COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to provide an introduction to several types of social science research methods, their applications, and limitations. In the process, we will examine how theory informs the creation of social science knowledge. The course will explore the different stages of the research process. We will begin by discussing the nature of knowledge and how it is created. We will then move to an examination of what accounts for a good "problem" in social science. From there, we will discuss the stages of a scientific investigation: literature review, research design, operationalization, data collection, preparation and analysis, and data presentation. The course will build towards a final collaborative project in which you will be required to carry out your own investigation and present it to a group.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
University Educational Objectives:
· Field Specific Knowledge and Experience
· Written Communication Skills
· Information Literacy
·
Critical
Thinking
MPPA Educational Objectives:
· Field Specific Knowledge
· Critical Thinking
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Show up for class on time.
2. Readings for the day need to be completed prior to class times: class activities, discussions, and quizzes will primarily draw upon assigned readings.
3. Talking, working, and thinking with others are large parts of this class. I encourage expressions of opinions (myself included), but there are classroom boundaries. Our class will be a safe place. That is to say, we will all treat each other in a respectful manner. Rude interruptions, hurtful insults (including racial, gender, sexuality, etc. slurs), and personal attacks will not be tolerated.
4. Academic Dishonesty: plagiarism and other forms of “cheating” violate California Lutheran University’s code of student conduct; violations will be treated according to university policy.
5. All assignments and activities must be turned in on time. Extensions will not be granted on the day the assignment is due. If you are unable to attend class when an assignment is due, you should hand it in early (to the administrative office in G-Bldg. – make sure to sign-in on their paper log and let them know that it is for my mailbox), or send it with a friend to class. Late take-home or in-class assignments will not be graded unless you have documentation of an emergency: this includes deaths in the family.
6. If an assignment is of the take-home variety, it must follow the following guidelines: be typed, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins all around, spell-checked, grammar-checked, pages numbered, and demonstrate correct citation and bibliographic format.
7. California Lutheran University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with various documented disabilities (physical, learning, or psychological). If you are a student requesting accommodations for this course, please let me know during the first two weeks of the semester and register with the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities (Pearson Library, Center for Academic Resources, Ext. 3260) for the facilitation and verification of need. I will work closely together with you and your coordinator to provide necessary accommodations.
8. Investigating Community Social Capital Project: To increase your understanding of social science methods, I will ask you to complete the exercises found in Lori Weber's "Investigating Community Social Capital" website. These assignments will correspond to the methodological approaches and theories we discussed in class. These exercises will be graded on a 3-point scale: 2 = complete/correct, 1 = some portions complete/correct and other portions incomplete/incorrect, 0 = totally incorrect/incomplete or not turned in on time. All assignments must be turned in on time.
9. Online Wiki Assignment: During the semester, I will ask you to respond to a questions based on your research to a project wiki that I will create. These entries will usually ask you conduct a web-based exercise that will help guide you in producing a final product. I will ask you to submit these entries 10 times a semester. Usually you will provide a 1-2 paragraph response to these questions. The blog posts will be graded based on their thoughtfulness, clarity, and relationship to readings and class discussion. I will drop your two lowest scores.
Each blog entry is worth up to 2 points…………3 x 10 = 30 points
10. Collaborative Research Project: for this final 15-20 page paper, you will collaborate in groups of three on a pre-selected research project. The project will require that you present a fully formulated research question, select an appropriate design, produce a fully developed literature review, collect data and present findings that situate the work in the literature. A handout will describe this assignment in greater detail.
11. Oral Presentations: you are responsible for creating a concise presentation (20 minutes) that describes in detail the results of your research projects. You will be graded primarily on your ability to communicate your findings in an engaging manner and your ability to explain how the project is of benefit to a larger scientific, professional, or popular community. A handout will describe this assignment in greater detail.
GRADES:
Your final grade for the semester will be based on total accumulated points as follows:
92 – 100 A 72 – 77 C
90 – 91 A- 70 – 71 C-
88 – 89 B+ 68 – 69 D+
82 – 87 B 62 – 67 D
