School of General Studies
Research and Technology Course Syllabus
GE 2026 Section WB01
January 2 – January 20, 2015
Prerequisites: English Composition ENG 1030 (or equivalent), Speech Communication as Critical Citizenship COMM 1402, and
Introduction to Academic Reading CS 0412 (if required through placement testing)
Instructor
Contact Information
Course Hours and Rooms
Office Hours
Learning Support Services
Paula Horii
phorii@kean.edu
908-578-4479
MTWTHF
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CAS 202
By Appointment
Union Campus
Designated Research Librarian
Computer labs/Library and Internet literature resources
Tutoring and Learning Office – CAS 124 http://www.kean.edu/~castutor/
Writing Center – CAS 124
Video modules/Lib Guide http://libguides.kean.edu/researchtech
Blackboard
Atomic Learning
Textbook companion website: www.uk.sagepub.com/kumar4e
Course Description
This course will introduce students to research design and methodology, as well as to disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives of
the research process. Students will learn how to design and implement a research project appropriate for their major discipline.
Students will learn how to use technology for research and the communication of research results. Students will also learn how to
critically evaluate the validity, reliability, and limitations of research results. Emphasis will be placed on adherence of the university’s
standards and academic integrity.
Instructional Methods: An interactive learning approach will be used to instruct this course. Individual and group activities will involve
peer critiques, evaluation of published research, field assignments, on-line reviews, and other assignments.
Textbook and Materials
Required Custom Text
Custom Bundle: Kean University: Research Methods and Technology Custom P+E Bundle, 1st edition. Thousand Oaks,
California. Sage Publications, Inc. (ISBN: 9781483378961)
Required Resources
♦ USB flash drive
♦ Kean email account
♦ Kean Blackboard account
♦ Library Barcode
♦ Registration with Turnitin.com
General Education Student Learning Outcomes: For a complete list of General Education Student Learning Outcomes, see
http://www.kean.edu/~gened/. Upon completion of the course, students will demonstrate the following:
General Education Student Learning Outcomes
GE Student Learning Outcomes – Knowledge
Students will demonstrate proficiency in knowledge to content by:
K1 Applying the scientific method to understand natural concepts and processes
GE Student Learning Outcomes – Skills
Students will demonstrate the skills and technology necessary to:
S1 Write to communicate and clarify learning
S2 Communicate effectively through speech
S3 Solve problems using quantitative reasoning
1
S4 Think critically using concepts in multiple discipline
S5 Demonstrate information literacy
GE Student Learning Outcomes – Values
Students will exhibit a set of values that demonstrates:
V2 Ethical and social responsibility
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe a variety of research strategies and tools
♦ Demonstrate understanding of the purpose and process for conducting research
♦ Explain research design and methodology
♦ Articulate an understanding of research tools
2. Write a formal research paper
3. Present the results of the research
♦ Apply technology to communicate the research question, proposal, findings, etc.
4. Work well with others to conduct projects
♦ Describe disciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives on the research process and projects studied
♦ Articulate diverse perspectives that contribute to the research process and to the interpretation of results through the
examination of variables such as gender, race, religion, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation
♦ Evaluate and critique in a professional manner the oral presentations of other students according to a pre-defined set of
criteria established by the instructor
5. Demonstrate information literacy skills through application of research techniques and build upon them when conducting future
research projects.
6. Utilize proper citation methods and knowledge of a proper report formation and style system for the following purposes:
♦ Initiate focused research that can lead to answerable questions
♦ Identify the reproducibility and reliability of research results, their interpretation, and their range of validity and application
♦ Actively expand everyday learning through improved research skills
♦ Critically assess research sources for bias by evaluating substantiated arguments and the reliability of results
7. Adhere to University standards of academic integrity in research
Assessment
The student’s grade for this course will be determined as follows:
%
10
20
Activity
Research Problem
Research Proposal and First Draft: (May include revised
research problem, annotated bibliography, literature review,
proposed methodology as specified by professor)
*A mandatory meeting with Professor to review proposal
and/or first draft is required
Final Research Paper/Report: (Research Proposal with
revisions, collected data, analysis, results and conclusions;
include appropriate figures/tables/charts/graphs/references)
Tentative Completion by:
Week of January 5
Week of January 12
15
Oral Presentation(s) as specified by professor (Handouts)
20
Miscellaneous Assignments: (May include quizzes/tests,
external observations, evaluations of published research,
grant writing, experience as a researcher, electronic
assignments, formal literature review, etc.) (Handouts)
Class Participation, Attendance, & Activities: (Group
discussions, critiques, electronic assignments) Class time may
be allowed for data collection and/or individual meetings
(Handouts)
Weeks of January 12 and
January 19
Assignment
(Weekly)
25
10
The following rubrics will be used to assess student learning outcomes:
2
Week of January 19
Cumulative
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Writing Rubric
Speaker Evaluation Form
Critical Thinking Rubric
Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
Information Literacy Rubric
Course Requirements and Expectations
All students must complete the following, at a minimum, to pass the course:
NIH Certification
Multiple drafts of research problem
Research proposal as specified by professor
Research Paper – rough draft and final paper
Oral presentation
Research Project – Based on a topic approved by your professor, the following elements will be submitted in stages and by specified
due dates.
