Sociology 3900-001; Social Work 3900-001
Introduction to Sociological Research
Tennessee Tech University
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or 1100 or consent of instructor.
Spring semester, 2009
Class meeting ~ 9:30 – 10:50 TR
Classroom ~ Matthews/Daniel 204
Dr. Lachelle Norris, Associate Professor of Sociology
Office: Matthews/Daniel Hall 258
Phone: 372-6220
Email: Lnorris@tntech.edu
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesday 10am – noon. All other times by appointment.
Many of the things social scientists study--including all the social problems we intend to
solve--generate deep emotions and firm convictions in most people. This makes effective
inquiry into the facts difficult at best; all too often, we manage only to confirm our initial
prejudices. The special value of social science research methods is that they offer a way
of addressing such issues with logical and observational rigor....1
Course Description
This course will introduce you to a structured and rigorous way of thinking and arguing about our social
life by exploring the fundamental methodological issues involved in the scientific study of human social
behavior. We’ll examine how sociologists construct and pass along new knowledge within their
disciplines. We’ll be refining our ability to evaluate social research. And we’ll we preparing ourselves
for our own research projects in subsequent courses by learning the process and nuts and bolts of
scientific research and by conducting a research project as a group.
Babbie states that one of the virtues of science is open-mindedness. Therefore we’ll work to move
beyond “common sense” thinking based upon our own experiences to broaden our minds and question
what we “know” and how we know it.
Course Objectives
 To examine the philosophical foundations of social scientific research
 To provide an understanding of how sociologists create, describe, disseminate and refine new
knowledge in their disciplines
 To gain an in-depth understanding of and practice with the basic concepts of social scientific
research
 To become familiar with the scientific process by doing research
 To be better able to recognize, evaluate, apply and formulate explanations central to the
sociological field, thus being more critical in our thinking
1
Earl Babbie, The Practice of Social Research, page xxiii.
Required Texts:
How It’s Done: An Invitation to Social Research (3rd edition) by Alder and Clark. Thomson-Wadsworth
Publishing. ISBN: 0-495-09338-6 (978-0-495-09338-1)
The Sociology Student Writer’s Manual. (5th edition) by Johnson, Rettig, Scott and Garrison.
Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishing ISBN: 0-13-192851-1
Course Requirements
You will be required to do the following in a satisfactory manner:
 3 exams (worth 100 points each; 43% of final grade) These exams may be short answer, multiple
choice, or essay (or a combination of the three)
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Final exam (cumulative, worth 100 points; 14% of final grade)
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Unannounced in-class quizzes and occasional homework assignments (worth 10 point each;
approximately 100 total; 14% of final grade). On occasion, I will be giving a quick quiz based on
your readings at the beginning of class for which the reading material was assigned. You will be
given a question based on what you should have read for that day. These will be unannounced, so
please have all reading completed before class. At other times you may have a homework
assignment to complete out of class. You cannot make up missed in-class quizzes. Homework
will be accepted late only if verifiable written excuse is provided.
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Completion of a research project; more details on these assignments to be announced as we go.
You will work with a partner to complete a research project that combines both quantitative and
qualitative components. There will be work to be done out of class for this. Note: many of the
deadlines are in the schedule to follow – do not get behind on this. Please see me before little
problems become huge (Worth 25 points for each assignment; 100 points possible total; 14% of
final grade)
o Introduction and literature review (25 points)
o Questions for interviews and completion of interviews (all interviews will be taped and
one will be transcribed verbatim) (25 points)
o Questionnaire work: final version of questionnaire, questionnaires distributed and data
gathered, and analysis of data from questionnaires (univariate analysis printed on a copy
of your questionnaire) (25 points)
o Draft of final paper (25 points)
A grade for final paper will be given separately (14% of final grade)
(another 100 points possible: 75% for final paper + 25% for Powerpoint presentation)
Evaluations
Your final average for the course will be calculated by taking the total number of points you have
received divided by the total number of points possible (approximately 700). Your final grade will be
based on the following:
90 – 100 % = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
59% or below = F
Course Policies
Do not miss exams. If you know ahead of time that you will be absent on exam day, you can contact me
to arrange for an alternative time for the exam. If you are absent for an exam, you must have a verifiable
written statement of illness or emergency (yours, your children's, or a close family member’s) from a
qualified medical professional in order to take a make-up exam (sorry, but this means I'll ask for proof of
funeral attendance also). You must provide this verifiable excuse in order to take a make-up exam. There
will be no make-up for the final exam. If you arrive after I have distributed an exam I may not allow you
to take the exam (no one will be allowed to start an exam after the first person has finished). So please
show up on time!
