RESEARCH METHODS
FALL 2012 SYLLABUS
Instructor: Maritza Concha, Ph.D.
Email: maritzac@hotmail.com; Maritza@covianconsulting.com
Meeting: Monday EDT 7:00 to 9:30 pm
Class format: Distance Learning
Required Textbook: Gray, D. (2009). Doing Research in the Real World. Second
Edition. California: Sage Publications.
Optional textbook: Pallant, J. (2010). SPSS Survival Manual. Fourth Edition. Berkshire:
Open University Press.
Course Description: This course provides an introduction of the principles, methods
and data collection mechanisms in social science. This course aims to provide an
understanding of research and apply it in real world cases. Students will be able to
develop measurable research questions and hypotheses; develop theoretical and/or
evidence based literature review; identification of research methods designs and sampling
procedures; and development of reliable and valid research tools.
Course Objectives:
Students in this course will:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Understand the importance of research methods within the non-profit setting;
Gain a comprehensive understanding of ethical implications in research;
Create a valid and reliable research instrument;
Explore and understand quantitative and qualitative methods; research designs,
sampling procedures and data collection mechanisms;
e. Understand the strengths and weakness of research designs and survey
construction; and
f. Develop a well written research proposal which includes understanding and
application of main research concepts.
Policies:
1. Academic Honesty
Plagiarism, copying, and all other types of cheating will not be tolerated. All
abuses will be reported to the University. Students found guilty of academic
dishonesty may receive result in failure or dismissal. For more detailed
information about the honor code, please see:
http://www.nd.edu/~hnrcode/docs/handbook.htm
2. Disability Access Statement
Students with disabilities should provide the instructor with the appropriate
documentation. No accommodation will be provided until the student has met
with the professor to request accommodations. For more information contact the
Office of Disability Services at 574‐631‐7157.
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3. Attendance: If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to find someone to
help with your notes. Please note: from time to time it may be necessary to adjust
our schedule of readings. If you miss a class, make sure you understand where
we are (in relation to our readings and assignments). Attendance is important to
ensure the student has a comprehensive understanding of the content covered in
this course.
4. Communication: The best way to contact the instructor is via email. During the
first day of classes, students are expected to provide their email address to their
colleagues and instructor.
5. Questions: Please see me as soon as possible if you have any questions on the
notes or readings in this class. I cannot help you if I do not know you need help!
6. Late Work: Late work will be docked 1 point per day, beginning as soon as
class is dismissed on the day the assignment is due.
7. Grievances: I make it a point to carefully review each paper before assigning a
grade. If you have a question about your grade, please make an appointment
outside of class.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the material, it is easy to fall behind. Students are required
to complete all readings and assignments before class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1 Class assignments: Students will be asked to complete an assignment during
class. Although preliminary discussion of the assignment will take place during
class, students are expected to turn in the final assignment to the instructor via email before the beginning of next class. Each assignment will account for 1 point.
2. Term Project Assignments: Each student will be responsible to develop a
research proposal on a research topic. The project will be divided into 5
assignments. The instructor will provide feedback for each assignment to ensure
that the student is in the right track. The 5 term project assignments worth 2 point
each. Late assignments will be docked .5 point per day. The assignments consist
of:
a) Term assignment 1
Provide an introduction which introduces the issue area. Here you need to specify why
this area is important and the relevance of the topic on today's world. Also, you need to
provide your research questions.
b) Term assignment 2
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Conduct a literature review based on the topic you have selected. You can conduct the
literature review following the theoretical or evidence based approach. Also, you need
have a clear understanding of your independent and dependent variables. Your literature
review should provide information of each variable and the relationship between the two.
At the end of the literature review, you should be able to provide your hypotheses.
c) Term assignment 3
Identify the unit of analysis and operationalize your variables. Here you need to
describe how you are going to measure your independent and dependent
variables.
d) Term assignment 4
Based on your table of operations, create your survey or focus group /interview
questions. Make sure you cover all indicators in your instrument. If you develop a
survey, explain the design you used (e.g., Likert, Guttman, Bogardus, Thurstone, or
Semantic Differential scales or a combination of several of these). What are the
advantages/disadvantages of these designs? If you develop focus group/interview guiding
questions, you should provide the rationale for the questions and the advantages and
disadvantages of open ended questions.
e) Term assignment 5
In this assignment, you need to provide a description of how your research instrument
would be administered. Keep in mind the following:
· Include time lines, locations,
· How would you select study participants?
· Is it a telephone or face-to-face administration? What are the
advantages/disadvantages of the design you selected?
· What ethical implications will you consider to protect human subjects?
3. Midterm and Final examinations: Students are expected to be prepared for
midterm and final examinations and to take them at the designated times.
Students can make up a missed exam ONLY IF arrangements have been
made prior to the date of the exam. The exam will be e-mailed to students at the
assigned date on the course calendar.
