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Research Method Report


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Assignment 2:  Research Methods Report

 

The goal of this assignment is to introduce you to a number of research designs and methods. You will study one topic in depth and become familiar with several others through the class discussions.

A sign-up sheet with possible topics will be circulated in class and posted here. You may select a date where you may choose your own topic; some suggestions are listed at the bottom.  If you are interested in something that is not listed, the instructor is happy to discuss an alternative.

Prepare a one-page description of the design/method.  It may include an annotated list of up to two recommended readings.  The written report is (usually) due on Tuesday of the week you sign up for; submit the report to E-Submit using the link below.  Reports will be published here prior to the discussion in class so that everyone has a chance to download and review them.  On Thursday of that week you will give a five minute talk to the class summarizing your design/method. During weeks that class doesn't meet, reports will be presented on the following Tuesday.

A social science research textbook, Handbook of research design & social measurement, by Delbert C. Miller and Neil J. Salkind, has been placed on 24-hour reserve at Odegaard Library for your reference.  Depending on your topic, this may be a useful starting point.

Research Methods Topics and Schedule

 

DATE DUE

DATE DISCUSSED

TOPIC

PRESENTER

 

January 14

January 16

 

Think-aloud protocols

Memo Cordova 

Participant observation

Tim Held 

Children

Carol Edelfsen & Jen Reichert 

Ethical issues

SJ Alexander

Play as research Adrienne Bourne

January 21

January 28

Magnitude estimation; measuring attitudes or satisfaction

Cathy Billings

Structured interviews and interviewing techniques

Sheri Skuja & Madolyn Nichols

Qualitative case study

Beverly Stuart

Delphi studies

Leah Cushman

Empirical Qualitative Research

Justin Otto

January 28

January 30

Unobtrusive data analysis

Lorie Vik

Content analysis

Amy Mihelich 

Sampling in qualitative studies

Scott Beveridge 

Quasi-experiments 

Heidi Andress

Action research

Teri Tada

February 4

February 6

Ethnographic studies

Kaijsa Calkins

Social network analysis

Summer Hayes   

Ethical issues

Justin Wadland

Factorial design

Niels Bartels

Card sorting Nicole Elger

February 11

February 18

Cognitive work analysis

Roberta Munoz 

Critical incident method

Jim Foti 

In-depth interviews

Beth Lahickey & Amy Snidarich

Discourse analysis

John Vosmek

February 18

February 20

Directed web searching

Maren McDaniel 

Discourse analysis

Dara Smith

Action research

Linda Klein

Self-administered questionnaires

Greta Rieber

February 25

February 27

Cluster analysis

Scott Rawlings

Graphical presentation techniques

Clifton Ng

Discourse analysis

Jon Haupt

Grounded theory

Gene Polhamus

Critical theory in Communication and Information Science Kathleen Crosman

 

Turning in your Research Methods Report

Please report any problems to your friendly webmaster: kprater@u.washington.edu

Turn in your Research Methods Report via the Catalyst E-Submit tool. 

This is a short but multi-step process.  The first dialogue box will default to turning in one document for the assignment called Research Method Report.  This is correct; press "Next".  In the next dialogue box, create a title for the document that includes your last name, attach the file, and "Submit Documents." Please name your file using your last name!

Help using E-Submit.

Assessment Criteria
 

 

Content and handout:

 

1. a clear, concise description of the design/method

2. clear, concise presentation of the limitations and strengths of the design/method 

3. clear description of how you might use the design/method or why it is not useful 

4. brief description of criteria for assessing quality of design/method

 

Presentation skills:

 

1. ability to pique interest in the design/method  

2. ability to stimulate questions and/or discussion