Be prepared when you come to class. Have assignments read, be ready for the quiz, and have any
homework ready to turn in or discuss at the beginning of class. If I find you working on your
assignment in class you will receive a zero for that assignment. In-class quizzes will begin as soon as roll
has been taken. If you are late for class, and the quiz has been completed, you will not be able to make up
the assignment.
Class Attendance according to the TTU handbook
“A student is expected to attend each meeting of every class for which he/she is registered. Each
instructor is responsible for explaining, in writing, the practice in the treatment of absences at the
beginning of each course. Regular class attendance is a definite part of the total performance required for
the satisfactory completion of any course, and an unsatisfactory attendance record may adversely affect
the final grade recorded for the course. When, in the opinion of the instructor, the attendance record of a
student becomes unsatisfactory, the Office of Student Affairs will be notified. Unsatisfactory class
attendance may result in the student's being dropped from a course with a grade of "F." A student who is
unable to return to classes due to an emergency or serious accident should notify the Office of Student
Affairs. A student who cannot avoid an absence from a class for any other reason is expected to assume
the responsibility of explaining his absence to the instructor and for making arrangements to complete the
work missed. Tardiness is recorded as an absence.”
I will take roll (before class, after class or in some other fashion). You will find it very hard to keep up if
you do not come to this class. And you will not make your partner very happy if you are consistently
absent (and I can tell you from experience that good attendance DOES matter). However, I will not make
you come to class, either by “giving you points” if you attend or “taking points away” if you don’t. I will
say that if your final grade is border-line, good attendance will be taken into consideration. Do note that
if you stop coming to class I am required to report this to student affairs and your financial aid may be
affected. If you are experiencing a situation that is resulting in your missing class please come speak with
me before too much time has passed.
Remember: No late homework will be accepted without a written verifiable excuse (if accepted, one
point will be deducted for each day late, including day due). Assignments for your research project will
be accepted late if absolutely unavoidable, with five points deducted for each day late (including the
day due).
Odds and Ends:
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It is just plain rude to sleep in class or talk with your classmates while the rest of us are
trying to concentrate. Prepare to be asked to leave.
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Absence policy is explained above. I am not responsible for making you aware of what you
have missed should you be absent. Try to get notes, assignments, etc from your partner or
another classmate. Then feel free to see me anytime you need clarification or if you have
questions, or if you just want to discuss the course material.
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Remember to turn off all cell phones when coming to class; same goes for iPods and other such
devices. PLEASE, do not check or send text messages or play games on your phone during class.
Do not use your cell phone in any way while taking an exam. You will receive a grade of 0 for
the exam if this happens.
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Please do not have your laptop up and running during class, unless you are using it
for SOC 3900 class work.
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Please act in a professional manner while in class. Getting up and walking out for restroom,
phone calls, etc except in cases of emergency is annoying and disruptive. Please refrain from this
if at all possible.
Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of all students in their participation of this course.
Any form of academic dishonesty (cheating on exams, copying the work of someone else, plagiarism,
faking the research project assignments, etc.) will result in your receiving a zero (0) for the work. You
will be working with a partner, and many assignments will be completed together. If I do ask you to
submit your own work make sure that your content is not too similar or exact as someone else’s. In
addition, do NOT copy work from another source (such as the internet or a journal) and make no attempt
to give credit to the author(s). You will not receive credit for the assignment if you do not reference your
sources. We’ll discuss this, but a good rule of thumb is that when you use more than three words in
sequence without proper citation, or if you represent an idea as your own when it is not, you have
plagiarized. ALWAYS cite your source if you use quotations and when you summarize someone else’s
work. This is serious stuff and I have a zero tolerance policy. You will also receive “no credit” if I
see you cheating on an exam/quiz (no questions asked). In all cases, you may be turned over to academic
misconduct if the offense is serious enough.
Disability Services: Students who need assistance with class should notify me immediately and should
contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). An Accommodation Request (AR) should be completed
as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first week of the course. I will do anything necessary to
assist in making the course comfortable for you. The ODS is located in the Roaden University Center,
Room 112; phone 372-6119.
Kids in Class: I realize that there are times when it is necessary to bring children to class. This usually
doesn’t present a problem as long as they are not disruptive or sick enough to be contagious.
