Sociology 425 Research Methods University of Nevada, Reno

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1 General Course Information Instructor: Prof. Marta Elliott Office: Mack Social Science 306 Office Hours: XXX Phone: Sociology 425 Research Methods University of Nevada, Reno Teaching Assistant: XXX Office: Mack Social Science XXX Office Hours: XXX Phone: XXX XXX Other details Course location: XXX Course meetings times: XXX Course web page: This is a Web Campus enhanced class Course Description This course teaches students the major techniques and problems encountered in both quantitative and qualitative research in the social sciences. Course Prerequisites: Student must have taken SOC 101 and have junior or senior standing and have completed all General Education courses that build Core Objectives 1-3 and satisfy Core Objectives 4-8. Silver Core Objectives This course satisfies Silver Core Objective 14: Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills developed in previous Core and major classes by completing a project or structured experience of practical significance via the following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): SLO #1: Students will be able to critically evaluate social-scientific research studies so as to judge the relative validity, or lack thereof, of social-scientific empirical results. SLO #2: Students will be able to articulate an original research question that can be translated into a researchable design

2 SLO #3: Students will be able to create a complete research proposal including an introduction, literature review, formal statement of research question/hypothesis, research design, hypothetical results, implications, and directions for future research. This project can form the basis of a senior research thesis, which is optional for students majoring in sociology. How will the student learning outcomes related to these Core Objectives be assessed? Assessment of SLO #1: Percent correct/acceptable performance on exam or quiz questions testing student s ability to detect strengths and weaknesses in different types of social-scientific research designs. Assessment of SLO #2 and 3: Successful completion of a multi-stage project that entails a completed research proposal including an original testable research question, a literature review, formal statement of research question/hypothesis, a proposed research method and a plan for data analysis, hypothetical results, implications, and directions for future research. How is Silver Core Objective 14 satisfied? Teaching Techniques and Student Experiences Students will learn, via lectures, discussion, and assigned readings, about the basic mechanics and the strengths and weaknesses of each of the major social-scientific research methods. They will develop and demonstrate this knowledge and ability to critically assess research designs via small group exercises and short written assignments. Students will complete a major written project over the course of the semester that entails an original research proposal (see more details on page 4) based on their own original research question. This project will include seven separate written assignments each turned in twice (first draft and revised draft), and culminating in a complete research proposal. This proposal will place students who wish to complete a senior thesis in sociology in the position of having a research proposal with which to plan their thesis research. Required Course Materials Babbie, Earl The Basics of Social Research, 5 th edition. Thomson-Wadsworth. Wysocki, Diane Kholos Readings in Social Research Methods. 3rd edition. Thomson Wadsworth. Other Readings All other readings are or will be available on the course WebCampus page.

3 Course Requirements Assigned Reading: assigned readings must be completed prior to class on the day for which they are assigned. Attendance/Participation: Students are required to attend class and participate in class regularly. Students who are uncomfortable participating in class are encouraged to meet with the instructor outside of class to discuss their concerns. Discussion leadership: All students will be required to lead one class discussion on assigned readings (see WebCampus for details). Quizzes: There are twelve quizzes that consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. Each quiz is worth 5 points. Although there are a total of twelve quizzes, only the first 10 quizzes are included as part of the regular course grade. Thus, students may earn up to 10 extra-credit points by taking all 12 quizzes. No make-up quizzes will be given in this course. Research Proposal: All students will prepare a complete research proposal over the course of the semester as a series of short assignments, all of which will be reviewed and revised (see course schedule and remainder of syllabus for due dates and detailed instructions). Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned dates. Assignments that are turned in late will be discounted by 10 % of their point value per school day (Monday through Friday), including assignments that are turned in after class on the due date. Furthermore, assignments will also be discounted by 10 % of their point value per school day when a student drops off the paper on time but does not attend class that day. Examinations: There will be one mid-term and one final exam. They will consist of multiple choice, true/false and short answer and short essay questions. Students may take an exam early only under severe circumstances as determined by the instructor. Make-up exams will be given only if the instructor is notified of a valid excuse prior to the exam. The format of the make-up exam will be at the discretion of the instructor and will be given at the instructor s convenience. Scantrons: You will need 14 scantrons (form 882-ES) for the quizzes and exams. Grading Course Requirement Point Value Percent of final grade Attendance/participation 50 10% Discussion leadership 50 10% Quizzes 50 10% Research Proposal % Mid-term exam % Final exam % Total %

4 The following scale will be used to determine letter grades, which include plusses and minuses: A % C % A % C % B % D % B % D % B % D % C % F below 60% Statement on Academic Dishonesty: "Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the University of Nevada, Reno General Catalog." Statement of Disability Services: "Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building, Suite 101) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations." Statement on Audio and Video Recording: "Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded. Statement for Academic Success Services: "Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (775) , Tutoring Center (775) , and University Writing Center(775) These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student." Research Proposal (dates will be added, detailed instructions for each assignment are on Web Campus) Assignment First draft due Returned 2 nd draft due Point value Statement of Interest 10 Reference List 10 Review of Literature 50 Research Question/Hypothesis 10 Proposed Method 50 Hypothetical Results 50 Complete draft with discussion 20

5 Reading assignments, Quiz dates, and other important dates Read by: Topic Babbie text Wysocki reader Quizzes Overview of Methods Chapter 1 Pp Paradigms, theory, research Chapter 2 Pp Theory/Research/Proposals Chapter 15 Pp Ethics Chapter 3 Pp Ethics Pp Research design Chapter 4 Pp Research design Pp Conceptualization Chapter 5 Pp Measurement Pp Indexes Chapter 6 Pp Scales and typologies Pp Sampling Chapter 7 Pp Types of samples Pp In-Class Round Robin of Research Questions MIDTERM EXAM SPRING BREAK Experiments Chapter Experiments Pp Surveys Chapter Surveys Pp Field research Chapter 10 Pp Field research Pp Content analysis Chapter 11 Pp Secondary data PP Evaluation research Chapter Evaluation research Pp Qualitative data analysis Chapter Quantitative data analysis Chapter LAST DAY FINAL EXAM, 12-2 PM in the classroom