SOC/CRJ 3610: Social Research, Summer 2008
Professor: Stephen M. Marson, Ph.D., ACSW
Office: D. F. Lowry 322; 521-6475  Inclement weather: (910) 521-6888
Office Hours: by appointment
Course Prerequisite: SOC 1020 or SOC/CRJ 2400
Course Description: This course is designed to develop an understanding of the basic research methods available to social scientists. The principal purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with these methods in order to aid the critical analysis of social science research from academia, government agencies, the media and other sources. The student will be given the opportunity to put into practice what they have learned by conducting a survey, analyzing the data, and presenting the results at the end of the semester.  This class utilizes Blackboard for communication, posting of electronic readings, and turning in assignments.
 
Table of Contents
Assignments Course Objectives Late material
Attendance Policy Course Outline Plagiarism
Bibliography by Objectives Final Exam Program Objectives
Blackboard down? Giving and Taking Help Portfolio Assignment
Cell Phones Grading Students with Disabilities
Computers Interlibrary loan Text
 

Course Objectives

1. Aid in developing an understanding of research methods in the social sciences.

2. Help with the critical evaluation of research from several different sources.

3. Develop a basic competence in critiquing and developing social science research projects.

4. Develop skills in applying specific research methods to appropriate problems.

 

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Date Topic Course Objectives  Activities & Readings  Outcome Measures
Week 1
  • Uses of Social Research

  • Theory and Research

  • Selecting Researchable Topics

1, 3

Lecture, Film and Test

Read chapters 1, 2 and 4

Test

Week 2
  • Ethics and Social Research

  • Sampling

  • Measurement

 

Read Chapters 3, 5 and 6

Test

Week 3
  • Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal and Case Study Designs

  • Experimental Research

  • Questionnaires and Structured Interviews

 

Read Chapters 7, 8, 9

Test

Week 4
  • Oral Reports

  • Qualitative Interviewing

  • Observational Techniques

  • Using Available Data

 

Read Chapters 10, 11, 12

Test

Week 5
  • Oral Reports

  • Content Analysis and Comparing Methods

  • Applied Social Research

  • Quantitative and Qualitative Data

 

Read Chapters 13, 14, 15

Test

 

Final Exam: Will be on Blackboard.  In case of a technical problem, a three day window of opportunity will be offered.  The class will select the dates on the second day of class.

Required Texts: Adler, Emily Stier & Roger Clark. 2008. How It’s Done: An Invitation to Social Research. Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN: 0-495-09338-6
About Computer Usage: Students are required to have an email account to submit and receive assignments.  Students may apply for an account on Snappy (name of our computer) at no cost.  Merely complete the  "New User Account" form found at http://www.uncp.edu/ucis/accounts/.   To use and check email, go to http://webmail.uncp.edu/.
Assignment: Review three article from the approved list.    Direct access to printed articles is available.  If you have an article you would prefer to review, show it to the professor on the second day of class.   Each article must be review by using the approved outline.   An example of how a final product should look is also available.  The reviews are due on the 4th Thursday of the class.   All must be submitted as a hard copy.  Electronic copies will not be accepted.   A test will be given at the end of class on every Thursdays.   Five tests.
Cell Phone Policy: Students are not permitted to conduct phone conversations during class time.  Students are not permitted to have cell ring during class time.   Students who use conduct a phone conversation or allow their phones to ring during class time will be drop 10 points on the next quiz or 5 points for their final exam.
Attendance Policy

Attendance and class participation are critical to the learning and integration of materials. Therefore, the Social Work Department has implemented the following policy. There are no excused absences.  A student will fail the class upon the seventh absence for day classes and the fourth absence for evening class (for three hours courses). Students are therefore encouraged to be mindful of absences and make every effort to be in attendance. Students are expected to have read assigned material prior to the class. Students are also expected to participate in class discussion, exercises, “minute” papers, and any Blackboard discussions that may be announced.  Students are considered in attendance only if present for the entire class. Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive will be dealt with by the instructor.  Attendance will be used as a criterion in determining the final grade.  (Present 1 point; Tardy 1/2 point; Not present 0 points)  For more details see “Class Attendance” in The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Grading Components Scale:  Class Presentations 30% (Portfolio Assignment );  Tests 40%;  Article Reviews 40%  Class Participation 20%.
 

A 92-100
B 82-86
C 72-76
D 62-66
A- 90-91
B- 80-81
C- 70-71
D- 60-61
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
D+ 67-69
F 0-59

Giving and Taking Help
The practice of social work includes two important concepts: “process” and “outcome”. Outcome is the degree of success in achieving a goal. Process includes the hard work and elf-discipline a social worker employs in achieving a goal. The social work faculty feel that the “process” is as significant as the “outcome”. When one student assists another by sharing projects, term papers, book reports, reaction papers and other assignments, the benefit of the “process” are usurped.  The student who recycles the assignments is denied the opportunity to enhance his/her self-discipline and work habits. Simply stated, Don’t share your work with other students. The social work faculty considers such behavior as cheating a violation of the NASW Code of Ethics and a violation of the Student Honor Code. Students have the responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code..

 

Students With Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible.  All discussions will remain confidential.  Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services,  DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695.

When Blackboard is down:  Occasionally, the technology for online doesn't work as it should.  During the last year, I have experienced a great deal of problems sending and receiving email.   If you email me and do not get a reply with 2 working days (weekends don't count), there is a good chance either, I never received your email or you never received my reply.   If you believe that this has happened to you, stop by my office.   Don't rely on voice mail.

Bibliography: The only bibliography for this course can be found in the assignment section.