Inclement Weather: Tech rarely closes for snow but use good judgment; do not risk your life. I will
make every attempt to email you if I cannot make it to class, so check your email before starting out if
there’s any doubt. For you parents out there, TTU's Campus Recreation and Fitness Center has offered
Snow Day Care in the past for children 6-15 years old (call 372-6211 for more details). I will not be in
class in the event of a tornado warning. Find a safety zone.
Topics and Course Schedule
(subject to revisions as necessary)
Jan 20, 22
Introduction to the social sciences and social scientific research. We’ll start with some basics. What is
science? What is meant by social science? What are the assumptions of science? What are the types of
social research? I’ll also introduce you to the two main approaches we’ll be working with this semester:
qualitative (field) and quantitative (survey) research.
 Read Ch 1 in “How It’s Done”(Jan 22)
 Brainstorm ideas for project; partners selected (Jan 22)
 Read pp. 1-12 in “Manual” (Jan 22)
Jan 27, 29
Theory and research: what’s the connection? Science demands objectivity, a critical, open mind, and
analytical skills. We’ll also examine the inductive and deductive processes by which science advances.
What role does theory play? What is the language of science -- The basic tools of sociological research:
concepts, variables, hypotheses, theories.
 Read Ch 2 in “How It’s Done” (Jan 27)
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Read Ch 8 in “Manual” (Jan 29)
Please have prepared, in writing, your primary idea (or ideas) for a possible research project. Be
sure to include your thoughts on the following: Why are you interested in this topic? What are
the benefits of research on this topic? What exactly do you want to explain or know more about?
Is this topic “sociological?” If so, how? Have typed, and ready to turn in (you may submit one
paper with your partner). (Jan 29)
Feb 3, 5
Now we have to decide what it is we’re interested in learning more about….how do we come up with our
research questions? We’ll be discussing the basic structure of journal articles and searching for previous
research in the library.
 Read Ch 4 in “How It’s Done”; we’ll be meeting in the library today, unless otherwise
instructed (Feb 3)
 Read Ch 4, 5, 6 and 7 in “Manual” (Feb 3)
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Practice journal article search assignment due (Feb 5)
Feb 10: Exam 1
Feb 12, 17
Social scientific research is guided by standard ethical considerations. We’ll examine these and discuss
the role of human subject review boards while completing our own Forms A (and C). We’ll also begin
discussing our literature review.
 Read Ch 3 in “How It’s Done” (Feb 12)
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Read pp. 191-196 in “Manual” (Feb 17)
Completed Forms A and C in duplicate (don’t forget your paragraph) due (Feb 17)
Feb 19, 24
More about the qualitative approach. Interviewing and observations.
 Read Ch 10 in “How It’s Done”; Ch 12 in “Manual” (Feb 19)
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Read Ch 11 in “How It’s Done” (Feb 24)
Introduction and literature review of paper due (Feb 24)
Feb 26, March 3
Qualitative analysis: what can we learn from our interviews and observations?
 Read pp. 453 - 475 “How It’s Done” (Feb 26)
 Observation assignment due (Feb 26)
March 5: Exam 2
No Class March 10 -12 (Spring Break)
March 17, 19
 Three interviews completed and one transcribed (tapes and transcripts must be turned in for
credit) [due individually]. Also, get with your partner and type up a brief paragraph addressing
the following: what did you both learn from your interview research? How does it compare to
what you’ve found in the literature? Based on your observations and/or interviews, what would
you like to ask a larger number of people? [only one paragraph per team] (March 17)
Conceiving of and measuring social behavior: conceptualization and operationalization.
 Read Ch 6 in “How It’s Done” (March 17)
March 24, 26
Constructing our questionnaire.
 List of variables (independent and dependent) and definitions for each, typed and due (March 24)
 Read Ch 9 in “How It’s Done” (March 24)
March 31, April 2
What is the logic behind “sampling?” Why do we do it? How do we do it? What conclusions can we
draw?
 Read Ch 5 in “How It’s Done” (March 31)
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Draft questionnaire due (April 2) [hopefully returned to you with comments/required revisions
April 7]
April 7: Exam 3
April 9
 Revised questionnaires due; be prepared to also turn in your draft questionnaire with your revised
version. Note: Do not distribute any questionnaires until you have final approval from me.
April 14, 16
Now that we’ve gathered our data what do we do with it? Quantitative analysis using SPSS
 Read Ch 15 in “How It’s Done”; read Ch 11 in “Manual” [pay special attention to pp. 216 – 218!
