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Schedule |
Spring 2002 |
Assignments |
Monday 4:30 pm - 8:20 pm Location: MGH 251 |
Seminar |
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Standards for Course Grades |
Instructor: Harry Bruce |
SPSS Resources |
email: harryb@u.washington.edu office: MGH 370 |
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| This course introduces students to a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in the social sciences and in library and information science. The course aims to engender an appreciation for the research process. Problem selection, study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation are emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge by designing and conducting a pilot research study. Research issues such as ethics, differing views of reality, the roles of the researcher and the establishment of knowledge claims will be introduced. |
| On completion of LIS 570 students will be able to: 1. identify ways in which research can inform professional practice 2. understand basic concepts, methods, terminology and definitions, in qualitative and quantitative research 3. evaluate the quality of questionnaires, interview schedules and other data collection methods 4. select an appropriate research design and carry out a small research study 5. organise, describe, present and interpret data 6. use a data analysis software package 7. understand descriptive and some inferential statistics. |
Bouma, Gary D. The Research Process. Third Edition. Melbourne: Oxford University press, 1996.
De Vaus, D.A. Surveys in Social Research. Fourth Edition. St. Leonards, NSW Allen & Unwin, 1995.
| 1. Seminar and Seminar Paper 35% Each student will present a seminar on a research design or research method. The presentation will be peer-assessed. 2. Research Study and Report 65% Due date: End of quarter Students will develop and conduct a small scale research study and report the results. It is recommended that this work be done in small groups of 3-4 students. The research study will include a qualitative research component (focus groups or individual open-ended interviews) and a quantitative component. Please use every opportunity to consult with me. I am happy to meet with students to discuss class work and course requirements. The course is structured by lectures, presentations and workshops that introduce the concepts and topics covered. Attendance at all classes is considered essential for an acceptable standard of achievement. All assessment work must be submitted on the due date. In cases where sickness, accident or other serious misadventure occurs, you should discuss the matter with me prior to the due date. Appropriate written documentation must be supplied. |
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Presentations |
Reading |
Activity/ Homework |
| 1. | 4/1/02 | Introduction to the subject - Ways of knowing and the
research process. |
Presentation # 1 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapters 1, 2 | Activity 1 |
| 2. | 4/8/02 | Research design - the first steps |
Presentation # 2 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapters 3, 4 | Activity 2 |
| 3. | 4/15/02 | Measurement - levels; quality |
Presentation # 3 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 5 | |
| 4. | 4/22/02 | Qualitative research methods; Ethics in human research |
Presentation # 4 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 10, 11 | |
| 5. | 4/29/02 | Measurement - selecting a sample |
Presentation # 5 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 7 | |
| 6. | 5/6/02 | Methods of observation - collecting data; Pre-testing the
data collection method; Research designs - seminar presentations |
Presentation # 6 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 6, 8 | |
| 7. | 5/13/02 | Analysis of data - univariate ; Seminar presentations |
Presentation # 7 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 9 | |
| 8. | 5/20/02 | Analysis of data - univariate (cont); Introduction to bi-variate
analysis; Seminar presentations |
Presentation # 8 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
De Vaus - Chapter 8, 9, 10 | |
| 9. | 5/27/02 | Memorial Day Holiday |
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| 10. | 6/3/02 | Interpreting data and drawing conclusions |
Presentation # 9 View HTML Download PowerPoint |
Bouma - Chapter 12, 13 |
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Numerical Grade |
Interpretive Statement |
| 4.0 | Excellent and exceptional work for a graduate student; work at this level is creative, thorough, well reasoned, insightful, well written, and shows clear recognition and an incisive understanding of the salient issues. Work of good professional quality. |
| 3.7 | Strong work for a graduate student; although not quite of good professional quality, work at this level shows some signs of creativity, is thorough and well reasoned, and demonstrates clear recognition and good understanding of the salient issues. |
| 3.3 | Competent and sound work for a graduate student; well reasoned and thorough, but not especially creative or insightful (or creativity is poorly developed); shows adequate understanding of the issues, although that understanding may be somewhat incomplete. This is the graduate student grade that indicates neither exceptional strengths nor exceptional weakness; hence it is the grade for "standard" graduate student performance. |
| 3.0 | Adequate work for a graduate student; moderately thorough and well reasoned, but some indication that understanding of the important issues is less than complete and perhaps inadequate in other respects, but the work is above the minimal expectations for the course. |
| 2.7 | Borderline work for a graduate student; barely meets the minimal expectations for the course; understanding of salient issues is incomplete and overall performance, if consistently at this level, would be below the level of adequate graduate level performance. |
