Methods of Social Research
SOCIAL SCIENCE 570

COURSE SYLLABUS
SPRING 2006
 

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Course Materials

Course Overview

Course Objectives

Course Policies

Assignments & Grading

Course Outline

 
Announcements:
 

 
General Information:
 
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Meeting Place: Kethley Hall 204
 

Instructor: Dr. Alan Barton	Telephone: (662) 846-4097
Office: 201F Kethley Hall	E-mail: abarton@deltastate.edu
Webpage: http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/vp_academic/abarton/

 
Office Hours:  The professor holds regular office hours at the following times:

      Monday:  9:00 − 10:00 am; 11:00 − 12:00 noon; 5:00 − 6:00 pm
      Tuesday:  2:15 − 3:45 pm
      Wednesday:  9:00 − 10:00 am; 11:00 − 12:00 noon
      Thursday:  2:15 − 3:45 pm
      Friday:  9:00 − 10:00 am; 11:00 − 12:00 noon

If you cannot make one of these times, contact the professor to set up an appointment.

Course Website:

Additional and updated information on the course can be found on the course website:
  http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/vp_academic/abarton/SSC470FA05/SSC470Syllabus.htm

Course Materials:

Text:  Neuman, W.L. (2006). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sixth edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.  ISBN: 0-205-45793-2.

Reader:  Babbie, E. (1986). Observing ourselves: Essays in social research. 1998 reissue. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.  ISBN: 1-57766-019-6.

The text and reader are available at the campus bookstore.  You should purchase the books, or otherwise make arrangements to access the course reading assignments.

Additional Readings:
 

Curtis, J.E., Baer, D.E., and Grabb, E.G. (2001). Nation of joiners: Explaining voluntary association membership in democratic societies. American Sociological Review, 66(6), 783–805.  Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.
 

Koeber, C. (2002). Corporate restructuring, downsizing, and the middle class: The process and meaning of worker displacement in the “new” economy. Qualitative Sociology, 25(2), 217–246.  Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.

 

Koons-Witt, B.A. (2002). The effect of gender on the decision to incarcerate before and after the introduction of sentencing guidelines. Criminology, 40(2), 297–327.  Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.

Kubrin, C.E. (2005). Gangstas, thugs, and hustlas: Identity and the code of the street in rap music. Social Problems, 52(3), 360–378. Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.

Linders, A. (2004). Victory and beyond: A historical comparative analysis of the outcomes of the abortion movements in Sweden and the United States. Sociological Forum, 19(3), 371–404.  Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.

 

Weitzer, R. and Tuch, S.A. (2005). Racially biased policing: Determinants of citizen perceptions. Social Forces, 83(3), 1009–1030. Click here for instructions on downloading or printing this article.

 

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Course Overview:
 

The purpose of this course is to familiarize you with the logic of social science inquiry, strategies of research design, and a variety of research methods.  In other words, this course is about how social scientists do research.  We will compare quantitative and qualitative approaches to social science research in terms of their epistemologies, their research design strategies, and the tools they offer for carrying out social science research.  You will engage the course material through readings, lectures, class discussions and activities, assignments and exams.

 

This course uses a participatory, learner-centered, adult education approach.  An adult education approach recognizes that YOU are responsible for your own learning.  The professor can only provide opportunities to learn, but cannot force you to learn.  You are expected to work hard in this course, meaning that for every hour of class time, you should spend at least two to three hours outside of class preparing by doing readings, assignments, studying for quizzes and exams, and thinking about the course material.

 

You are expected to take responsibility for the success of the course, that is, you should take an active interest not just in the course material, but in the course itself, making it a success for all participants.  Factors such as interest, motivation, creativity, and initiative are important elements in evaluating your performance in the course and assigning a grade.

Course Objectives:
 

After you successfully complete this course, you will be able to:

 

(1)  Find, read, understand and critique a scientific journal article.