♦ Research problem revised several times
♦ Research proposal following guidelines specified by professor
♦ Rough draft following guidelines specified by professor
♦ Final paper
● Minimum of 15 typed pages of text: 12 pt. font (Times New Roman), double-spaced, 1–inch margins all sides
● Additional cover page including, at a minimum: Title, Student’s name, Course name, Section number, Instructor’s
name
● Outline of the paper in the form of a table of contents
● Additional page(s) containing a minimum of properly formatted reference citations
● Proper APA format, or as specified by instructor (MLA, etc.). If the student would prefer to use a different format, this
MUST be approved at the beginning of the semester
● Standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
● Original work of the student
Oral Presentation – Present the research to the class. The following are the minimum criteria for the presentation:
♦ Presentation of 5 – 7 minutes. If additional time is needed, notify the instructor so that the presentation can be effectively
scheduled.
♦ Minimum of 6 effectively formatted PowerPoint slides following guidelines specified by professor
♦ Hard copy or emailed copy of presentation, as specified by professor
♦ Original work of the student
Miscellaneous Assignments – Students will also be assigned miscellaneous homework assignments that may include the following:
♦ Homework Portfolio – Students will complete a series of assignments to prepare them for their research.
♦
Evaluation of Published Research – You may be assigned to read a published research report and answer specific
questions about it. Your answers will demonstrate your understanding of material in the textbook and class lectures.
♦
National Institute of Health Certification Protecting Human Subject Research Participants – You will be required to
complete this online training and send the accompanying certificate to professor.
♦
Quizzes – There will be two quizzes to assess your knowledge of the lecture and textbook content.
Class Participation, Attendance, Activities
♦ Attendance/Participation – Attendance and participation are mandatory. Being engaged is integral to your success. Texting
during class and anything else deemed not on task and/or disruptive will result in a lowering of your participation grade. Oral
participation during class is factored into your participation grade.
3
♦
♦
♦
Lateness – Arriving late affects you, your professor, and your classmates. Students not seated by the time attendance is
taken will be marked late. Each three late arrivals will be counted as an absence. Please notify me at the beginning of the
semester if you have a class that meets on the East Campus or at Harwood the period immediately before our class.
Group Discussions and Activities – Students are required to participate in a variety of group discussions based on the
readings and/or other assignments.
Critique – Students will be required to critique the written and oral performance of their fellow students. Evidence of such
critique will consist of written documentation and/or oral commentary. Critiques are expected to be professional, thoughtful,
and helpful. Students will be expected to evaluate the usefulness of critiques that they receive.
Late Work Policy
Assignments and activities need to be submitted at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Absence from class does not waive
assignment deadlines. In the case of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain missed assignments and submit due
assignments on time via email. Assignments will not be marked late in the event of a documented emergency.
Technology Expectations – Students are required to maintain an active e-mail account during this course. Kean University provides
all students with a free account, which should be used. Students are required to evidence competence in the following:
✓ Microsoft Word – for preparation of the paper and development of electronic submissions
✓ Microsoft PowerPoint – to support the oral presentation
✓ Internet tools – Browser and Search Engines – to research assigned topics and interface with the Kean University
Library
✓ E-mail – for private communication with the Instructor and fellow students – simple e-mail as well as sending and
receiving attachments
✓ Other – as required by instructor or College outline
Grading Scale:
A = 100-93
A- = 92-90
B+ = 89-86
B = 86-83
B- = 82-80
4
C+ = 79-77
C = 76-70
D = 69-65
F= 64<
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES
Reading and writing assignments are DUE the class following the date assignments are given—in other words, at the next class. Many
class exercises will be based on these assignments, so successful completion of class exercises will depend on the student’s
preparation. Please note that dates and assignments are subject to change.