4. Final Project: Students are expected to develop a final research proposal. This
proposal will be based on the five assignments developed during class. The length
of the paper should between 12-15 pages (not including cover page, executive
summary, and appendix). The paper will be based on developing a hypothesis
concerning an issue, providing evidence based foundation for this hypothesis, and
designing a research instrument. Students are also expected to make a
presentation based on the research project at the end of the semester. The due date
for both final paper and presentations are noted on the course schedule.
The following information is the final paper rubric. Grading will be based on the completion and
quality of the stated deliverables.
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Sections
Possible
Points
A. Initial
Cover page (name of group members, title and class number)
5 points
Executive summary (one page)
Table of contents
B. Introduction
5 points
Purpose of the research
Research questions
C. Literature Review (at least 10 academic references)
15 points
Describe your problem
Clearly identify and explain your independent and dependent variables. This
requires a brief literature review on each variable and measurement indicators.
Include other studies similar than yours that can explain the relationship you are
seeking to explain.
Provide hypotheses
D. Operationalizing your variables
15 points
Identify your unit of analysis
Table of operational definitions of your variables
E. Methodology
15 points
Identify the research design
Explain whether you use quantitative methods and/or qualitative methods
Explain type of statistical analysis you will be using or content analysis if you are
using qualitative methods
F. Survey design
Explain what type of survey instrument you will be using (with in-depth
elaboration). For example: You may choose Likert, Guttman, Bogardus,
Thurstone, or Semantic Differential scales (or a combination of several of these).
What are the advantages/disadvantages of the design (s) you selected?
Explain what type of questions would you use if you develop focus
group/interview guiding questions. What are the advantages and disadvantages of
open-ending questions?
Identify the steps you will take to make a reliable and valid research instrument.
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15 points
G. Administration of the survey
10 points
Provide information on how would you select participants (sampling methods)
Include time lines, locations on where will you administer your research
instrument
Identify whether you will administer the instrument via telephone, online or face
to face. Provide advantages and disadvantages of your selection.
Identify a list of stakeholders you need to collaborate to facilitate the
implementation of your study
Include ethical considerations
H. Limitations
10 points
Provide limitations to your study (e.g., internal and external validity issues)
I. Conclusion
5 points
Re-instate the importance of your study and contributions to the field
Appendix (Provide a copy of the research instrument tool)
J. APA Style*
Proper use of APA (AVOID I or WE)
2.5 points
Reference List
K. Logic, Flow, and Understanding of Material
The writing reflects high quality work demonstrating clarity of ideas and an
integration of concepts. The use of subheadings and transitional sentences
between subsections is required.
Total points
2.5 points
100
*NOTE: For APA Style, visit Purdue Online Writing Lab at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Grading For Course
Assignment
Class assignments
Term assignments
Midterm examination
Points
10
10
25
Term paper
Final examination
Paper Presentation
Total Points
25
20
10
100
5
GRADING POINTS Using (+ -)
100
93
89
86
83
79
76
72
Below 70
94
90
87
84
80
77
73
70
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CF
Schedule: The instructor reserves the right change the class schedule at any time.
Weeks
August 20
Topics
Introduction and review of syllabus
Gray: Chapter 1 and 2
Class activity
August 27
Writing research proposals and research ethics
Gray: Chapter 3 and 4
Class activity
September 3
Quantitative methods
Gray: Chapter 6
Class activity
Due: Term Assignment 1
September 10
Qualitative methods
Gray: Chapter 7
Guest Speaker: Dr. Nathanie Meemon (Madihol University,
Thailand)
September 17
Conceptualization of study variables and designing descriptive and
analytical surveys
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Gray: Chapter 9
Class activity
Due: Term Assignment 2
September 24
Evaluation research
Gray: Chapter 11
Individual activity
October 1
Action research and change
Gray: Chapter 12
Guest Speaker: Dr. Maria Elena Villar (Florida International
University, Miami, Florida)
Due: Term assignment 3
October 8
MID-TERM EXAM
October 15
MID-TERM BREAK
October 22
Questionnaire construction
Gray: Chapter 13
Class activity
October 29
Interviewing
Gray: Chapter 14
Due: Term assignment 4
Class activity
November 5
Analyzing and presenting quantitative data
Gray: Chapter 17
Class activity
November 12
Analyzing and presenting qualitative data
Gray: Chapter 18
Class activity
Due: Term assignment 5
7
November 19
Writing up research proposals
Gray: Chapter 19
Guest Speaker: To be determined
November 26
Students Presentations- Part I
Due: Final project
December 3
Students Presentations-Part II
Final exam review
December 10
FINAL EXAM
Disclaimer Statement: Please note this is a tentative syllabus, and the instructor reserves
the right to make any changes that may be necessary to meet the objectives of the course.
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