Sociology 425 — Research Methods
University of Nevada, Reno
General Course Information
Instructor: Prof. Marta Elliott
Office: Mack Social Science 306
Office Hours: Mondays 2:30 – 3:30 and Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:30
Phone: 784-4884
E-mail: melliott@unr.edu
Teaching Assistant: Melanie Duncan
Office: Mack Social Science 342
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:30 – 2:30 and Fridays 12:30 to 1:30
Phone: 784-6647
E-mail: m.duncan1@att.net
Other details
Course location: Frandsen Humanities 219
Course meetings times: Tues/Thurs 1 – 2:15 pm
Course web page: This is a WebCampus enhanced class
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide you with an introduction to the methodological
issues and practices of social research. Together, we will critically examine quantitative and
qualitative research methods to better understand how they work, what type of research questions
they are best suited for, and what are their major limitations. Throughout the semester you will
gain hands-on experience with social research methods both in and outside of class. Upon taking
this course, you will be poised to critically evaluate the methodology of scholarly studies as well
as research reported on by the media. You should also come away from this course with a
foundation for understanding social research methods from which you may build specific skills
in the areas of your choice.
Required Textbooks
Babbie, Earl. 2011. The Basics of Social Research, 5th edition. Thomson-Wadsworth.
Wysocki, Diane Kholos. 2008. Readings in Social Research Methods. 3rd edition. Thomson
Wadsworth.
Other Readings
All other readings are or will be available on the course WebCampus page.
Course Requirements
Assigned Reading: assigned readings must be completed prior to class on the day for
which they are assigned.
Attendance/Participation (25 points/5 percent): Students are required to attend class
and participate in class regularly. Students who are uncomfortable participating in class
are encouraged to meet with the instructor outside of class to discuss their concerns.
Discussion leadership (25 points/5 percent): All students will be required to lead one
class discussions on assigned readings (see WebCampus for details).
Quizzes (50 points/10 percent): There are twelve quizzes that consist of multiple choice
and true/false questions. Each quiz is worth 5 points. Although there are a total of twelve
quizzes, only the first 10 quizzes are included as part of the regular course grade. Thus,
students may earn up to 10 extra-credit points by taking all 12 quizzes. No make-up
quizzes will be given in this course.
Research Project (200 points/30 percent): All students will conduct a complete
research project over the course of the semester as a series of short assignments, all of
which will be reviewed and revised (see course schedule and remainder of syllabus for
due dates and detailed instructions). Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the
assigned dates. Assignments that are turned in late will be discounted by 10 % of their
point value per school day (Monday through Friday), including assignments that are
turned in after class on the due date. Furthermore, assignments will also be discounted
by 10 % of their point value per school day when a student drops off the paper on time
but does not attend class that day.
Examinations (100 points each for a total of 200 points/20 percent for each for a
total of 40 percent): There will be one mid-term and one final exam. They will consist
of multiple choice, true/false and short answer and short essay questions. Students may
take an exam early only under severe circumstances as determined by the instructor.
Make-up exams will be given only if the instructor is notified of a valid excuse prior to
the exam. The format of the make-up exam will be at the discretion of the instructor and
will be given at the instructor’s convenience.
Scantrons: You will need 14 scantrons (form 882-ES) for the quizzes and exams.
Academic integrity: Students will be held to the highest standards of intellectual
integrity and honesty in this class. Anyone involved in academic misconduct, including
cheating on quizzes or exams and plagiarism, will receive a failing grade of zero on the
assignment in question. A repeat violation will result in a failing grade for the course. A
full account of the Sociology Department Policy on academic dishonesty is posted on the
course homepage.
Grading
Course Requirement
Attendance/participation
Discussion leadership
Quizzes
Research Project
Mid-term exam
Final exam
Point Value
25
25
50
200
100
100
Total
500
Percent of final grade
5%
5%
10%
30%
20%
20%
100%
Extra Credit*
I.
Two extra quizzes: can earn up to 10 extra-credit points
See page 2
II.
Research participation/writing: can earn up to 20 extra credit points
(1) Participate in up to 4 research studies (equivalent of 4 SPRCs) for 5 points apiece.
Sign up through the Social Research System at http://unr-socialresearch.sonasystems.com for any of the studies that are of interest to you (Make sure that your name
is spelled correctly).
(2) Write a 10-page research paper on a topic of your choice that must be approved by the
instructor and turned in by May 4th.
Research Project
Assignment
Statement of Interest
Reference List
Review of Literature
Statement of Research Question
Proposed Method
Results
Complete draft with discussion
First draft due
Returned
1/28
2/11
2/18
3/4
3/23
4/8
4/22
2/2
2/16
2/23
3/9
3/25
4/13
4/29
2nd draft
due
2/4
2/18
3/2
3/11
3/30
4/15
5/4
Point
value
10
10
50
10
50
50
20
Reading assignments, Quiz dates, and other important dates
Read by:
1/21
1/26
1/28
2/2
2/4
2/9
2/11
2/16
2/18
2/23
2/25
3/2
3/4
3/9
3/11
3/16
3/18
3/23
3/25
3/30
4/1
4/6
4/8
4/13
4/15
4/20
4/22
4/27
4/29
5/4
5/6
Topic
Babbie text
Wysocki reader
Overview of Methods
Chapter 1
Pp 1-6
Paradigms, theory, research
Chapter 2
Pp 7-16
Theory/Research/Proposals
Chapter 15
Pp 17-40
Ethics
Chapter 3
Pp 41-46
Ethics
----Pp 47-60
Research design
Chapter 4
Pp 61-65
Research design
----Pp 66-81
Conceptualization
Chapter 5
Pp 82-85
Measurement
----Pp 86-97
Indexes
Chapter 6
Pp 92-102
Scales and typologies
----Pp 103-116
Sampling
Chapter 7
Pp 117-121
Types of samples
Pp 123-137
In-Class Round Robin of Research Questions
MIDTERM EXAM
SPRING BREAK
Experiments
Experiments
Surveys
Surveys
Field research
Field research
Content analysis
Secondary data
Evaluation research
Evaluation research
Qualitative data analysis
Quantitative data analysis
Chapter 8
--------Pp 138-151
Chapter 9
--------Pp 151-162
Chapter 10
Pp 163-168
----Pp 169-190
Chapter 11
Pp 191-193
----PP 194-212
Chapter 12
--------Pp 213-226
Chapter 13
----Chapter 14
----LAST DAY
FINAL EXAM, 12-2 PM in the classroom
Quizzes
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