(2)  Distinguish two methodological paradigms and explain characteristics of each;

 

(3)  Name steps in the research process and identify the basic elements of a good research design;

 

(4)  Discuss characteristics of quantitative and qualitative sampling and measurement;
 

(5)  Understand various techniques for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data;

 

(6)  Select and describe appropriate analytical techniques for quantitative and qualitative methods;

 

These objectives contribute to the overall course goal of developing critical thinking skills.  The discussions, readings, assignments and exams are designed to encourage you to develop and use higher order thinking skills, including analytical, synthetic and applied thinking.

 

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Course Policies and Expectations:

 

Responsibility:

YOU are responsible for learning the course material and for your progress in the course.  You are expected to attend class regularly and complete all of the assignments.  You are expected to know all material presented during class sessions, whether you attended the class or not.  If you miss a class session, you should check with another student to see what you missed.  “I didn’t know” is NEVER a valid excuse.  If you don’t know something, it is your job to find out.

Learning Opportunities:

You are responsible for completing all of the assigned work in this course in a timely fashion.  Assigned work is designed to provide you with learning opportunities, and all work is due at the time specified; no late assignments will be accepted, and missed assignments cannot be made up.  If you miss class or an assignment, you are making a choice that prioritizes other activities above the class, and you will receive a grade of zero for any assignment that you fail to turn in.

ALL work that you submit (except in-class work) should be typed/word processed.  If you submit a paper with more than one sheet, please attach all sheets with a staple or paper clip BEFORE you bring the assignment to class to turn in.  The instructor will NOT ACCEPT work that is handwritten or that has multiple pages that are not attached with a staple or paper clip.

Absences:

You are expected to attend all class sessions and activities.  Please make sure that you sign the roll sheet at each class meeting, as this will serve as official documentation of your attendance.  If you miss class, you must document your absence, or points will be deducted from your grade (See the information on grading attendance).  Please notify the instructor IN ADVANCE if you must miss class.  It is in your interest to provide the instructor with written notification (e.g. a note or e-mail) to document any missed classes.  It is risky simply to tell the instructor and expect him to remember.

Illnesses and Emergencies:  Illnesses and emergencies MUST be documented with a note from a doctor or other professional.  You should bring the note to the next class meeting and submit it to the instructor.  Illnesses and emergencies pertain only to the student, not to the student’s family, friends or others. 

University Activities:  If you must miss class for an official university activity, you should make arrangements with the instructor BEFORE the missed class.  Appropriate documentation is required.

Making Up Missed Work:  If you miss an exam or other assignment due to a documented illness, emergency or official university activity, a make up will be given at the end of the semester.  The make-up exam will be an oral exam with the instructor, in which you will be required to respond to a series of questions

You are responsible for all material presented in all classes, even during an excused absence.  You should get class notes from another student for all class sessions you miss.

Class Participation:

Class participation is an important element in this course.  The purpose of class discussions is to provide you with an opportunity to practice thinking skills in a safe environment.  In discussions, you are encouraged to explore ideas presented in the readings and lectures, to think about and apply concepts, and to develop arguments and evaluate evidence.

If you repeatedly engage in disruptive behaviors during class discussions, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

	• You must demonstrate appropriate respect for the opinions and ideas of other students during class discussions.  It is acceptable (and encouraged) to disagree with the perspectives of other students or the instructor, but you should phrase this to show disagreement with the idea or opinion, not with the person presenting the idea or opinion.  If you repeatedly show disrespect for other class members, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
	• Class discussions are NOT a time to chat with other students about topics not related to the course.  Talking privately with other students while the rest of the class is trying to carry on a discussion is disruptive, bothersome, and disrespectful to other students and to the professor.  If you repeatedly speak when you do not have the floor, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
	• Class is NOT a time to catch up on your sleep.  If you are not prepared to stay awake and participate in class discussions and other activities, you should not come to class.  If you continually fall asleep during class sessions, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

If you are asked to leave the classroom for disruptive or disrespectful behavior, you cannot make up any work that you miss as a result.