Class Schedule and Due Dates
WEEK
1
Jan. 2
2
Jan. 5-9
TOPIC
Introductions and Overview
Course Objectives/What is Research?
Readings/ Assignments/Activities
Read Chapters 1-2
Thinking Like a Researcher
Read Chapter 18
Formulating the Research Problem
and Reviewing the Literature
Read Chapters 3-6
Conceptualizing a Research Design
Read Chapters 7-8
Ethics in Research
Read Chapters 9 & 14
Library Visit
Research Topic Due (Jan. 6)
Submit and Discuss draft of Research Problem/Introductory
Paragraph (Jan. 8 and 9)
Review Rubrics
NIH – Human Subjects Certificate Due by Jan. 9
Quiz I (Jan. 9)
3
Jan. 12-16
External Observation Assignment Due (Jan. 12)
Research Strategies: Types of Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
Read Chapter 13
Working With Data/Methodology/Statistics
Read Chapters 15 & 16
Writing a Research Report
Read Chapter 17
Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography Assignment Due (Jan. 13)
Outline
Outline Due (Jan. 14)
First Draft of Research Paper
First Draft of Research Paper Due (Jan. 15)
Oral Presentations
Oral Presentations (Jan. 15 and Jan. 16)
Quiz II (Jan. 16)
4
Jan. 19-20
No Class Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Oral Presentations (Jan. 20)
Oral Presentations
Final Draft of Research Paper Due (Jan. 20)
Last Day of Class Jan. 20
5
University Academic Integrity Policy
“Kean University provides academically rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs that adhere to the twin principles of honesty
and academic integrity” –Kean University Academic Integrity Policy.
Copying from a book or other material without giving credit to the author, copying other students’ work, doing other students’
assignments for them, or pretending in any way that someone else’s work is yours, is a serious unethical act. It will result in failure in
the assignment and possible failure in the course. Extensive or repeated academic dishonesty can result in dismissal from the
university. Students are responsible for reviewing and understanding the Kean University Academic Integrity Policy:
http://www.kean.edu/admin/uploads/pdf/AcademicIntegrityPolicy.pdf.
University Campus Alert System
Students are strongly encouraged to register for the University's emergency notification system in order to be informed of campus
emergencies, weather notices, and other announcements. Students can register for Campus Alert at one of the following links:
http://www.kean.edu/KU/Campus-Alert or http://www.mir3.com/kean.
Student Code of Conduct
Kean University is committed to providing a campus environment where students can grow intellectually and develop as a people and
has a code of conduct to ensure that certain standards of conduct are followed. Students and visitors are expected to uphold and abide
by the standards of conduct that form the basis of the student code.
Students should review the Student Code of Conduct: http://www.kean.edu/KU/Code-of-Conduct.
The Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook is available at: http://www.kean.edu/KU/Forms-Policies-and-Publications.
Violations of the code may be received from individuals, police reports or incidents referred through another department within the
University. Determination of a violation is made only after a complete investigation of the complaint. A Student Conduct Conference or a
Student Conduct Hearing may be held to determine if a violation of community standards occurred. T he O ffice of S tudent C onduct
works closely with the Residence Life Judicial System, Greek Life Judicial Board, Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic
Affairs, the Affirmative Action Office, Athletics, and Campus Police.
For further information, please refer to: http://www.kean.edu/KU/Code-of-Conduct or visit or call the Office of Student Conduct located in
the University Center, Room 315, Phone: (908) 737-5240 or Fax: (908) 737-5245.
Americans with Disabilities Statement & Non-Discrimination Statement: Kean University is an affirmative action, equal
opportunity institution. Students with documented disabilities who may need special instructional accommodations or who may need
special arrangements in the event of an evacuation should notify the instructor as soon as possible, no later than the second week of
the term. Students may contact Kean Disability Office in Downs Hall Rm 127 to discuss special needs, (908) 737-4910.
KU Non-Discrimination Policy: Kean University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
Kean E-Mail Account Policy
All Kean University students must have a valid Kean e-mail account. For those who do not already have one, forms are available online at http://www.kean.edu/KU/forms-OCIS; click on E-Mail Account Request Form. Please allow 5 business days for processing. The
completed from should be returned vial mail or in person to: Kean University, Account Request: CSS-113, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union,
NJ 07083
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