-N research
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