Your final paper will follow this format] (April 14)
 Bring a blank copy of your questionnaire to class (April 14)
 Have all questionnaires distributed by April 14. Bring all completed questionnaires to class on
April 16, and be prepared to hand them in, or show me, for credit
April 21, 23
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Draft of Methods section due (April 21); discussion of paper format
Have all frequency tables run on all your variables (each question on your questionnaire), AND
type this data (actual totals and percentages) on a copy of your questionnaire (April 23)
Presentations begin (April 23)
April 28, 30
 Presentations of papers (April 28, 30)
 Draft of paper due (April 30)
 Review for the final (April 30)
Final Exam: Monday, May 4, 10:30 – 12:30
This exam will be cumulative. You will need to review your past three exams as well as any material
covered since Exam 3.
Final paper due on Wednesday, May 6. No later than noon. You may, however, turn this paper in early.
Please turn in your draft along with your final paper.
A Few Research Project Requirements
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You will be working with one partner. I hope you pick your partner wisely. However,
problems can arise even in the best of situations. If you and your partner find you are
having difficulty working together, or if either of you feel there is a problem, PLEASE
LET ME KNOW ASAP. We might be able to work something out. Do NOT come to
me when the final paper is due to tell me that you never saw your partner, that he or she
never did any work, etc. You will be evaluating each other at the end of the semester
and I do take this into consideration when assigning the final grade for the project.
Having said that, the entire class will be working as one big community of scientists. We
will be critiquing, advising, and working with each other.
You can pick any topic for your research project that you wish (within reason) but it must
have some sort of sociological relevance. Your project must be approved first by me,
then by the departmental research committee (see below). We’ll brainstorm ideas in
class. To get the ol’ brain started you might pick up any Intro to Sociology book, a social
problems book, or simply think on questions/topics/issues you’ve always been curious
about. Just remember, we are interested in human social behavior.
Most of your assignments regarding this research project will be turned in together.
Make sure both your names are on whatever you are turning in.
We’ll be getting approval through our very own Sociology Department’s research
committee, and then through the University Institutional Review Board committee. You
must have this approval before any data can be collected!
Your project will be ongoing, and develop throughout the semester. You’ll do qualitative
interviewing first to give you a better sense of what questions to include on your
questionnaire (the quantitative part of the project). You will write in your final paper
how you did some exploratory work with your interviewing, but your finished product
will primarily be a quantitative paper. Chapter 11 in your Manual explains how this
paper will be structured. We’ll be reviewing this in class (and I will provide a check
sheet), but in a nutshell your finished product will contain a title page, an abstract, the
text (or main body) of the paper, references, and the appendixes (which will contain a
copy of your questionnaire filled out with your univariate analysis).
In terms of the text of your paper, you MUST have the following sections included: an
introduction, a literature review, a methodology section, a results/or analysis section, a
discussion section and a conclusion section. We will be going over this in class, also. Or
pick up any journal article…most are organized in just this way. See pp. 216 - 218 in
your Manual.
Speaking of those academic, peer reviewed, journal articles, you’ll need at least three of
them for your literature review. You will need to be sure you have the hard copies of
these articles to turn in to me when you submit your literature review for credit. You
might be able to find these in the library, or online. However, our library may not have
the articles you need, so you may have to use interlibrary loan. If you opt for this, do not
wait until the last minute. It can sometimes take up to two weeks for the library to get
what you’re requesting, but the process is easy. Interlibrary loan requests can even be
made online now via the TTU Library website. Best of all, it’s FREE.
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Your paper (both draft and final) will be double spaced, with 1 inch margins, standard
12 font. You must always include your reference page, even when turning in your
literature review.
Always use standard ASA citation format. This will be discussed in class and you can
find more information in your Sociology Student Writer’s Manual (Chapter 4).
You’ll be submitting a draft of your literature review first, then your methods section and
your completed paper later. I will give you feedback and you will redo these for the final
paper. This is not punishment! This is the way we do it. When you turn in your
literature review draft, please include the articles that you used for the literature review
part of your paper. Later when you submit the draft of your finished paper you will also
need to include the original draft of the literature review and your questionnaire filled out
with your analysis.
You will be required to have at least two crosstab tables in your findings section of your
paper. This table should have actual totals, as well as percentages for each cell.
Do not hesitate to ask me questions about anything at anytime!
I may add to this list as we go. BUT KEEP THIS SYLLABUS AND REFER TO IT
OFTEN!