SOC/CRJ 3610: Social Research, Spring 2010
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 Final Exam  
Blackboard down? Giving and Taking Help  
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

  • Overview & Assignments

  • Uses of Social Research

  • Theory and Research

1, 3

 Chapters 1, 2 and Appendix C

Test
Week 2

  • Using the Library

  • Ethics and Social Research

 

 Guest Speaker
Chapters 3
Film Why Scientist Cheat?

Test
Week 3

  • Selecting Researchable Topics

 

 Chapter 4  Class Discussion
Outline students are required to follow.

Test
Week 4

 Test

 

  

Test
Week 5
  • Sampling
   Chapter 5
Sample Collection

Test
Week 6

  • Measurement

  • Questionnaires and Structured Interviews

 

 Chapter 6 and 9 Test
Week 7

  • How to Write a Review of Literature

  Not in textbook, must take good notes
Read Appendix A		 Test
Week 8

Test

     Test
Week 9

  • Oral Reports

  • Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal and Case Study Designs

  • Experimental Research

   Chapters 7 and 8
Longitudinal Designs		 Oral Report
Test
Week 10

  • Experimental Research

  • Qualitative Interviewing

  • Observational Techniques

   Chapters 9, 10 and 11  
Week 11

Test

      
Week 12

  • Observational Techniques

  • Using Available Data

  • Content Analysis and Comparing Methods

   Chapters 11, 12, and 13
Research Proposal due
Late papers will be dropped one letter grade		  
Week 13

  • Content Analysis and Comparing Methods

  • Applied Social Research

  • Quantitative and Qualitative Data

   Chapters 13 and 14  
Week 14

  • Applied Social Research

   Chapter 14
Goal Attainment Scaling		  
Week 15
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Data
   Chapter 15  

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:
1. 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.  Students will give an oral report on the 7th week of class.  Papers will be submitted to the professor in order that he review it during the oral presentation.
2. A research proposal is required for this course.  A research proposal is defined as a document that describes the design, schedule and budget for conducting a research project.   The paper should be 10 to 20 pages long (excluding title and abstract page).   Attached is an outline that students are required to follow.
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.  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: 
 

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 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. 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.