Psychology 300 – Methods of Inquiry (4 credits)
Winter term, 2008
M~W~F 9:35 – 10:45
Professor:
Office:
Office Hrs:
CRN 10357
Michael C. Anziano, Ph.D.
email: anziano_m@fortlewis.edu
276 Education/Bus. Hall
Phone: 247-7646 (voicemail also)
M, W, F: 11-12; 2:30-3:30; Tues: 9-10
(Other times by appointment)
Course Text: Lomand, T.C. (2005). Social science research (4th Ed.). Glendale, CA:
Pyrczak Publishing.
(A series of supplementary readings provided by the professor are also required).
Course Purpose and Content
This course is designed to introduce the psychology major to non-experimental
research methods or qualitative methods of inquiry used in the social and behavioral
sciences. Psyc 300 presents an introduction to the naturalistic methods, theories and
content of qualitative research. Similarities and differences between experimental and
naturalistic research will be examined as well as the selection of appropriate methodology
for specific research projects carried out by students in the course. Your understanding of
qualitative methods and your participation in naturalistic research in a local Service
Agency will help prepare you for graduate study, internships in the social sciences and
many careers in the field of psychology.
Course Format
The general format for the course will consist of lectures, discussion, participantobservation and class presentations by student groups. Pairs of students will work with
service agencies in the local community to conduct participant observation and
ethnographic research. Student teams will work with a particular community agency,
participate in the agency’s general service delivery, and collect various types of data in
order to prepare a Research Paper and Poster Presentation near the end of the term.
Teams will choose or be assigned to a service agency in the community. Students are
required to participate 4 hours per week in the agency in order to implement the methods
of ethnographic and naturalistic research. ( Some class time will be given each week for the
agency placement and research).
Course Requirements and grading
Research Proposal.
Each team will submit a Research Proposal that includes a research
question, proposed methodology for collecting data, ethical considerations and a brief
literature review with relevant references. The Proposal also needs to be situated in a
psychological context that involves theory and/or psychological concepts.
In – class Exam.
Covers material from lectures, discussion and assigned readings.
Research paper drafts.
Students are required to prepare a first draft of the Final
Research Paper, prior to the revision of the final paper. Drafts are due on March 24th in
preparation for the in-class editing session on that day. Good quality drafts with selected
references are essential for this editing work.
Group Presentation.
Each research team is required to present their research
question, methodology and findings to the class. Team presentations are scheduled near
the campus Poster Session, so that presentations and posters will coordinate their research
results, conclusions and interpretations. Guidelines and suggestions for presentation
format will be discussed in class.
Research Paper.
Each team will prepare a formal research paper that includes a review
of literature, research question situated in the context of the literature and the particular
agency, methodology section, results, and discussion. Guidelines for the paper will be
presented and discussed in class by the professor.
Class Participation.
Although not technically a seminar, this small class will require
students’ active participation and discussion. Participation means making an intellectual
contribution to readings and class discussions. Participation obviously requires your
attendance in class, but it is more than simply coming to class, rather it means coming
class prepared to discuss the readings and your applications of the course content in your
research sites.
Psychology Poster Session.
Each Team will present their research question,
methodology and findings in an evening Poster Session near the end of the term. Date TBA.
Group work and individual work:
This class is a combination of your individual work on
exams and reflective writing and class participation along with your collaboration with
others on a research team assigned to a particular community agency. Success in the
course does require social skills and social maturity in working both with your research
team and the community agency.
Disability statement:
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations
to fully participate in the course must register with the campus Disability Services, and
bring a letter of accommodations to the professor as early in the term as possible.
Psyc 300 – Dr. Anziano Winter, 2008
Jan
Feb
CRN 10357
Course Sequence
Reading
7
9
11
Course introduction and overview
Discussion of community research sites
Qualitative methods & non-experimental research
None
14
16
18
Professionalism in the research site – Guest speaker
Qualitative methods ~ Ethnographic research
Qualitative research – “The myth of peer pressure”
21
23
25
Research sites and the IRB process
Documentary film – West 47th St
Agency placement site - Lab
28
30
1
Development of the Research Proposal (lecture)
Research in marriage therapy
Participant observation in the agency setting
4
6
8
Catch up and review for exam
In-class Exam
Agency placement site - Lab
11
13
15
Documentary film – The Boys of Baranka
Interview techniques
Agency placement site - Lab
18
20
22
Research Proposal presentations
Student presentations
Student presentations
25
27
29
Student presentations
Qualitative research in “cyberspace”
Psyc 300 Lab at research site
~~~~~~~~~~
Mar
MWF 9:35 – 10:45
spring break
Article 1
Article 21
Handouts
Article 5
All of Above
All to date
Handout
Article 22
~~~~~~~~~~
10
12
14
Ethical considerations in qualitative research
Generation “x” (?) and young adults today
Gen x continued or Agency placement Lab
17
19
21
Ethnography, data analysis and interpretation
Research Paper writing Guidelines
No class – psychology student advising
Handout
Article 25
Handout
Apr
24
26
28
First Draft of Paper Due !!!! - Editing workshop
Research examples – Head Start Family Centers
Research Team conferences / Agency site Lab
31
2
4
Mental Health Agencies – issues in case management Article 23
Open date for catch up / presentations / poster preparation
7
9
11
Student presentations
Student presentations
Student presentations ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Final Paper Due!!
14
16
18
Presentations continued
Presentations continued
Presentations continued
Handout
Student Presentations
Due dates and grade weights appear below
In-class Exam
Research Proposal
Paper draft # 1
Group presentation
Final Research paper
Poster
Class Participation
Feb 6
Feb 18
March 24
As scheduled
April 11
April ___
Ongoing
50 points
25 points
25 points
50 points
50 points
25 points
25 points
Total 250