Electronic Devices (Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.):

Please make sure that all cell phones, pagers, and similar electronic devices are turned off during class time.  If your phone or pager repeatedly interrupts class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

DO NOT bring cell phones or other portable communication devices to class during quizzes, exams, or in-class assignments.  If the instructor sees a cell phone or other device during a quiz, exam or in-class assignment, you will receive a grade of zero on the quiz, exam or in-class assignment, and you will be asked to leave the classroom.

If you must have a cell phone or pager (e.g. if you are a volunteer fireman or emergency responder), you MUST make arrangements with the instructor in advance.

Academic Honesty:

You are expected to comply with all academic standards and ethics as defined in the DSU Bulletin and Handbook.  You are expected to do your own work in this course.  Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will NOT be tolerated.

You should be fully aware of the Course Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating.  If you are caught cheating in this course, you will be dismissed from the course with a grade of "F."  In addition, a report will be filed with the university's Vice President for Academic Affairs.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES.  Make sure you know what constitutes plagiarism and cheating BEFORE turning in any assignments.  Once you turn in an assignment, you are representing it as your own work.  If you are suspected of committing plagiarism, pleas of “I didn’t know what plagiarism was” will not be accepted.

If you are not sure what constitutes plagiarism, see the DSU Library's "Plagiarism Prevention: A Guide for Students."  The Course Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating also outlines examples of plagiarism.  If it is still unclear, see the instructor.

Special Accommodations:

Appropriate accommodations will be made for students with medical problems or diagnosed disabilities.  Have Dr. Richard Houston at Reily Student Health Center (846-4690) contact the course instructor to make arrangements.

 

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Learning Opportunities:

 

The following assignments are designed to assist you in learning the course material:

 

(1) Attendance (10 points)

 

     You are expected to attend class regularly.  You cannot learn the course material adequately if you are not in class to benefit from lectures and discussions.

     

(2) Discussion and Participation (15 points)

 

     You should come to each class session having already read and thought about the assigned material, with questions and points to discuss.  You can learn the material more easily and effectively if you actively discuss the topics with the instructor and other class members.

 

(3)  Research Proposal (30 points)
 

     You will prepare a 15-page research proposal over the course of the semester.  You can use this assignment to work on a proposal for a thesis or practical project, or you can invent an imaginary research project.  You will submit several assignments over the course of the semester which will assist you in preparing your proposal, and you will submit your final proposal at the end of the semester.

• Click here for information on preparing your research proposal.
• Click here for more information on preparing research proposals and examples of research proposals.
 

(4)  Preparation of Research Proposal (35 points)

     
Assignments pertaining to the final project are assigned throughout the semester.  You will hand in a research topic, an annotated bibliography, a concise research question, a draft of your methodological approach, and a critique of another student’s approach.  The objective is to provide you with feedback as you prepare your proposal.

• Click here for guidelines on the proposal preparation assignments.
 

(5)  Presentation of Research Proposal (10 points)

     You will prepare and give an oral presentation of your proposal to the other graduate students at the end of the semester.  Your presentation should last about 20 minutes.

 

(6) Engagement (+/- 10 points)

     

     The instructor can add or subtract up to 10 points from each student’s final grade, based on the student's overall engagement in the course.  Engaged students demonstrate qualities such as  motivation, extra effort, interest in the course material, improvement over the course of the semester, leadership, and a professional attitude and approach.  Lack of engagement is manifested by frequent absences, talking with others during class, lack of interest in the course material, failure to prepare for class, lack of participation in course activities, and an unprofessional approach to the course.
 

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Grading:

There are a total of 100 points available for the semester.  Your final score is simply the sum of all points earned over the semester.  If you accumulate 92 or more points over the course of the semester, you will get an “A” in the course.  If you accumulate 84 to 91 points, you will get a “B,” for 76 to 83 points you will get a “C,” and for 68 to 75 points will get a “D.”  If you get less than 68 points, your final grade will be an “F.”  Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.

 

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